Staff Reporter:
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday cautioned that the nation will not forgive political parties if their divisions allow the return of fascism in Bangladesh.
“If our lack of unity and internal divisions ever reopen the door for the reemergence of fascism, the nation will never forgive us. That’s why we must remain united,” he said at a discussion marking the 21st founding anniversary of the Daily Naya Diganta held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.
Salahuddin emphasized that all political parties must stand together to block any return of what he called the “fascist Awami League.”
“We must make this our collective pledge,” he said.
The BNP leader urged parties across the spectrum to honor the sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of the soil and the martyrs of the student-led mass uprising.
“In the days ahead, I hope we will remain united-regardless of differences in opinion or ideology-when it comes to protecting our country, democracy, independence, and sovereignty,” he added.
Calling it a sacred national duty, Salahuddin said every citizen has a responsibility to build a strong democratic state and society for future generations.
“We have inherited proud tales of student-led uprisings and bloodstained struggles. Standing on that glorious past, we must now look ahead. It is our generation’s duty to build the Bangladesh of tomorrow. For our future generations, we must leave behind a truly democratic and just society.
This is our sacred obligation-our civic, political, and social responsibility,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his personal ordeals, the BNP leader said, “For writing a few columns, I was forced to live in exile for nearly nine and a half years, suffered torture at Aynaghar, and spent time in prison.”
Recalling a prison memory, Salahuddin said, “At one point, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman and I were kept in separate cells at PG Hospital. He was on a hunger strike. I tried to persuade him to give it up, telling him that if he died, Sheikh Hasina would be delighted. Later, senior leaders intervened and he broke his fast after six or seven days.”
He urged journalists and media outlets to play a constructive role through their writings in shaping a democratic state and society.
