Bangladesh activist retracts ‘pet dogs’ slur but demands urgent election reforms
Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), has withdrawn controversial remarks about journalists after facing strong criticism. His comments, which compared reporters to 'pet dogs', were later admitted as inappropriate. The apology follows wider calls for reform in Bangladesh’s political and electoral systems.
Majumdar initially sparked outrage by describing journalists in derogatory terms. Under pressure from protests, he publicly retracted the statement and acknowledged its offensiveness. His apology came as part of a broader discussion on political accountability.
He then shifted focus to Bangladesh’s electoral process, calling for urgent reforms. The Election Commission, he argued, needed restructuring to ensure fairness and impartiality. His criticism extended to political parties, which he accused of relying on black money and coercion to win votes.
During his remarks, Majumdar claimed some Election Commission officials had grown 'more Awami League than Sheikh Hasina'. He also praised the 1991 general election as the country’s fairest to date. Drawing historical parallels, he compared the recent July Uprising to the 1971 struggle for independence.
Majumdar’s withdrawal of his comments about journalists marks a rare public apology from a prominent activist. His demands for electoral reform and criticism of political corruption remain central to Shujan’s advocacy. The debate over fairness in Bangladesh’s elections is likely to continue.
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