Merely changing the government will not bring real change: Farhad Mazhar

To bring about real change, we must grasp the true essence of democracy and build an anti-fascist resistance movement. Merely changing the government will not bring real change; poet and political thinker Farhad Mazhar said today at a discussion titled "Building a New Bangladesh" held at the Chattogram Press Club.

To build a new Bangladesh, it is not enough to simply vote; a new constitution is needed that reflects the collective will of the people, he said.

Farhad Mazhar said, "Voting is not the only form of democracy, it is merely a process. A mass uprising took place on 5 August, but it did not produce a new constitution. Those who do not truly desire democracy are the ones trying to sustain this fascist system. We are still trapped in a post-colonial mindset. The laws were made by colonial powers, and we have simply been following them."

Mazhar continued, saying, "The struggle is not over yet. Fascism comes in many forms – sometimes as shrine vandalism, sometimes as bans on music, sometimes as religious authoritarianism."

Speaking on Chattogram, he said, "This city is a global example of religious harmony. Its traditions and intellectual pursuits have played an important role in shaping Bangladesh. If Chattogram is harmed, the whole country suffers. To make the port function effectively, corrupt individuals must be removed and customs must be reformed."

Regarding the role of religion, he said, "Religion is not just belief, it teaches ethics. We must present the traditions of society through an intellectual lens. It's not just about religious or secular fascism; we must build a collective resistance against all forms of fascism."

The discussion was chaired by Zahidul Karim Kochi, member secretary of Chattogram Press Club. Shahidul Haque, Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at Chattogram University; Associate Professor Saima Alam; Assistant Professor Khandaker AR Raji; Saleh Noman, General Secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists' Union; and press club member Golam Maula Murad were present among others.