Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has warned against any return of authoritarianism, saying no anti-democratic or autocratic force should be allowed to re-emerge.
Speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled "Aloy Aloy Smriti Somujjol" at the Central Shaheed Minar, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at the first hour of July to honour the martyrs of the July-August uprising, Rizvi said the July movement was unprecedented.
He paid tribute to the martyrs of the July-August mass uprising, describing
their sacrifices as symbols of extraordinary courage and calling on
young people to remain vigilant in defending democracy.
"The July mass uprising was an extraordinary movement. I have not seen the Great Wall of China, but I have seen Abu Sayed's chest. I witnessed how he stood like the Great Wall and faced bullets," he said.
Referring to another martyr, he added, "I have not seen the Himalayas, but I have seen Wasim Akram standing like the Himalayas, embracing blazing bullets with his chest."
Rizvi expressed gratitude to Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal for its role in the movement.
Recalling the grief of families who lost their loved ones, he said, "I have not seen the Pacific Ocean, but I have seen the tears of Ahnaf's mother. Those tears reminded me of the Pacific, though I believe even that ocean cannot equal a mother's tears."
The BNP leader urged people to keep alive the memories of the martyrs, saying the light of remembrance should not be limited to a single day but continue every day.
"We must keep all our windows open. The martyrs will return quietly in our memories, and they will inspire us so that no false dreams can take root in our minds," he said.
Rizvi also warned against any return of authoritarianism, saying no anti-democratic or autocratic force should be allowed to re-emerge.
Alleging corruption under the previous government, he said money had been looted from projects, including metro rail and flyovers, and claimed those funds had not entirely disappeared.
The BNP leader also alleged that elements of the previous regime still had the capacity to spread violence across the country, saying signs of such activities were visible at different times.
Addressing students and young activists, he said history shows that young people never sleep when democracy is under threat.
"They must remain prepared for more struggles, more movements and a more determined march toward democratic goals," Rizvi said.
