Government working to establish constitutional state system: Home Minister

Salahuddin Ahmed, Home Minister and member of the BNP Standing Committee, has said that a constitutional system must be introduced in Bangladesh through which no military autocracy will emerge in the future, no autocratic force will rise and fascist or muscle power will not be able to raise its head. Establishing a discrimination-free and justice-based society along with ensuring an egalitarian democratic state system is its goal. He said the present government is working towards establishing such a state system.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme organised on the occasion of the 48th founding anniversary of the BNP at the Sylhet District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium in the Shahi Eidgah area of the city on Tuesday (September 1).

Jute and Textiles, Industry and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir was the main speaker at the founding anniversary programme organised on the initiative of Sylhet District BNP.

Mentioning the history of the BNP as a history of movement, establishment of democracy and changing the fate of people, Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP conducts people-centric and public welfare-oriented politics on the basis of the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and the 19-point programme.

The home minister also highlighted various programmes including progress in women’s education, stipends and free education. He also mentioned that the BNP has taken various initiatives to increase the work spirit and productivity of the youth.

Drawing a reference to the post-One-Eleven political situation, he said autocratic and fascist forces had risen in the country later. He also observed that the country has again advanced on the path of establishing democracy through the student-people’s movement and self-sacrifice.

Speaking about the future of present Bangladesh, he said the BNP wants to build such a Bangladesh where a discrimination-free and justice-based society will be established and the rights and dignity of the people will be ensured. He also mentioned that constitutional reforms are necessary to achieve this goal.

Recalling the self-sacrifice of those killed in the mass uprising of 2024, the home minister said it is possible to build a discrimination-free and humane Bangladesh through the realisation of the dreams of the martyrs and the ideals of the BNP established by Ziaur Rahman.

Raising the issue of the ‘I Have a Plan’ programme announced by Tarique Rahman, he said initiatives have been taken to implement various public welfare programmes including family cards and farmers’ cards. He also emphasised giving state recognition and dignity to people of all levels of society.

Informing that the initiative to give state honour to imams-muezzins, priests of various religions and responsible persons of places of worship will continue, Salahuddin Ahmed said establishing a public welfare state by ensuring the dignity of all is their goal.

Presided over by Sylhet District BNP president and Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury and conducted by District BNP general secretary Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury MP, the meeting was attended by M A Malek MP, Sylhet Wasa Board Chairman and BNP central assistant organising secretary Miftah Siddiqui, District Council Administrator Abdul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim, Metropolitan BNP president Nasim Hossain, Jalalabad Gas Director Badruzzaman Selim, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Kayes Lodi, BNP assistant small loan and cottage industry affairs secretary Abdur Razzak, District BNP organising secretary Shamim Ahmed and others.