07/19/2024
Ladies and Gentlemen,Today, I stand before you to address a pressing and delicate issue that has gripped our nation the recent wave of student protests in Bangladesh.
While it is crucial to recognize the importance of students' voices and their legitimate demands, it is equally important to consider the broader impact of their actions, particularly when these actions result in the damage of public property.
Students have historically been at the forefront of social and political change. Their energy, passion, and idealism have often driven progress and reform. In Bangladesh, we have seen this time and again, with students playing pivotal roles in our nation's history. Their demands for better educational facilities, job opportunities, and a more inclusive political system are not only understandable but also essential for the growth and development of our country.
However, the recent trend of damaging public property as a means to have these demands accepted is deeply concerning. Public property belongs to the people it is a shared resource meant to benefit everyone, including the very students who are protesting. When public property is damaged, it is not just a financial loss, it is a loss of resources that could be used to improve our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. It is a setback for the entire community.
We must ask ourselves! What message are we sending when we destroy the very assets that are meant to uplift us? How can we build a brighter future if we are tearing down the foundations of our present?It is imperative that we find a balance between advocating for change and maintaining respect for the common good. Students have the right to be heard, and their demands deserve careful consideration.
The government and relevant authorities must engage in meaningful dialogue with student leaders to address their concerns and work towards sustainable solutions. At the same time, students must recognize that their actions have consequences and that there are more effective ways to bring about change than through destruction.Peaceful protest, constructive dialogue, and collaboration are the hallmarks of a mature and functioning democracy. Let us encourage our students to channel their passion into these avenues.
Let us support them in their quest for a better future while reminding them of their responsibility to protect and preserve the public assets that we all rely on.
In conclusion, I call upon the government, educators, parents, and students themselves to work together to find solutions that respect the needs and aspirations of our youth while safeguarding the resources and infrastructure that belong to us all. By doing so, we can create a stronger, more resilient Bangladesh one where the voices of our students are not just heard, but valued and acted upon, without compromising the common good.
Thank you.
