People of Bangladesh will determine their future, not Trump, Xi or Modi: Fakhrul
"Let us all come together and help Prof Yunus. However, there is no alternative to democracy," says the BNP secretary general
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the people of Bangladesh will determine the country's future, not the leaders of other countries.
"Trump won't come from America and fix it for us, nor will Xi Jinping from China or Modi from India. We must understand this truth," he said at an event titled "Empowering Bangladesh: Pathways to Leadership, Unity, and Growth", at the North South University (NSU) in the capital today (19 April).
The BNP leader said, "Just like everyone was united during the Liberation War to build the country, everyone united and fought in 2024. Our children, the youth, have led every movement in the country from the front."
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"If the US tariff issue is not resolved, we will face greater danger. I believe that we can overcome these problems quickly if we can support those involved in agriculture, give them work and new technology.
"Let's work together. Yes, we have problems, but they can be solved. Many already have. I'd like to thank Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for taking responsibility — I believe he will succeed. Let's all support him and help ourselves in the process. But one thing is certain: there is no alternative to democracy, and democracy cannot be imposed — it must be practised," he said.
Fakhrul said, "We have always had political problems, even during 150 years of British rule. Political debate is in our nature. We even discuss politics at tea stalls."
"Bangladesh faces many problems. The country itself was born out of pluralism, though many misunderstand this. It came into being through diverse ideas; many different thoughts converged here. During the liberation war, we had many leaders, like as Maulana Bhashani, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Mahbub Ullah were prominent leaders at the time," he continued.
"Back then, everyone had different ideologies — some believed in socialism, some in communism, and others focused on religious values. But when the war began in 1971, we all came together and fought as one. The same has happened in 2024. Despite our different ideologies, we came forward when students were shot at — we all took to the streets," said the BNP leader.
He said, "We've been fighting for democracy for nearly a hundred years. We've made many sacrifices; many have given their lives. Just recently, we lost thousands of young lives."
Paying tribute to them, Fakhrul added, "It is because of their sacrifices that Bangladesh continues to dream of becoming a beautiful, peaceful, and happy country since its inception."
Mirza Fakhrul observed that people are becoming increasingly disheartened due to the current situation in the country, television talk shows, and intellectual discourse. Where political persons and others make different perceptions.
"People are asking—after so much bloodshed, so many mothers losing their children—what will be the outcome? I firmly believe the outcome will be positive. The people of Bangladesh have always fought for good and have always won," he said.
The BNP leader also emphasised that whatever progress Bangladesh has achieved, it has all been for the youth. "From the Language Movement of 1952 to the July-August movement in 2024, our youth have always been at the forefront as the vanguard—and that is our strength."
