Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said that “mob violence” must be eliminated if Bangladesh is to establish a truly democratic system.
“The first principle of democracy is tolerance of differing opinions,” he said. “But what do we see here? I will speak, but I will not allow you to speak. I will beat you, incite mob violence, gather a crowd and shout, ‘Break it, smash it, beat him to death.’… This is not democracy.”
Fakhrul made the remarks while unveiling the cover of a book titled “Chobbisher Gono-Obbhutthane BNP (BNP’s Role in the Mass Uprising of 2024)”, edited by photojournalist Babul Talukder.
He expressed concern that a certain group is attempting to distract public attention from the recent verdict against Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity by instigating mob violence in Dhanmondi.
“Sometimes I feel frustrated when I look around Bangladesh,” he said. “On one hand, we see a court delivering a verdict against fascist Hasina for crimes against humanity, and on the other, we see mobocracy spreading. I do not know what this signifies.” The BNP leader warned that some quarters may be trying to diminish the significance of the verdict and divert global attention by stirring unrest. “We must remain alert to whether a group is, through tricks and cunning, trying to change the narrative or create division,” he added.
Fakhrul said Bangladesh cannot afford to become a failed state and must instead strengthen its democratic institutions. “The spirit of democracy is: I may not agree with you, but I will defend your right to express your opinion — even at the cost of my life. Sadly, we fail to practise this. We want to silence others. This mindset must change.”
He stressed that the foundation of a sustainable political system is democracy. “It does not matter who wins or loses an election. What matters is whether the judiciary is independent, the media is free, the parliament is functional, and whether rule of law, good governance, social dignity and human rights prevail.”
Calling for a united democratic alliance ahead of the upcoming national election, he said the BNP now bears an even greater responsibility. “BNP must build a platform that has fought for democracy in the past and will continue to fight to institutionalise it.”
Fakhrul recalled the sacrifices of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, saying she endured imprisonment, repression and illness for the cause of democracy. Even then, he said, she issued a message on 5 August last year calling for no revenge and urging unity for restoring democracy. “We must move forward holding on to that spirit.”
He also praised BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, noting that despite enduring persecution and attacks, he inspired the nation to stand for democracy. “You saw in the documentary how he tried to awaken the people.”
Clarifying BNP’s ideology, Fakhrul said, “BNP is not a revolutionary party. We are a liberal democratic party. We believe in democracy, and the people of Bangladesh have fought for democratic rights for generations.”
He said the BNP envisions a “rainbow state” — an inclusive nation where people of all religions, ethnicities, opinions and backgrounds coexist — and reiterated the party’s commitment to political and institutional reform. “If anyone tries to portray us otherwise, we will not accept it.”
The programme was presided over by BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan. Standing Committee Member Begum Selima Rahman, party leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, National People’s Party Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, book editor Babul Talukder and publisher Prof BM Nagib Hossain also addressed the event.
