Speakers at a seminar yesterday called upon the polltl clans to co-operate with each other to decide the future of the parliamentary democracy In Bangladesh

They said the parliamentary form of governrrtent Is not only a system but also a way ot life The discussants also said the country needs education, fair leadership, freedom of the Ju dietary, an uninfluenced elec bon commission and above all the practice of democratic norms to Institutionalise de mocracy in our country

They were addressing a seminar on “Working of Par llamentary Democracy In Bang ladesh" at the Social Science Gallery at the Jahangirnagar University (JU) Organised by the Department of Government and Politics of the JU. It was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the Dhaka University Prof Emajuddln Ahmed and Mainul Hosein as special guests. The acting VC of the JU Prof M A Hossain attended the seminar as chief guest.

Presided over by the Chair person of the Department of Government and Politics of the JU Dilara Chowdhury, the seminar was also attended by the Chittagong University VC Prof R I Chowdhury. Holiday

editor Enayetullah Khan. Dr Mlzanur Rahman Shelly. Dr Tiasim Hossain of the JU. Prof Ataur Rahman of the DU and Prof Shamsur Rahman of the Rajshahi University

They said independence of the Judiciary Is one of the essential Issues in a demo cratlc society Democracy had been introduced in the country but It was yet to be Institution alised they added

Initiating discussions at the seminar. Prof Emajuddln Ahmed said the demand for a caretaker government was raised at a lime when the present Parliament Is trying to become effective Hie Idea of a caretaker government Is a Western concept, but the way It la being demanded here Is not found anywhere In the world

"No Parliament has com pleted its tenure after Independence of Bangladesh The political leadership will be re sponsible If the p'resent Parliament is dissolved.' Prof Ah med said

A renowned political scientist. Prof Ahmed suggested the government and Opposition should resolve the stalemate through discussions, which is the essence of parliamentary democracy.

“1 hope that good sense will prevail on them and the spirit

of democracy will be upheld he said

In his paper. Ataur Rahman of Dhaka University said the Opposition demand for a caretaker government and impa tience on the part of the gov ernment had resulted In a crisis for parliamentary democ racy tn the country

He expressed his appre henslon that a third force might take advantage of the current political crisis

Barrister Mainul Hoseln said a democratic government elected by the people can be dislodged by the people only In another election or by two thirds majority In Parliament

“It Is dangerous to hand over state powers to an un elected government and any such suggestion should not be taken lightly,' he said

About the boycotting of Parliament by the Opposition. Barrister Hoseln said the de mand for a caretaker govern ment “certainly undermines the democratic process * The government which has an absolute majority In Parliament has nothing to fear, he said

“It Is nothing less than an attempt to overthrow the elected government lock, stock and barrel." Barrister Hoseln commented on the Opposition demand