Political parties should focus on fulfilling aspirations of July
Staff Reporter :
The speakers at a discussion meeting said that political parties should prioritise the fulfilment of the aspirations of the July uprising rather than the pursuit of power. Otherwise, those who sacrificed their lives or limbs during the uprising will not forgive.
The discussion was held on Thursday at the Far East Auditorium in Dhaka, jointly organised by the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and the political platform United Peoples (UP) Bangladesh. The chief discussant was Mahmudur Rahman, Editor of daily Amar Desh.
Other speakers included Hasnat Quaiyum, president of the State Reform Movement; Prof. Dr. Waresul Karim Bulbul, dean of the Business Faculty at North South University; Ali Ahsan Junayed, convener of UP Bangladesh; Prof. Dr. Major (Retd.) Abdul Wahab Minar, senior vice president of AB Party; Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of AB Party; Arefin Hizbullah, member secretary of UP Bangladesh; Rafey Salman Rifat, chief coordinator; Barrister Nasrin Sultana Mili, joint secretary general of AB Party; and Didar Bhuiyan, leader of the State Reform Movement, among others.
Mahmudur Rahman read out a letter from Anas, a young martyr of the July uprising. He said the martyrs, including Anas, did not sacrifice their lives merely for a change of power. Major political parties, fearing the loss of their entrenched power structures, refrain from calling July a revolution and instead call it merely a movement. “Instead of recognising the people’s unwavering support and the martyrs’ sacrifice as the basis of legitimacy, they are treating Article 106 as the foundation of government,” he said.
Expressing astonishment at the recent discussions between the head of government and political parties about an election-time administration, he remarked that it appears the major political parties’ main goal is to ensure an election at any cost.
“The July fighters’ struggle is not over,” he warned. “It would be foolish to think everything will be resolved after the election. The media must continue to fight against the rulers even in the days ahead.”
In his welcome speech, Mujibur Rahman Manju said that during the anti-fascist movement, many new slogans voiced by the fighting masses awakened the nation. Among them, one that left a deep impression was: ‘Power or the people – the people, the people!’
He said, “Fascist regimes often use a common tactic to suppress mass movements – to divide the movement’s forces by tempting them with power. Some leaders are given parliamentary or ministerial positions or cash incentives to divert them from the struggle and turn them into collaborators.”
“Many indeed took that path or were about to,” he added. “At that time, the thunderous voices on the streets chanting ‘Power or the people – the people, the people!’ carried immense significance. The country had then split into two camps – on one side stood the illegitimate holders of power, and on the other, the united, uncompromising strength of the people. Throughout history, after every blood-stained struggle, the people ultimately triumph – and the July uprising in Bangladesh proved that once again.”
Hasnat Quaiyum said there is no longer any distinction between power and the people – power must be returned to the people.
Dr. Waresul Karim Bulbul said, “This event will be a milestone if it can lead to the formation of a people-oriented coalition.”
Ali Ahsan Junayed stated that the July uprising took place in protest against the concentration of power.
Dr. Abdul Wahab Minar said, “All who believe in the uprising must work together.”
Arefin Hizbullah said, “The bureaucratic feudal system still prevails – this is not the reality envisioned by the uprising. Empowerment of the people is the core principle of the July revolution.”
Rafey Salman Rifat said, “Many of those who once supported the uprising are now caught up in the old-style political games. Secret negotiations over parliamentary seats in someone’s house at night cannot represent the spirit of a people’s uprising.”