2024-08-07 15:43:42
Sheikh Hasina resigned in the face of the popular uprising and left the country. The winds of this turbulent time are blowing across the country. Presenter, model-actress Neel Hurejahan declared solidarity with the students since the beginning of the anti-discrimination student movement. He was also vocal on the streets.
RisingBD: How are you celebrating this victory?
Neel Hurejahan: We were all very happy to hear the news when we found out that the students got what they wanted. Even moments before hearing the news, we were thinking that if it didn’t happen, many more people would die. Many people write their name and address on the back of their mobile phone before leaving home. I myself kept my identity paper in my pants pocket. In such a situation, the news of victory was very happy. The sentiment was the same till it reached Caravanbazar with the procession. Since then things have been different for us. Because vandalism started happening in public buildings. The more terrible thing is that Hindu houses and temples were attacked. Apart from that, many people attack with personal outrage and political outrage. Thieves and robbers who are there are also starting to take advantage. Because at this time there is no law and order force in the country.
RisingBD: What do you think should be done in the current situation?
Neel Hurejahan: The entire issue of this movement is a matter of analysis. It cannot be said that what is happening now is totally unexpected. This is normal after the fall of a government. There is no reason to think that all the people of the country are good. We live in a country where even if you go to pray in a mosque, you fear having your shoes stolen. But that’s what the police are for. In fact, there is a problem, the police have played some role in the last few days, for which now they have come under the wrath of the people. I think it is temporary. Extremists are doing various activities, you cannot convince them all. They are killing many policemen, maybe the policemen had no fault. The police station was attacked, cars vandalized. Still we have to think, now if your house is robbed, then who will you call?
RisingBD: Who is responsible for this chaos?
Neel Hurejahan: All this is the responsibility of the former government. Because they have created a situation that has made the police the enemy of the people. People do not trust the police. Because of which people get angry and attack them. It is chaotic. If he (former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) loved the country, if he thought about the country, he could have arranged it more nicely. But he didn’t do that.
He tried to stay in power till the end. I think, he did not understand what is happening! A media has published a report on this. He pointed to the IGP of the police and said to others, ‘Police can do it, why can’t you. Why can’t the army or others stop it!’ The police are shooting and killing, he called it a ‘good job’! After reading this report, I don’t think he is healthy.
There have been many shootings since that morning. Finally, when he saw millions of ordinary people coming, he decided to leave. He left in such a way that he created a whole chaotic situation. He did not even think about his own party leaders and workers. The day before that, 109 people were killed by announcing through the Chhatra League. He left the country in total chaos.
We are going through a very transitional period right now. This time is not unexpected. This time we need ‘law and order’. Interim government is coming. The army is there, the sooner they tighten up, the sooner everything will be fine. Hopefully, those of us who were in the movement are working in many groups. E.g.- Parliament building has been cleaned, there is no traffic on the road, students are controlling the traffic.
RisingBD: How do you expect Bangladesh?
Neel Hurejahan: We want a Bangladesh where democracy is fully established. There is so much violence between everyone because accountability is gone. It is an open secret that no one has voted properly in the last 15 years. I don’t know if you did, but I didn’t. That’s why people are impatient. For various reasons, people have stored up a lot of anger inside. In the agitation, people became very mad, revenge became rampant. But I do not feel comfort to see these.
People say, there is no law in the country, we will fix everything, we will punish. This mentality is not good. If everyone takes the law into their own hands, there will be no law. For this, a proper law and order force, a proper government is very necessary. And for that a proper voting system is needed. There will be no compromise to ensure that the vote is done properly. Be it any party.
I want educated youth to be politically aware. We want a new democratic government to be formed at this time, a fair election with the participation of all. After the election, all the parties will work together for the country. The opposition will criticize the government and the government will respond to them. We want full freedom of media.