“My 16 years old cousin looked very upset since he could not to contact his friends for several days . I found about a dozen worried faces after they failed to login into their much liked website and one of my senior friends was asking me whether the Government is afraid of the mowlanas”

All this happened since Bangladesh Government temporarily ban Facebook, a popular social networking website. The ban came after uploading satiric images of our nationals leaders and some anti-religious views. Government clearly gave an explanation soon after the ban indicating it as a temporary measure. Due to the ban, there was immediate protests by the students of Dhaka University supported by our well renowned columnists. Both News and electronic media was covering the issue as if it was a big social disaster.

On June 2nd and 3rd we had big disasters of the recent past due to building collapse & fire hazard respectively in Begunbari and Old Town. About 160 people died and more than 200 got injured in the incidents. Government declared a day of mourning and took all efforts for rescue, treatments and other supports for the victims. Some of the social organizations also came forward with financial supports as well.

The incidents I mentioned here are surely of different in nature and in no way we can relate to each other. But the point, I was trying to find out the role of the students and our well renowned columnist during the incidents. No student group came to Begunbari site to take part in rescue mission which continued for 48 hours. Even they did not do any human chain or protest for the loss of valuable lives due to carelessness by the government for allowing unsafe habitation. So far I did not see any effective writing from our big guns which can inspire youth group to think about humanity and come forward for the helps required for Begunbari or Old Town incident. Should this be the role as student from highest level of university of the country? We should remember that the students of Dhaka University played vital role in our language movement in 1952, liberation war in 1971 and movement against military government in 1990. If we as a Nation like to keep our face, we need to be more active for our much needed things rather than face-book.

The facebook is reactivated since last night and I am sure that I will see happy face of my cousin & smiling faces of my friends around and would not be surprise with the celebration parties in TSC this afternoon.

Refence: Our beloved Anis bhai

Photo credit: The Daily Star and sumondhrubo