Satire takes aim at extortion

National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders Hasnat Abdullah, MP and Nasiruddin Patwari on Monday staged a satirical and symbolic programme protesting what they described as the ongoing culture of extortion in the country.

As part of the campaign, Hasnat, the party’s chief organiser for the southern region and a lawmaker, and Nasiruddin, its chief coordinator, launched a symbolic ‘public begging and rehabilitation donation box’ initiative, urging people to contribute as an alternative to extortion.

A procession led by the two leaders was brought out in the capital on Monday afternoon. Participants chanted slogans including, “If you need alms, take alms; give up extortion” and “Break down, crush the dens of extortionists”.

Earlier, Hasnat had announced the installation of a ‘rehabilitation donation box’ at Banglamotor in the capital alongside a public begging campaign, describing the initiative as an alternative to extortion.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday, Hasnat wrote: “A public begging campaign this time for the government-party activists who have gone hungry for 17 years! Give alms – your Tk1 may help keep someone away from the path of extortion.”

Calling for public participation in the campaign, he said, “Donate, stop extortion; take part in the national rehabilitation of extortionists who have gone hungry for 17 years.”

The NCP leader said the initiative was intended to draw attention to the need to end the culture of extortion through a symbolic and satirical public campaign.

The programme comes amid renewed political debate over allegations of extortion and the government’s ability to maintain law and order.

The NCP has recently called for greater accountability over the security situation and urged action against those involved in criminal activities.

The leaders’ remarks concerning government-party activists were part of their political criticism and were not independently verified.