Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that the nation has seen very little practice of democracy since its independence, calling it a misfortune for the nation.
He made these remarks on Tuesday at the concluding ceremony of the debate competition Civil Discourse National 2025: Voice of Democracy — Rethinking Bangladesh held at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy in Dhaka.
The event was also attended by Dhaka College Principal AKM Elias, Adcomm Holdings Managing Director Nazim Farhan Choudhury, Supreme Court barrister Rashna Imam, and BNP Foreign Affairs Committee member Ishrafi Khasru, among others.
Mirza Fakhrul observed that there is a common notion that “nothing good can come of Bangladesh,” which he dismissed as incorrect. He expressed concern over a survey he read earlier in the day showing that only 1.87 percent of Bangladeshi youth are interested in politics. “That’s not good news,” he remarked.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to liberal democracy, he said, “I must have the freedom to speak, and so must you. Unfortunately, Bangladesh has hardly experienced the practice of democracy.”
Recalling his brief stint as a state minister for finance, Fakhrul said, “When I traveled outside Dhaka, entire police contingents would stand and salute me. It made me feel very important. This mentality — of salutes, whistles, motorcades — gradually pushes us toward dictatorship.”
He cautioned that such hierarchical displays foster authoritarianism. However, despite the current challenges, he remained optimistic. “Many feel these are not good times, but I am always hopeful. Seeing young people organize such brilliant programs and think deeply about the country, I envision a bright future.”
Fakhrul also emphasized that today’s youth are far more capable than the previous generation. “They will play an even bigger role in shaping this country. We may have debates and differences of opinion, but that is healthy. That is what true democracy looks like.”
Highlighting the significant generation gap, he admitted it sometimes takes him time to understand young people — and vice versa — which he believes contributes to many current political problems. “If we could bridge this divide, many issues might be resolved,” he said.
Fakhrul stressed the need for greater interaction with Generation Z, noting that “the mindset in Dhaka is not the same as in Thakurgaon.”
He concluded by saying, “If we fail to close this distance, we won’t be able to build the generation, the force, the army that will transform Bangladesh.”
