BNP Believes in Liberal Democracy

 

BNP Believes in Liberal Democracy, Does Not Seek to Create Divisions: Mirza Fakhrul

DHAKA — Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the BNP is committed to liberal democratic values and has no intention of creating divisions in society.

“BNP is a party of liberal democracy. We believe in liberal democracy and want to establish it in Bangladesh. We do not want to create any other divisions here,” Fakhrul said while addressing a discussion titled “Ziaur Rahman’s Independent Non-Aligned Diplomacy in the Current Context” at the Press Institute Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday.

The event was organized to commemorate the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. A newspaper exhibition was also arranged as part of the programme, which was chaired by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon.

Referring to political discussions before the election, Fakhrul claimed that some intellectuals and media outlets had predicted that Shafiqur Rahman's party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, would emerge as the dominant force.

“However, the people did not make a mistake. They chose BNP instead. The reason is that BNP is a liberal democratic party,” he said.

Fakhrul stated that the BNP aims to uphold the ideals upon which Bangladesh was founded. In that regard, he said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has adopted the slogan “Bangladesh First,” echoing the nationalist spirit promoted by Ziaur Rahman.

He noted that Ziaur Rahman had similarly embraced the patriotic song ‘Prothom Bangladesh Amar Shesh Bangladesh’ (“Bangladesh is My First and Last”).

Recalling his own experiences during the 1971 Liberation War, Fakhrul said he had worked as an organizer and witnessed the brutality of the conflict firsthand. He described seeing Pakistani forces burn villages, carry out killings, and commit atrocities against women.

“Because I witnessed those events, I can never forgive them, and I cannot compare the Liberation War with anything else,” he said.

Paying tribute to Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul described him as a patriot who played a crucial role during the country's struggle for independence. He said that although political opponents once dismissed Zia as an “unknown major,” it was Zia who publicly declared resistance against Pakistan and announced the war from Chattogram when the nation was awaiting leadership.

According to Fakhrul, Ziaur Rahman’s greatest contribution was helping forge a distinct national identity for the people of Bangladesh.

He also said that he sees reflections of Ziaur Rahman’s vision and leadership in the speeches, programmes, and activities of Tarique Rahman.

Among those attending the discussion were economist Mushtaq Khan as a special guest and retired ANM Muniruzzaman as the keynote speaker. Other discussants included Abu Rushd and Shafiqur Rahman. The session was moderated by Faruk Wasif, Director General of the Press Institute Bangladesh.