Fair elections must be ensured: Tarique

Staff Correspondent

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the next election must be free and fair for the ultimate practice of democracy and that the fundamental human rights of the people must be ensured, which is an essential condition for democracy.

He made these remarks in a message on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day on Thursday.

In a message signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Tarique Rahman extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to everyone, including the countrymen.

He said, “The Sepoy-People’s Revolution of November 7, 1975, was not only a turning point in the history of Bangladesh, but also the beginning of the emergence of anti-hegemonic nationalist politics in this country. The country’s sovereignty was protected through the Sepoy-People’s Revolution.”

Tarique Rahman said, “On this day in 1975, the sepoys and the people, inspired by patriotism, took to the streets with a pledge to protect national independence and revive democracy. Therefore, the historic revolution of November 7 is very significant. The ruling group of independence pushed the country into the clutches of hegemony for its own interests. Its aim was to hold power forever. That is why democracy was killed by forming a one-party state.”

He further said, “The authoritarian government has taken away the just rights of the people in an extremely undemocratic and fascist manner. During this extreme crisis of the motherland, on November 3, 1975, the evildoers imprisoned the great freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman and his family in the cantonment. During this deep crisis of the nation, on November 7, a unique solidarity erupted on the streets with the fearless soldiers and the people pouring in to protect the freedom of their people, and the freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman was freed.”

“This change of scenery created vitality in the country under the leadership of President Zia and democracy became free from obstacles and freedom of speech and expression was well established. People’s minds regained peace. But the domestic agents of the hegemonic forces, considering him a thorn in the path of achieving their objectives, brutally assassinated President Zia at the Chittagong Circuit House in 1981.”

He also said that even though Ziaur Rahman was martyred, the people who are strong in his ideology are still united and determined to protect the country’s independence and democracy.

The acting chairman of BNP said, “Once again, the Awami fascists destroyed democracy and held state power in their hands for almost 16 years through a secret conspiracy. Due to their knee-jerk policies, the sovereignty of the country was weakening day after day. The Awami fascist government suppressed leaders and activists fighting for democracy with horrific cruelty, established a terrible reign of corruption and misrule including mirror houses, disappearances, murders, extrajudicial killings. The ‘symbol of democracy’ Khaleda Zia was imprisoned and not released for many years.”

He further said, “The Awami Fascists have systematically given the opportunity to carry out aggression on the native culture, tradition, language and culture. Therefore, I think that all nationalist forces must unite in the spirit of November 7 and build a strong democracy. And that is why it is very important to protect national independence and sovereignty at this moment.”