Shujan: We are standing on a powder keg

Civil society organization Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) on Saturday said, the nation is standing on a keg of gunpowder, while referring to the demographic dividend of Bangladesh.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, made this comment while speaking at a seminar titled "Sompritir sathe, ogrogotir pothe" (Towards progress with harmony), held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB).

He said: “We are standing on a gunpowder keg. If youths are brought up properly, we will be self-sufficient, and powder keg will not explode. Otherwise, the demographic dividend may turn into a demographic nightmare for Bangladesh.”

He added that it is the state's responsibility to ensure no children are led astray.

Speaking as the chief guest, deputy speaker of the Parliament, Md Fazle Rabbi Miah urged youths to fight militancy.

Aroma Dutta, MP and co-chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, stated that the government is trying to find out the reason behind terrorism, and trying to address them.

“Families and educational institutions can play a big role in combating militancy. If parents take proper care of their children, and instill good values in them, militancy among the youth can be avoided," she opined.

While speaking as a special guest, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said: “Terrorism derives from deprivation—political, social, economic, or any other kind."

Shaheen Anam, executive director at Manusher Jonno Foundation said that, learning to respect others’ opinions can help oust extremism from the country.

“People may have different race, religion, or class, but everybody has the same inalienable rights as a human,” Shaheen said, adding that nobody ought to take away these rights.

The event was organized by National Girlchild Advocacy Forum (NGCAF), where hundreds of youths from different districts of Bangladesh convened, to have discussions on ways to prevent extremism.