Referendum a historic chance to prevent return of fascism: Ali Riaz

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz today (7 January) said the upcoming referendum is being held to ensure that Bangladesh never returns to a fascist system of governance.

"The opportunity created by the referendum would not come again in the next five or even 10 years. This is a historic chance to decide how Bangladesh will be governed in the future. Everyone must work together to make the best use of this opportunity," he said.

Prof Ali Riaz was addressing a meeting virtually, organised to provide guidelines on the referendum for around 17,000 officers and field-level officials of the agriculture department.

Chaired by Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, it was also addressed by Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haidar as a special guest. Senior officials of the agriculture ministry and officers and field staff of its subordinate departments and agencies joined the meeting virtually.

Prof Riaz said that the agriculture ministry is one of the few ministries in Bangladesh with manpower deployed down to the upazila, union and village levels.

"You have close and regular contact with people. Through this, you have a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about the referendum," he added.

As the chief coordinator of the public awareness campaign on the referendum, Professor Riaz said thousands of people had laid down their lives during the 2024 mass uprising and the struggles of the last 16 years. 

"Through their sacrifice, they have entrusted us with a responsibility to ensure that we do not return to the previous situation," he said.

Addressing agriculture officials, he urged them to present the referendum to people in simple and accessible language. He suggested explaining it as a clear 'yes' or 'no' vote so that people can easily understand its significance. 

He also instructed officials to take time to explain what changes the referendum would bring and how it would shape the future of the country.

Speaking as a special guest, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haidar said, "We want to see a healthy, beautiful and democratic Bangladesh for future generations." Even after 54 years, there has been little progress in fulfilling this basic aspiration, he said.

Referring to the governance of the last 16 years and the July uprising, Monir Haidar said the experiences made it clear to everyone that major reforms of the existing system of governance and the constitutional framework are urgently needed.

He called on all concerned to participate spontaneously in the referendum to ensure that a fascist system never returns to Bangladesh.

At the meeting, he also elaborated on the key points of the leaflets prepared to build public opinion in favour of the referendum.

Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said the ministry and its subordinate departments and agencies would undertake a wide range of activities to raise public awareness about the referendum.

These initiatives include installing drop-down banners, preparing and distributing leaflets under their own management, disseminating messages through the Agriculture Information Service's mobile vans and regional radio centres, organising meetings and rallies in project areas, and using the agriculture department's 24/7 hotline service to promote awareness about the referendum.