THE dissolution of the textbook review and revision committee, formed on September 15, and the criticism, controversy, demands and counter-demands that led to the dissolution is concerning on a few counts. The Secondary and Higher Education Division on September 28 dissolved the 10-member committee meant to review textbooks of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board in the wake of popular demands. The order does not cite specific reasons although it is apparent that the committee has been dissolved after a number of Islamist groups and organisations demanded the inclusion of two Islamic scholars and the exclusion of two members on the committee 鈥� Md Kamrul Hassan and Samina Luthfa, both teachers of the University of Dhaka. People associated with different Islamist organisations and groups, including some popular Islamic speakers, termed the two teachers 鈥榓nti-religion鈥� and 鈥業slamophobic鈥�, among others, and demanded their exclusion. The government decision, in such a situation, appears to be reflective of a rightist bias, which is gravely concerning as it demeans, if not defeats, the democratic aspirations of millions of people who took to the streets and succeeded in ending the 15 years of autocratic regime of the Awami League.
What is also concerning that this is not the first time the interim government has showed such a rightist bias. The bias was apparent in the government鈥檚 repeated consultations with and recourse to rightist parties and groups. In that, the government appears to be neglecting the spirit of the July uprising and also underestimating the role of the left and the liberal, who had consistently been vocal and struggled to uphold democracy and rights during the Awami League regime. The two teachers at hand, for example, are part of the University Teachers鈥� Network, one of the most crucial organisations that have never failed to stand up against the misrule of the Awami regime. Even during the uprising, this organisation stood as a shield for the student protesters who were attacked by Awami League fronts and law enforcers. The irony is that most of the people who are now critical of the credentials and sacrifices of the left and the liberal, negatively tag them and put them at risks were silent during the autocratic regime. Some of them even flourished by cosying up to the regime. The government has, meanwhile, failed to address the emerging threat posed by the undemocratic culture of tagging people or groups as 鈥榓nti-religion鈥� or 鈥業slamophobic鈥� and attacking them.
The uprising was a watershed moment when people from all walks of life banded together to see a democratic Bangladesh, not the emergence of right-wing fascism. The government should, therefore, explain its position and must honour the democratic aspirations and sacrifices of all groups, organisations and parties.
