1968 Song 'People Got to Be Free' for Tolerance, Freedom & Respect vs Controversial Remarks of BNP Top Leader's Over Suppressing Media

On Aug 15th Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, the adviser to the Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has threatened to burn the television & print media if images and speeches of Sheikh Hasina (the ex-PM) are telecasted or published in their media. How alarming it's.

His remark recalled my favorite following song released in 1968 by?the Rascals written by?Felix Cavaliere (lead vocal)?and?Eddie Brigati, the song is considered widely all-time heart-felt plea for?tolerance, ?freedom , love/respect, help & solve together:

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[The song lyric ----

“All the world over, so easy to see

People everywhere just wanna be free

Listen, people listen, that's the way it should be

Deep in the valley, people got to be free

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You should see what a lovely, lovely world this could be

If everyone learned how to live together

Well, it seems to me such an easy, easy thing should be

Why can't you and me learn to love one another

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If there's a man who is down and needs a helping hand

All it takes is you to understand and to pull him all through

Well, it seems to me, we got to solve it individually

I'll do unto you what you do unto me, oh yeah

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So let's shout it from the mountain on out to the sea

No two ways about it, people have to be free

Ask me my opinion, my opinion will be

Natural situation for a man to be free, for man to be free

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Oh, what a feeling' just come over me

Love can move a mountain, make a blind man see

Everybody's singin', now, let's go see

Deep in the valley, now, we ought to be free]

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The song how lovely represents the article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states that "everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference" and "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice" adopted by the?United Nations General Assembly ?that enshrines the?rights and freedoms of all human beings .?

I think all revolutions including our latest widely called authoritarian Hasina regime fall & the mostly French Revolution was based on of the same motto i.e. Liberté, égalité, fraternité? deriving for 'liberty ,?equality ,?fraternity ', of which freedom of speech is the basic right of every homo sapiens that is to be upheld in every stage of life. His remarks to burn the media for expression of their voice is severely violation of human rights and its clearly indication of resuming fascism. Before going back to the power by legislation through voting, they have already started feeling on the power, which lead them domineering everywhere.

It'll be a biggest upset that even after such pathetic & disrespectful consequence of Bangladesh Awami League, AL ?(one of the largest political party of the Bangladesh, even having it’s significant contribution to the nation) govt., if still Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) another largest popular party’s such a big portfolio leader has not been awakened yet from the sleep and still dream to hold the mouth of expression of electronic & ?print media?or any individual as done by the immediate past AL govt., it’ll be very upset for the nation, and absolutely for BNP too, since they are the only hope at present left. Although they (BNP led alliance) had set too bitter experience during their 2001-2006 regime too oppressing Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, and Opposition Voices by their all efforts and forces and also passed the Bangladesh Telecommunications Act (BTA) amendment bill 2006 inappropriately with much controversy. However, AL govt. later has followed the same after taking over the power in 2009 by amending the same law in 2010 along with enacting the another laws like Digital Security Act (DSA) 2018, & Cyber Security Act (CSA) 2023 which is almost replication of DSA - of which sections 17, 19, 27, 42 of CSA critically hold the freedom of expression and the basic civil rights. Although, according to the available data at least 22 Journalists were killed between 2002 to Jun 2023 of which at least 12 were killed by BNP-led alliance regime in five years during 2001-2006 and residual 10 were killed throughout 14 years during AL lead govt. since 2009. However, we do believe that BNP is committed not to renew the same mistakes onward and will stick on their recent commitment towards love, tolerance & freedom of the voice following their past and present wide experiences.

After AL govt. fall on Aug 5th, country has been experiencing huge disturbance where many TV Channels, newspaper offices & journalists were attacked including Chatrogram Press Club along with interrogation and humiliating severely to pedestrians and checking their identity cards and phones while visiting to pay the respect to the Bangabandhu at 32 Dhanmondi. Situation has improved significantly due to police resumes their operation already and believe that it’ll be further progressed & fully normalcy very soon considering all parties and other stakes commitment.

Expecting, BNP is going to take stern appear-able steps against his leader Mr. Dulu for his very irresponsible remarks otherwise it may cause not only further rampage the situation, but also will tarnish the image of the party.

It's the time to re-emphasize respecting other voices & thoughts, be more tolerance and respectful on the norms of basic human rights instead of domineering towards making a golden Bangladesh again following 71’s & current revolution’s sprit although article 70 is basement of contradiction of the fundamental rights in our constitution, including freedom of speech and freedom of conscience , it's imperative to re-address it for streamlining. Consequently, will there be wise to disregard Sheikh Hasina or AL completely after ousted following the same approach what they did so? I think no further holding the throat of media (print or electronic), let them move on according to their responsible will. Yes, absolutely, time will speak out over her all misdeeds as well as will endorse the well-deeds too particularly for country's massive developments under her (autocratic) leadership although corruptions institutionalized severely in her regime undoubtedly.

Eventually, burning media or anything are strictly prohibited in Islam too that is why the Prophet Mohamad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said that "Allah alone will punish with fire, and none should be punished with fire except the Lord of Fire." (Bukhari and Abu Dawood).

So, can we together sing this song to spread the love & tolerance becoming part of a civilized society, and will freedom of expression be considered as exaggerated demand?

*****All the world over, so easy to see

People everywhere just wanna be free

Listen, people listen, that's the way it should be

Deep in the valley, people got to be free****