Rumin Farhana, an independent member of parliament from Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, has strongly criticized the partisanship in the appointment of the governor of Bangladesh Bank and vice-chancellors of public universities. He said that in other South Asian countries, highly educated and qualified people are appointed in important institutions like the central bank, while in Bangladesh, appointments are being made on the basis of party considerations.
He said these things while participating in the discussion of the motion of thanks on the President’s speech in the National Parliament on Tuesday.
Rumin Farhana said, in South Asian countries, PhD degree holders from Princeton or California are appointed to the central bank and after the formation of the new government in Bangladesh, the governor has appointed a member of the election management committee of BNP and a MD of a sweater factory. The same is the case in the appointment of university vice-chancellors. Party VC-ProVC appointed. Partying is not a polluting thing, but not being appointed is unfortunate.
Referring to the July movement, this independent member of parliament said, ‘This parliament is the sacrifice of thousands of people. Who are these people, because of whose sacrifice today we have come to the Parliament as MPs, some as ministers, some as opposition parties. What was their dream? They knew that no one would become an MP-minister in return for their sacrifice. They were the ordinary people of the country. They dreamed of creating a new Bangladesh. He dreamed of building new politics and giving birth to new ideas. He dreamed of a Bangladesh with everyone freed from the huge discrimination of the last few years. I think this Parliament is grateful to them.’
Rumin Farhana also questioned the balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. He said, ‘There have been repeated discussions to balance the powers of the President and the Prime Minister. The government party, the opposition party, before and after the 24th coup, it has always been said that the balance of power should be brought. BNP has made a related proposal in its Vision 2030 and 31 points. Because of this, there was an expectation that the President would be able to go beyond the Cabinet approved speech and deliver his own speech. But we saw, this time too the Cabinet had to give an approved speech. We could not give that much freedom to the President…so what balance are we talking about?’
Referring to the July movement, Rumin Farhana further said, ‘Women were at the forefront of this movement. We got a new generation of young faces. Why did those women disappear before a year? I am leaving the question to this parliament of seven women parliamentarians. Women are needed in the front line of processions, women stand as shields in front of tear shells and lathicharges, women cannot pass without their help in turbulent times and when everything is fine, women become “objects of trolls”. A woman’s dress, a woman’s face, a woman’s words, a woman’s smile—everything then becomes a source of laughter. If anyone has thought of creating a new Bangladesh by leaving 52 percent people behind, it is never possible; No day is possible.’
