Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that democracy is not merely about elections; it means ensuring people’s freedom and fundamental rights.
He made these remarks in a message to the media on the occasion of Shaheed Jehad Day on Thursday.
Tarique Rahman said, “I pay deep respect to the memory of the fearless soldier of the anti-autocracy movement, Shaheed Nazir Uddin Jehad. I pray for the salvation of his soul.”
He said, “Shaheed Nazir Uddin Jehad is an unforgettable name in the anti-Ershad autocracy movement of the 1990s.
That blood-stained movement was for the restoration of multi-party democracy, freedom of expression, and press freedom.”
He further said, “While playing a leading role in the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s, Shaheed Jehad embraced police bullets to his chest and attained martyrdom.
The fearless student leader’s blood paved the way for the mass uprising that year, which led to the fall of the autocratic ruler Ershad.”
Tarique Rahman said, “The autocratic ruler Ershad had destroyed democracy. Jehad sacrificed his life with a firm commitment to restoring democracy and establishing it on a strong foundation. If we fail to realize that dream, his soul will be in pain.”
He also mentioned that a fair election must be held to keep the democratic process uninterrupted.
The BNP Acting Chairman further said, “Democracy is not only about elections; it means ensuring people’s freedom and fundamental rights.”
He called upon everyone to uphold the spirit of Shaheed Jehad’s sacrifice, resist the conspiracies of domestic and foreign evil forces, and protect the country’s independence, sovereignty, and democracy.
