The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at the reunion meeting of Dhaka University History Department said there could not have been the January 11 (2007) changeover if the leaders of political governments took lessons from history.

They urged all, including the political leaders and policymakers of this government, to work for bringing about changes in the society taking lessons from the past.

Inaugurating the reunion meeting, Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar said all should take lessons from history.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda said none learn anything from history since the country earned its independence till January 11, 2007. "All at the helm of affairs were engaged in looting since there was no culture of accountability practised by the people who shaped the fate of people. That culture must change now," he said.

The CEC called upon all to shun the desire of clinging to power taking lessons from the pre-1/11 era.

Organised by Dhaka University History Department Alumni Association, the meeting was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) Auditorium with President of Alumni Association Prof Dr M Mofakkharul Islam in the chair.

The meeting was also addressed by old students starting from the 1952 batch including Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin, former Adviser to the Caretaker Government Dr Akbar Ali Khan, KM Fazlul Qader, Justice Tafazzal Islam, Dr Abdul Momin Chowdhury, Prof Ahmed Kamal, Chairman of History Department and Prof Muntasir Mamun.

Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar said nobody achieved success by ignoring people and Parliament.

He said the consequences of the people who were involved with undemocratic activities were not good.

"Those who tried ruling this country trashing public opinion were all cast away by history. No nation has so far attained any glory without taking lessons from its past," he said.

The Speaker said that he is always ready to work to cement the relationship between the BNP factions whenever they are willing to sit together and talk and settle differences.

The Chief Election Commissioner said the socio-political culture in the pre-emergency era-devoid of all patriotic norms but dominated by plunderers and things- must be rejected to change the fate of the nation.

"We do not want a repeat of what the nation suffered in the pre-emergency days. I am an optimist. I am not worried about our future," he said.

Regarding forthcoming elections, the CEC firmly said the elections will be held at the appropriate time notwithstanding the varied opinions and doubts expressed by as many quarters.

Abdul Matin said famine is knocking at the door and the disaster may not be any less severe than the 1942 event. "Death counts will be fewer if the government tackles the food scarcity efficiently," he observed.

"We must be careful with the polls so that we do not get the old monsters back as the shapers of our fate. We must shun all communal practices," he said.

The first departmental reunion took place in 1988, which was followed by subsequent events in 1990, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.