Free and fair polls now vital to practise true democracy: Tarique

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the fall of the Awami League government has opened the path for restoring democracy in Bangladesh, stressing the need to ensure people’s fundamental rights and hold free and fair elections to achieve “complete democratic practice”.

In a message marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on Thursday, Tarique extended greetings and congratulations to the people of Bangladesh and said the 7 November 1975 sepoy-people’s revolution was not only a turning point in the nation’s history but also marked the rise of anti-hegemonic nationalist politics.

He said the revolution helped protect the country’s sovereignty when soldiers and people took to the streets, pledging to defend national independence and revive democracy.

Tarique alleged that after independence, the ruling clique had pushed the country under hegemonic influence for its own interests, forming a one-party Baksal system that “killed democracy”. The then regime, he said, deprived people of their legitimate rights through “fascist means”, even detaining late president Ziaur Rahman, the “proclaimer of independence”, and his family inside the cantonment.

“On 7 November, patriotic soldiers and people united on the streets to protect the nation’s freedom, freeing Ziaur Rahman from captivity,” he said. “Under his leadership, the country was rejuvenated, democracy revived, and freedom of speech and expression restored.”

The BNP leader alleged that the Awami League later “destroyed democracy for nearly 16 years through fascist rule”, weakening national sovereignty and brutally suppressing pro-democracy activists through enforced disappearances, killings, torture, and corruption.

He also said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, whom he described as the “symbol of democracy”, was imprisoned for years.

Calling for justice, good governance, and unity among nationalist forces, Tarique said, “The Awami fascists allowed attacks on our culture, tradition, language and heritage. To build a strong democracy, all nationalist forces must unite in the spirit of 7 November. Protecting national independence and sovereignty is now crucial.”