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Music artist and activist Farzana Wahid Shayan has condemned the use of hateful and offensive language in slogans targeting opponents, women, and religious minorities during recent political events, believing that such acts of retaliation only fuel hatred in society and ultimately harm the country's well-being.
In a long Facebook post on Monday, Shayan urged the interim government and law enforcement to act against incitement to violence and hate through speech and slogans.
She emphasised the need for a 'Hate Control Commission' to outlaw such practices through legal means. "I strongly urge the current government to take firm action in this regard," she wrote, addressing authorities directly.
"Identify hate speech, monitor aggressive language, and set minimum standards for civil behaviour among civilians," Shayan said, pointing to the rising instances where public speakers casually call others offensive terms or even incite violence, such as by chanting "slaughter them all."
"How can this be acceptable in any civilised society? Such open threats of murder must not go unpunished," she questioned.
Shayan referred to the 2013 Shahbagh movement under the Awami League government as an example of seeking justice without promoting violence.
"There was no joy then either. Seeking justice is not the same as calling for slaughter, that is not a justice culture," she added.
The singer expressed concern about normalising violent speech in public and warned against the desensitisation of society. According to her, ordinary crowds may include extremists, but the role of law enforcement is crucial in setting behavioural standards.
She wrote, "Why should someone get away with calling another person a prostitute? Why should slaughter threats be normalised?"
Calling for institutional reform, she again stressed the need for a hate control body to combat discrimination against religious minorities and women.
"Why can hate-filled sermons go unchecked for generations against other faiths and women? A commission is overdue," she said.
Shayan criticised political slogan practices that openly promote violence, saying such chants are unacceptable in a democratic society.
"From a rally stage I heard chants like 'catch one League member and slaughter them all'. Why are state officials silent?" she asked.
She demanded that such expressions be treated as criminal offences and called for proper judicial procedures to address wrongdoing.
"There was no patriotism in such slogans in 2013, nor is there now. This is not justice, nor national pride," she wrote.
Reflecting on past war crimes, Shayan noted that key perpetrators are no longer present, and justice remains a goal for many.
She called for ending the cycle of revenge politics, emphasising the need for campaigns and active efforts to change the culture.
"People believe cursing and threatening others proves patriotism. That must end. We need legal, cultural change," Shayan insisted.
She also urged the government to refrain from using vague or politically motivated charges to silence dissenting voices.
"Don't abduct people under ghost cases for speaking out. Make a list of which words are violent and offensive," she concluded.
Shayan believes banning hate speech is legally simpler than banning a political party and should be treated as a priority.