Political rhetoric must curb violence: Rizvi

Changing the mindset and conduct of political parties, leaders and activists is essential to strengthening democracy, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Monday.

He said laws alone could not establish democracy unless people developed a stronger commitment to respecting the law.

“No matter how many laws were enacted to establish democracy, it cannot be effectively established without any change in people’s mindsets. Everyone must develop a mentality of abiding by the law,” Rizvi said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled ‘Electoral Violence Monitoring Report: Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections and Referendum 2026’, organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the SIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.

Rizvi said people wanted to leave behind past practices and begin a new democratic journey.
He expressed hope that democratic institutions would be strengthened, the judiciary would function properly, the media would be able to express opinions freely and the Election Commission would perform its duties independently. “Democratic institutions will be improved, the judiciary will truly function, media will freely express opinions, and Election Commission will carry out its duties independently,” he said.