BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has lamented the prevailing antagonism among political parties in Bangladesh, asserting that while they advocate for democracy, they fail to practise it.
"We have engaged in conflicts against one another. Merely speaking of democracy without practising it will lead us nowhere," he stated while speaking as the chief guest at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Economics Department at Dinajpur Government College on Friday (3 January).
He emphasised that progress could only be achieved through democratic practices rooted in tolerance.
"Democracy can only be established if we advance with tolerance. Unfortunately, Bangladesh lacks strong democratic institutions; instead, democracy has been systematically destroyed over the years," he said.
Reflecting on the past, Fakhrul expressed sorrow over the erosion of electoral rights.
"What a tragic era we have endured. We could not even vote. Generations born in the last 15 years do not know what voting is. Three consecutive terms of fascist rule have created an environment of fear, repression, and plundered the nation’s resources," he remarked.
Fakhrul further alleged that these regimes had siphoned off $280 billion (approximately BDT 28 lakh crore) over the past 15 years.
The event, presided over by the Acting Head of the Economics Department, Professor Zaheda Parveen, also featured speeches by former principal Professor Golam Rabbani, Professor Abdul Jabbar, and Professor Md Idris Mia.
It was attended by former colleagues and alumni.
Mirza Fakhrul served as a lecturer in the Economics Department at Dinajpur Government College from 1972 to 1978.
In addition to his teaching career, he was actively involved in sports and cultural activities, earning significant recognition for his contributions.
