'Opening the way for autocracy's return would betray the martyrs': PM Tarique Rahman at July Memorial inauguration

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that if, in the name of opposition, the path is opened for the return of autocracy, it would be a betrayal of the martyrs of the July mass uprising and of the great Liberation War of 1971. He made the remark on Monday while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the 'July Memorial' and the modernised Osmani Udyan in the capital.

On the role of the opposition, the prime minister said: "The opposition will of course oppose, but it must be constructive. We must move away from the old political culture of opposing just for the sake of opposing." This call for constructive opposition was the central message of his speech.

He said the BNP had received the responsibility of running the government through the people's vote, while other political parties had received the responsibility of the opposition. The main duty of both the treasury and opposition benches in parliament, he said, is to discuss and debate the country's interests and the people's welfare, and to implement decisions taken through that process.

The prime minister said: "The government is trying to change the fortunes of the country's people. Just as you have taken the opposition seats with the people's vote, we too are running the government with the people's support. The idea that the ruling party alone represents the people, or that only the opposition represents the people, must be abandoned."

Addressing opposition leaders, he said opposition leaders had also been invited to the government-organised programme honouring the families of those martyred and injured in the July uprising. Despite political distance from the government, they had the opportunity to stand beside the July martyr families and injured fighters.

He added that everyone should come forward to honour those who gained political identity through the sacrifice of the July martyrs and injured. To uphold the spirit of the July uprising, he said, means standing beside those who sacrificed in that movement and working to realise their aspirations.

The prime minister said: "Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), introduced multi-party democracy in this country, and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia initiated parliamentary democracy." To keep the practice of democracy alive, he remarked, political parties must work unitedly in the national interest despite differences of opinion.

Noting that not agreeing on every issue is a natural feature of democracy, the prime minister said: "But there is scope for us to agree on fundamental matters such as employment for the country's people, security, independence, healthcare and the education of future generations."

He said: "Political parties may have their own positions and statements on various matters, including constitutional amendment and reform. The people have sent them to parliament precisely to discuss these matters and take decisions. Decisions must be taken by presenting arguments and opinions through discussion in parliament, so that ordinary people can continue their daily lives and livelihood struggles."

Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the venue at 10 am on Monday. He then inaugurated the 'July Memorial' together with Md Mokbul Hossain, father of July uprising martyr Abu Sayed; Mir Mostafizur Rahman, father of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho; Sanjida Khan Dipti, mother of martyr Shahariar Khan Anas; and Mohammad Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim Akram. After the inauguration, the prime minister planted a sapling on the memorial premises.

Built to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the 2024 July uprising, the 90-foot-high memorial stands on about an acre of land. The names of 834 martyrs have been engraved on it through laser cutting, and 20 symbolic tombstones have been placed in front of it. Relief sculptures — 163 feet long and four and a half feet high on the outside, and 171 feet long and seven and a half feet high on the inside — depict the history of Bangladesh's movements and struggles, from the 1952 Language Movement to the July uprising of 2024.

The prime minister later inaugurated the modernised Osmani Udyan, walked through different parts of the park, and visited the adjoining library. The modernisation of the historic 23-acre park, located at the junction of old and new Dhaka, included renovating the old water body and building five new ones, along with about 3.1 km of walkways, a gymnasium, a pagoda, public toilets, parking facilities and a 50,000-litre rainwater harvesting system.

On the modernisation of Osmani Udyan, the prime minister said: "Infrastructure must be built for people's needs and the country's development. But those concerned must be conscious of minimising damage to nature as much as possible when constructing structures." Recounting his recent visits to educational institutions, government hospitals and government residences in the capital, he urged greater attention to cleanliness in hospitals and residential areas, saying every citizen must do their duty from their own position to build a clean and healthy Bangladesh.

Chaired by Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, the programme was also addressed by the prime minister's political adviser Mirza Abbas, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Local Government Minister Abdul Muyeen Khan, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Nagorik Oikko president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque and Local Government Secretary Shahidul Alam. Cabinet members, MPs and family members of July movement martyrs were present.

In the closing part of his speech, the prime minister said the BNP government is working for the welfare of the July fighters — treatment for those injured in the uprising and support and employment arrangements for martyr families are being carried out gradually. Calling for the realisation of the aspirations of the July and Liberation War martyrs, he indicated that the government's focus will remain on honouring their sacrifice by realising their dreams.