Staff Reporter:
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged that the opportunity to create a new Bangladesh must not be squandered under any circumstances.
“After the events of 1971 and 1990, the mass uprising of July 2024 has opened the door to new possibilities. But who can truly claim credit for the July victory? Many are making such claims, but this achievement belongs to the people of the country. It was the people who took to the streets with the aim of establishing a democratic Bangladesh,” he said while addressing a discussion event as chief guest, organised in memory of the martyrs of the historic July-August mass uprising.
The programme was held on Thursday afternoon at the TSC Auditorium of the university, arranged by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
Stating that conspiracies continue despite the departure of the fascist regime, he said, “There is an ongoing conspiracy to obstruct the transition to democracy. They are using obscene and unintelligible language against Tarique Rahman – why? Simply out of fear. He is a national leader, and there is a plot against him.”
Fakhrul stated that the national elections are scheduled for February. “Conspirators are trying to trap the BNP, but that will not happen. They are provoking us to react to their statements and to protest. But we shall not fall into that trap.”
He continued, “The conspirators have been creating unrest since the election promise was made at the London meeting. Do not get agitated, do not be misled — do not fall into their trap.”
The BNP secretary general claimed that all the major achievements of the country have come through the BNP. “The BNP has taken the initiative to reform by uniting everyone. We had already recognised the need to move forward from the point where the former government had brought the country.”
He asserted that the BNP is the party that genuinely wants to change the fate of the people of Bangladesh. “Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, we have long been fighting for the restoration of democracy. We have seen success in this struggle, and we shall be successful again.”
Mirza Fakhrul said around six million BNP leaders and activists have faced disappearances, killings, legal harassment, and torture in their struggle against fascism.
“Khaleda Zia has been imprisoned for six years on false charges. Tarique Rahman has been forced into exile. Yet, despite all this suffering and sacrifice, the people still smile, they still dream – and it is these dreams that propel us forward,” he added.
He further noted that 142 members of Chhatra Dal were martyred during the July movement, yet their names have not been included in the official gazette.
“Senior leaders of the BNP will look into this matter. There are also complaints from the injured that they have not received any support.”
