Moyeen Khan notes political shift since August 5

NN Online:
BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Moyeen Khan on Saturday said the political situation in Bangladesh has changed significantly over the past year, with August 5 this year reflecting a markedly different reality from the same date in 2024.

Speaking at a seminar titled “July Revolution: The Advancement of Democracy” organised by the Human Research and Analysis Foundation (HURAF) at the Jatiya Press Club, he stressed the need for collective efforts to protect democracy.

Moyeen Khan said BNP, one of the country’s major political parties, has endured continuous struggle since its founding in 1978. Drawing parallels from the Mughal era to Pakistan’s discrimination against its eastern wing, he said that despite gaining independence from Pakistan, Bangladesh has yet to fully secure democratic governance — a goal Pakistan itself has failed to achieve.

Criticising ruling authorities, he warned that today’s rulers could become tomorrow’s oppressors if accountability is absent. He also said that when one party dominates Parliament with 80–90% of the seats, it leads to a governance crisis, a problem Bangladesh has faced before.

The BNP leader noted that political inequality, reminiscent of the Mughal and Pakistani periods, resurfaced in 2024. He recalled the sacrifices of thousands killed under authoritarian regimes, saying their blood paved the way for today’s freedom of speech.

Calling for free, fair, and inclusive elections, Moyeen Khan said democracy cannot function without the participation of all major political forces. He claimed that from 1978 to 2025, over 5 million BNP leaders, activists, and rural students have faced politically motivated cases.

The keynote was presented by Dhaka College Professor Anowar Mahmud, with HURAF convenor Ahmed Husaain presiding. Dhaka University Arts Faculty Dean Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman attended as special guest, while injured July fighter Fahim Hossain shared his experiences from the July revolution.