BNP believes in building inclusive Bangladesh: Khasru

The BNP believes in building an inclusive Bangladesh where no one is left behind because of religion, caste or individual identity or physical limitation, party senior leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (15 September).

"We want a Bangladesh for all. There is no room for division based on religion, caste or personal differences. We want Bangladeshi nationalism to be seen as inclusive, not divisive," he said while addressing a training programme organised by Bangladesh Pratibandhi Kalyan Samity at its office.

He said BNP's politics is not just about development, but about production-driven growth that ensures wealth creation and fair distribution.

"Investment is not just about money; it must be about people. Every citizen needs to be empowered and their skills enhanced so they can contribute to production, wealth creation and fair distribution. The more a country produces, the more wealth it creates, and only when wealth is created can it be distributed. Without production, there is nothing to distribute," Khasru said.

He also said every citizen must be engaged, empowered and skilled in order to contribute to national production. "Through empowerment and skill-building, citizens generate production. From that production comes wealth, and when wealth grows, everyone benefits."

Khasru underlined the importance of making full use of Bangladesh's demographic dividend. 

"If able citizens, including people like you (physically challenged), are not empowered, the dividend will remain incomplete. To realise the full dividend, everyone must be empowered,"he added.

He said their party wants to move away from the politics of donation and charity by pursuing policies of empowerment. "Real change does not come from donations and charity. It comes from empowering people so they can play their part in nation-building and economic development."

The BNP leader also stressed the need to make the best use of the country's demographic dividend by ensuring that all citizens are empowered.

He also said ageing people should not be seen as a burden and no one should be labelled incapable simply because of age or physical limitations.

"No one is truly disabled until they are completely cut off from work and society. Even at 60, 70 or 80 years of age, people can remain productive if they are engaged. People may lose eyesight or face physical challenges, but that does not mean they have no ability. Everyone can and must be empowered, wherever their potential lies," Khasru observed.

He said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia introduced policies to include and empower marginalised and physically challenged people. "The responsibility of the state is to invest where capacity-building is needed, and to adopt policies that ensure empowerment."

Encouraging persons with disabilities to take part in politics, the BNP leader said, "We want you to come into politics. There should be no difference or division. In BNP, people are valued for their abilities, not their limitations. Your contribution cannot be represented by others; only you can best present your issues and solutions."

"Bangladesh belongs to everyone. Our dream for the future is not separate dreams for different groups – it is one shared dream for all citizens," Khasru said.

He also said their party will work to enhance the capacity and empowerment of persons with different abilities in building a new inclusive Bangladesh.

Referring to the political situation, the BNP leader said the street movement phase is over and now it is time to return the country's ownership to the people. "Every political party must seek its mandate from the people. Without public support, any attempt to act will undermine democracy."