People want to get back their ownership over Bangladesh: Khasru

People want to get back their ownership of the country through exercising their voting rights, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (15 March).

"People are eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights and want to get back their ownership of the country that was snatched by ousted autocratic Hasina regime," he said.

The BNP leader was addressing as the chief guest at a discussion and Iftar Mahfil organised by Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) Chattogram center in the city.

Amir Khasru said that people's ownership over the country can be ensured by bringing back democratic order and establishing an elected government through participatory polls, as people is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights that were snatched in the past regime.

"Parliament and government should be formed by the elected representatives, which are the cardinal way to return to democratic system. No government can run the country properly without the support of the people," he added.

He said every single day we are passing without elected government is harmful for the country.   

"No country, no government can run without the support of the people. The police, administration and the government officials as a whole do not run the country. Their main strength is the government elected with the support of the people." he stated.

Amir Khasru, a former minister and one of the policy makers of BNP, said the freedom, the favourable environment we are enjoying now has not come easily but at a cost of huge blood and lives,

"Thousands of people had to sacrifice their lives following various types of oppression like killing, forced disappearance, custodial murder and died in jail without treatment during the past fascist rule," he said.

In this connection, Khasru added, "Even Begum Khaleda Zia was not given proper treatment. Many have lost their jobs and businesses. I pay tribute to those who fought bravely against these autocratic fascist forces in the past days."  

Amir Khasru said we want to establish a Bangladesh where people will live safely, think and express freely, we must nourish the culture of allowing difference of opinion and have tolerance to others as well as mutual respect to disagreed people.

Amir Khasru said we have to protect this freedom that we have achieved at the cost of many sacrifices and lives. We need to cherish the huge change that has taken place in the mindset of the people of Bangladesh after toppling and fleeing of Sheikh Hasina.   

IEB Chattogram center Chairman Engineer Manzar-e-Khurshed Alam presided over the function while Central Vice-President Eng. Mominul Haq, AEB Divisional President Eng. Selim Jane Alam, Chattogram Press Club Member Secretary Zahidul Karim Kachi, Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishard Member Secretary Dr. Khurshid Jamil Chowdhury, and Chattogram Metropolitan Union of Journalists President Mohammed Shah Nowaz and CDA Chairman Eng. Noorul Karim spoke at the function as special guests.