Staff Correspondent:

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called upon people from all walks of life to take a vow not to allow fascist and deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to do politics in Bangladesh again.

“We must take an oath from today’s rally that we will never allow this fascist Hasina any space in the politics of this country. We must also pledge that we will never bow our heads to anyone. We will build a self-reliant Bangladesh with our own strength,” he told a student rally in the capital.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, organised the rally at Shahbagh, with a huge turnout of leaders and activists from across the country, marking the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising.

Fakhrul also urged students and anti-fascist forces to stay united against what he called attempts to divide the country and create instability.

He alleged that Sheikh Hasina and her allies, who have taken shelter in neighbouring India, are issuing threats against Bangladesh. “They are not just doing that—they are also trying to create unrest inside the country in various ways.”

The BNP leader emphasised that students and young people must take responsibility for the nation’s future by developing knowledge, intellect, and scientific thinking. “Without wisdom, we cannot move forward. We need to pursue education and science to shape the country’s future.”

Fakhrul reaffirmed the BNP’s commitment to restoring democracy, saying, “We are on a path to build a truly democratic state.”

He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in London, decided that the next general election will be held in February.

“The people of Bangladesh are waiting for that election. And before that, they are eagerly waiting for Tarique Rahman’s return. Isn’t that right?” he asked the crowd.

Fakhrul said the BNP’s goal is to fulfil the dreams of late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. “Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, we will build a happy, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh.”

He observed that hundreds of students, ordinary citizens, and workers had laid down their lives with the hope of building a just, livable country with good governance.

Despite various challenges, Fakhrul said a new opportunity has emerged to rebuild Bangladesh. “To make the most of this chance, he said the BNP has presented a set of 31 proposals.”

“A new sun has risen, bringing fresh hope and a new beginning for Bangladesh. Our student brothers have made immense sacrifices, facing arrests and repression across the country. Today’s gathering, from Teknaf to Tetulia, shows our unity and strength. While we celebrate this moment, we also remember with sorrow the brothers we lost one year ago,” the BNP leader said.