Open-minded approach is welcome but not caustic comments for the opposition

PRIME Minister Sheikli Hasina made two very important statements the day before yesterday, one at the Senakunja and the other in the Jatiya Sangsad when talking on the obituary reference on the dastardly killings of BDR officers.

We would like to commend her for talking to the army officers of Dhaka garrison. This was an appropriate and timely step on her part. As expected, the nearly three hours that she spent with the officers was taken up with the matters relating to the BDR mutiny, and as expected there were emotional exchanges too.

Be that as it may, it was, one is given to understand, also an occasion for a free and open discussion that allowed for the clearing up of misgivings in any quarter related to actions taken by the government following the mutiny, and the rationale and compulsions, as well as the constraints of the government, for certain actions or 'inaction'. That, some among the officers took this occasion to let off their emotions is neither unexpected not unnatural. This, we hope, has assuaged the feelings of some officers as well as helped establish equanimity among all concerned.

The speech of the prime minister during the discussion in the Jatiya Sangsad on the obituary motion in respect of the officers killed in the mutiny, has served a good purpose of informing the nation about tlie revolt and the various actions taken to quell the rebellion and all that have followed since.

However, we have been somewhat disappointed by the tone of the PM's speech in the Parliament which, we feel, could have been less caustic and cynical towards the leader of the opposition. While a touch of sarcasm may liven up a parliamentary speech, that was neither the time nor the place to offer riposte to all the opposition points. In that solemn and sombre occasion what we wanted to see was moderation in the deportment of the leader of the House. The opposition could also have shown greater maturity.

We were quite frankly dismayed to notice the rather rancorous tone in the speech of the members from both sides of the aisle. That was not in keeping with the solemnity of the subject under discussion. It was sad to see the members delving into the past unnecessarily and missed no opportunity in having a dig at each other. Can no occasion pass off without exchange of diatribes, even an occasion as sombre as obituary reference?

To unite the nation it is for the PM to take the lead in encouraging the opposition to participate in floor discussions openly, and not to be inhibited by the type of comments we heard being made by the treasury bench.