The New Nation - Internet Edition

DU Correspondent

Sheikh Rehana's daughter Tulip Siddiq yesterday asked the country's politicians to make access of grassroots to politics easy for a better and participatory democracy in Bangladesh.

She made the call as the key speaker at a special talk on 'Bringing About Change: US and Bangladesh Elections-2008' at RC Mojumder auditorium of Dhaka University (DU).

DU Social Sciences Faculty organised the discussion where Faculty Dean Harun-or-Rashid, International Relations Department teacher Delwar Hossain and Peace and Conflict Department teacher Dalim Chandra Barman were present among others.

Sharing her experience in the recent US presidential elections, Tulip said the desire of the people of Bangladesh and the people of US was almost same as both the nations seek for change and the complete taste of democracy.

"I came to know talking to the people of all walks of life here that they want to live in a stable and peaceful atmosphere. They yearn for change in the culture of politics. They do not want politics of revenge and violence", Tulip said in line with her observation in the December 29 parliamentary elections.

Tulip thinks that the people have spontaneously cast their votes for the AL-led grand alliance for rapid development, more women members in parliament and decrease in prices of essentials.

In reply to a query, Tulip said she supported the Democratic Party in USA and campaigned for Obama in the presidential elections, as the party is against the Iraq war, formulates public-oriented healthcare policy, friendly foreign policy and tends to do what the people want.

Regarding the trial of war criminals, Tulip, who completed her master degree in English Literature from the Kings College in London and now a master student in Government, Policy and Politics, said they must be tried in the soil of Bangladesh.

She said to the youths, 'You the young people are the future of Bangladesh and can contribute most to bring about change in here'.

"People will speak out and take the decision if any elected government does not do what the people want", Tulip said in reply to another query.