Our foreign ministry, reportedly, has informed a parliamentary standing body that Bangladeshi expatriates involved in “anti-government activities” abroad will be brought under law. One report published in this newspaper on October 28, titled ‘ Expats involved in anti-govt activities to face music’ noted that the report submitted by the ministry officials in said, “Sadly, besides playing a positive role in protecting the interests of Bangladesh and sending remittances, many of the expats are engaged in propaganda against Bangladesh and the government. The government is working to bring those who are engaged in anti-government activities and giving provocative and completely fabricated statements to book.”  Apparently, it may sound like a patriotic duty of the government to counter anti-Bangladesh propaganda. However, the word “anti-government” in the statement clearly implies that it has nothing to do with patriotism, but to silence critics of the government. And the efforts or act...