Time to move beyond ‘Ziaism’ and ‘Mujibism’: Nasiruddin Patwary

Convener of Jatiya Nagorik Committee Nasiruddin Patwary today (22 January) said they do not want any 'ism' like 'Ziaism [Ziabad in Bangla]' and 'Mujibism [Mujibbad]' in Bangladesh.

"Following the 2024 mass uprising, we do not want any ethnic hatred. We do not want any terrorist activities. We want to move away from the ideological divisions that exist in Bangladesh. We do not want any 'ism' like Ziabad or Mujibbad," he said while addressing a discussion.

The Jatiya Nagorik Committee arranged the event titled "The 1974 Famine: Its Impact on Bangladesh's Politics and Development Policy" as the third episode of a political discourse series in its central office.

Terming the 1971-1975 period a dark chapter of the history, he said the issues like famine occurred in the period were kept hidden from the eyes of the people through fascism.

The issues are not studied in our primary, secondary schools and universities, he added.

The Jatiya Nagorik Committee Convener said Bangladesh is likely to encounter increasing challenges over time, driven by its geopolitical position and the current political landscape. 

"These issues [like the 1974 famine] will show a path to overcome these crises and Bangladesh will be able to learn from them," he said.

He said all the country's institutions - Economic, cultural and political ones - were destroyed.

"Even a single institution out of all the political institutions established in the last 53 years has been able to work according to our expectations. But, that opportunity has come before you," he said pointing at the Zen-G of the 2024 mass uprising.

"The people will be at the prime place of sovereignty…. We want to fight for the people by focusing on the people," said Nasiruddin Patwary.