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Saturday | September 19, 2026 | Dhaka

Democracy requires acceptance of criticism : Law Minister

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:01 AM, 19 September 2026

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Friday stressed the importance of accepting differing opinions and criticism in a democratic society while speaking at the launch of Barrister Abdur Razzaq’s book in Dhaka.

“In a democratic society, it is not essential to agree with every statement made by an individual or a party. Similarly, it is not fair to reject any criticism simply because one dislikes it,” he said.

Asaduzzaman was speaking as a distinguished panelist at the launching ceremony of ‘Jamaat-e-Islami: Its History and Politics’, written by Barrister Abdur Razzaq, at a city hotel.

The law minister said the book was not merely a literary or research-oriented work to him, describing it instead as a reflection of Razzaq’s life philosophy, thoughts, consciousness and experience of viewing society.

He said an Islamic governance structure should not be imposed from above. Rather, he said, running a state based on Islamic values emerging from within society was the right path to establishing an Islamic state system.

Speaking about the new generation, Asaduzzaman said society must adapt to change to move forward.
He said the July mass uprising had brought a generation’s aspirations for change to the forefront, adding that Razzaq’s book also reflected significant perspectives on change and political thought.

Highlighting Razzaq’s assessment of the 1971 Liberation War and the political context of the period, the minister said his position and statements addressed to the nation were significant.

He observed that many questions surrounding the issue could have been resolved had the position been clearly articulated earlier.

Regarding Razzaq’s organisational role, Asaduzzaman said that although he had served as assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, he had developed a distinct identity through his actions, thoughts, philosophy and ideals.

The minister said the respect Razzaq commanded nationally and internationally went beyond his organisational position.

Asaduzzaman also said Razzaq had encouraged international campaigns against what he described as fascism from a human rights perspective, viewing human rights issues as a platform for speaking out against it.

Recalling his personal and professional relationship with Razzaq, the minister said he would meet him for tea or speak with him over the phone whenever he visited London.

He said Razzaq, while in hospital towards the end of his life, had expressed a wish to be buried in Bangladesh. Asaduzzaman said the wish had been fulfilled and prayed for the departed soul’s eternal peace.

The minister also highlighted the significance of the book and said people involved in politics should read it.

Other panelists included Ali Riaz, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University; John Danilovich, President of Washington DC-based Right to Freedom and a former US diplomat; Dilara Chowdhury, former Professor of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University; and Kamal Ahmed, Consulting Editor of The Daily Star.