Protests should be peaceful

Julian Baggini, a renowned philosopher said, “You should protest about the views of people you disagree with over major moral issues and argue them down, but you should not try to silence them, however repugnant you find them.” In a democratic system, protest is an important part of people's right, but it must be expressed through peaceful means. 

After the detention of ex-president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed on February 22, 2015, his supporters protested by marching a rally in the capital city. While they were marching, they were carrying the flag of Maldives and giving slogans for the release of Nasheed, unlike the protesters of our country who carry petrol bombs, cocktails, sticks, sharp weapons and firearms to create violence.

After the death of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, almost 20,000 people peacefully protested in Moscow through marching in the street. The important fact is, they did not create any violence even after their leader was shot to death. 

If BNP-led 20 parties' alliances think about the common people, then they should avoid violence and pursue a peaceful way to fulfil their demands.

Ripu Sen
International Islamic University Chittagong