At a seminar titled “Three Faces of Crisis: State, Nation and People” held at Chittagong Government City College on Monday, Professor Salimullah Khan cautioned that the risk of a new dictatorship is rooted in history, where those once oppressed may become oppressors. “This is the law of nature,” he said, urging the public to learn how to prevent such cycles of power abuse.
Responding to questions from students and faculty, he referenced a UN report stating that 1,400 people were killed in the July-August period, warning that such atrocities must not be forgotten. Drawing a parallel with the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in India, he echoed Kazi Nazrul Islam’s call to commemorate not only the victims but also the perpetrators to ensure historical awareness of cruelty.
Addressing issues concerning indigenous peoples, Professor Salimullah challenged the use of the term “tribes” for Chittagong Hill Tracts residents, advocating for a referendum to allow non-Bengali communities to choose how they wish to be identified.
Commenting on the current interim government, he expressed cautious optimism, stating that Dr. Muhammad Yunus was the best available choice. “If he fails, we will also be responsible,” he said, suggesting that judgment should be reserved until their work is complete.
