PM calls for changing revenge mindset

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for a change in the culture of vengeance, urging all to focus on contributing to the country rather than seeking retaliation.

“We must change our mindset of revenge,” he said while exchanging views with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the city.

The Prime Minister added: “Let’s try to change our way of thinking. Whatever happened to me in the past cannot be undone through revenge. Instead of dwelling on retaliation, we should think about what we can do for the country. Whether we succeed or not comes later …we should move forward with a mindset of serving the nation.”

Tarique Rahman, also ruling chairman of the ruling BNP, reiterated his government's commitment to press freedom, saying, “The BNP government has repeatedly demonstrated that it has no hostility with the media. Therefore, the current government wants to ensure the freedom of the mass media. Government can make mistakes, let constructive discussions happen.”

Referring to 16 June as a significant day for Bangladesh’s newspaper industry, the Prime Minister said, “Today is an important day for the country’s media sector. On this day, all newspapers were once shut down except only four. From there, today, we are talking to so many journalist brothers.”

He said this reflected the restoration of press freedom that had once been curtailed.

“The restrictions imposed on the press at that time no longer exist. We witnessed a period when all newspapers except four were closed, and a single-party named BAKSAL was formed abolishing all political parties,” said Tarique Rahman.

He noted that after assuming responsibility for the country, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman restored multiparty democracy and removed restrictions on the media.

The 16th of June is observed in Bangladesh as the “Black Day for Newspapers”. On this day in 1975, the then BAKSAL government revoked the declarations and publication rights of all newspapers except four state-backed publications. Since then journalists and media workers have been observing the day as the “Black Day for Newspapers”.

Seeking cooperation from the media, the Prime Minister told journalists, “You can help me greatly. The government alone cannot do everything. I need your support. Without your cooperation, I could not know whether our work is progressing in the right direction or not.”

“With everyone's cooperation, we will at least be able to understand whether the work is going well or not. Or you can show the way to do good work. We all should come forward to serve the country. I seek this cooperation from you. If you cooperate, my work will be easy,” he continued.

Highlighting the growing challenge of drug abuse among youth, Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of nationwide sports, cultural activities, and innovation competitions as tools to address the issue.

“One of the major challenges facing our younger generation today is drugs. While the problem exists globally, its impact here is alarming. But the question is, how many people will we arrest, how many will we treat or counsel? We have a limited capacity and resources. So, we must find alternative ways to solve this problem,” he said.

Emphasizing the importance of nurturing future generations, Tarique Rahman said that young people aged 15 to 25 possess tremendous physical and mental energy that should be directed toward positive activities.

“Sports and cultural engagement are among the best ways to channel that energy. Unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of playgrounds across the country, including in Dhaka,” he added.

The Prime Minister referred to several government initiatives aimed at harnessing this energy of the youth, saying, “We have already launched the ‘Notun Kuri sports’ and cultural competition.”

“About 22 lakh boys and girls from across the country participated in an education division event that concluded recently. Children from all families, regardless of party or ideology, have joined in. But unfortunately, such a large-scale initiative did not receive the media attention it deserved,” he continued.

Beyond sports, the premier stressed the need to organize innovation fairs and science fairs at district and divisional levels to encourage creativity and scientific thinking among young people.

He also questioned why cultural and debate competitions are not held throughout the year in educational institutions rather than being limited to special occasions such as Victory Day or International Mother Language Day. These practices must be continued throughout the year to return the youth to a healthy lifestyle, said the Prime Minister.

Underscoring the need to address moral decline and restore social values among young people, Tarique Rahman said, “Nowadays, we see a living animal being beaten to death and 10 people capturing video of it through their mobile phones. This is an abnormal mentality.”

“We have to increase the practice of social and religious values right from the school level. The ministry of information has been instructed to conduct an awareness campaign on this issue,” he added.

Replying to a question from a journalist, the Prime Minister said that he is feeling ‘huge pressure’ in his role as the head of the government.

“Here, a (journalist) said in his speech that he is going to different places after the elections and he saw happiness in people's eyes and faces. I think I have seen the same thing. But even after that, I definitely feel a pressure of responsibility. Because, there are a lot of problems and limitations here,” he said.

At the same time, the expectations of people from different classes and professions are very high, the premier said, adding, “So I feel an impossible pressure in my role.”

Citing President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman said, “A few days ago, when I was going home from the office, I was telling those in the car with me that my father once told one of his colleagues that if the day had 48 hours, we could have done a little better.”

“Like my father, I was saying one day recently that I also think that if it had been 48 hours, rather than 24 hours, it would have been a little bit better,” he added.

Sharing his jail experiences, the Prime Minister said, “I came from prison, where I was physically and mentally tortured. If I get an X-ray to prove that I was physically tortured, it would probably show that one bone of my back is still a little misaligned.”

“But if I now blame those who are responsible for this, if I blame someone for doing this, my bone will not get healed . . . so instead of thinking about the damage that has been done, we should think about the welfare of the country,” he added.

Addressing journalists, Tarique Rahman said, “I am requesting you to please convey this message to my party leaders and activists.”

Before the discussion session, the Prime Minister attended a luncheon with journalists where he engaged in informal and open conversations with them.

Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony moderated the programme.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Minister Yasser Khan Choudhury, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Speech Writer Mahfuzur Rahman, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, Deputy Press Secretaries Mostafa Zulfiquar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu), Md Suzauddhowla and Shahadat Hossain Shadhin were present at the event.