Staff Correspondent

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Monday said the interim government has set a worrisome and risky precedent by compromising policy decisions in response to self-interested radical threats.

The organisation expressed deep concern saying that the decision to cancel the coordination committee to revise all textbooks, prepared and printed by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), contradicts the vision of a non-discriminatory ‘New Bangladesh’ and its non-communal spirit.

This is indicative of the interim government’s compromising stance, said TIB in a press statement.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said in response to the multi-dimensional and unprecedented human rights violations by the authoritarian government, and the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs, the students and people have paved the way for the creation of a ‘New Bangladesh’—a nation committed to the peaceful coexistence and equal rights of all, regardless of religious, social, or cultural diversity.

This ‘New Bangladesh’ will be non-discriminatory, non-sectarian, transparent, accountable, and well-governed, where no religious or ideological doctrine will be imposed on anyone, he said adding, “We are alarmed by efforts to spread malice, hatred, and hostility against non-communal spirit and pluralism, which are gaining momentum.”

“The interim government is compromising by succumbing to the propaganda and threats posed by self-interested factions. A troubling example of this is the cancellation of the coordination committee to revise textbooks, which not only represents a concession to fundamentalism and communalism but also betrays the very aspirations of ‘New Bangladesh’ for a non-discriminatory, non-communal, and democratic future,” he said.

Dr. Zaman further said, “No matter how overpowered the oppressive and communal forces that have emerged from the ruins of authoritarianism are, and no matter how hard they try to impose their discriminatory ideology on society, we firmly believe that the mainstream of the anti-discrimination movement will not allow such forces to thrive. The strength of the interim government lies in the core values of the anti-discrimination movement—pluralism, inclusiveness, equality, and non-communalism.”

TIB expressed hope that the government will continue to uphold its responsibility to reform the state and steadfastly avoid compromising with all forms of malign forces, especially communal and fundamentalist factions, he said.