Prime minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said students, teachers and professionals should remain politically aware and organised according to their respective ideologies, but warned against excessive political involvement that could interfere with their professional responsibilities.

Speaking at a doctors’ rally organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh marking its 37th founding anniversary at LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad complex, he said that political decisions effect almost every aspect of life in a democratic state.

He said that it was therefore not unreasonable for students, teachers and professionals to engage in politics or remain politically aware.

However, the prime minister stressed the need to maintain a balance between political engagement and professional duties.

‘It is not unreasonable for students, teachers or professionals to be politically organised according to their own ideology or to be politically aware,’ the prime minister said.

‘However, it is important for everyone to ensure that excessive political involvement does not hinder the performance of their professional duties,’ he said.

He also called for a qualitative change in the country’s political culture, saying politics must move beyond traditional practices to meet the demands of the present time.