Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said the opposition that paving the way for a return to authoritarianism by opposing the government without justification would amount to betraying the martyrs of both the July mass uprising and the 1971 Liberation War.
“ If you open the way for authoritarianism while opposing the government, it will certainly not bring a good outcome for the country. It would be a betrayal of the July martyrs and, in the same way, of the freedom fighters of 1971,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the July Memorial and the renovated Osmani Udyan beside the Secretariat.
He urged opposition parties to play a constructive role in Parliament and work with the government on issues of national interest.
Tarique said people are watching how the opposition is opposing the government simply for the sake of opposition.
“Of course, you will oppose the government. But opposition must be constructive. If we remain stuck in the old culture of opposing just for the sake of opposition, how will we move the country forward?” he asked.
Referring to the mandate given by people in the 13th parliamentary election, the Prime Minister said voters entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of governing the country and other parties with the role of opposition.
The purpose of having government and opposition parties in Parliament, he said, is to discuss national and public interests, reach decisions through deliberation and implement them.
He also called for an end to the politics of blame, saying neither the government nor the opposition should claim an exclusive role in representing people.
“Both the government and the opposition represent people. We should move away from this culture of blame and accusations,” Tarique said.
He questioned the absence of opposition leaders from the programme, saying the event has been organised to honour those who sacrificed their lives during the July uprising.
The Prime Minister said invitations were extended to important leaders of both the government and the opposition.
“They did not have to sit on this stage. But if they truly believe in the spirit of July, they could have come and sat among the families of those who were martyred. We do not see them here today,” he said.
The Prime Minister said opposition leaders and lawmakers have gained recognition through the sacrifices of those who lost their lives, were injured or lost their eyesight during the uprising.
He said their presence among the families of the martyrs would have demonstrated that they, too, embraced the spirit of July.
Tarique said differences over constitutional amendments and reforms are natural in a democracy, but the government and opposition should be able to reach agreement on issues such as public safety, national independence, healthcare, education and the future of the country’s children.
People have sent both sides to Parliament to present their arguments, debate issues and reach decisions, he said, so that citizens could continue their daily lives without disruption.
The Prime Minister said people wanted stability, peace and progress, as well as improvements in their living standards and the opportunity to exercise their democratic and economic rights.
He urged political parties not to disrupt people’s business, jobs, education and healthcare through road blockades and other programmes.
Tarique also referred to the contributions of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman to multiparty democracy and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to the restoration of parliamentary democracy.
The Prime Minister called on opposition lawmakers to join the government’s campaign against dengue, saying Aedes mosquitoes did not distinguish between members of the ruling and opposition parties.
He said the government has been conducting cleanliness drives for around one and a half months with the participation of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Scouts, students, voluntary organisations and sanitation workers across the country.
“I would like to tell the opposition lawmakers that Aedes mosquitoes do not recognise the ruling party or the opposition. Let us all work together to eliminate dengue in the interests of the country and its people,” Tarique said.
He urged people to continue cleaning their neighbourhoods, noting that the early-morning cleanliness activities seen in the first few days had become less visible.
Tarique called on architects and planners to minimise damage to trees and nature when designing and constructing buildings and other infrastructure.
He said development was necessary to meet people’s needs, but efforts should be made to protect the environment as much as possible.
The Prime Minister also urged people to keep Osmani Udyan clean and refrain from dumping rubbish there, stressing that environmental pollution contributed to a rise in diseases.
He called upon people across the country to work together to build a cleaner Bangladesh.
Tarique ended his speech by praying for the souls of those killed in the July uprising and wishing a speedy recovery for those injured.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed , Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Mirza Abbas, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, among others, addressed the programme chaired by Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam.
Civil Aviation Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat, Railways State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib, other cabinet members, lawmakers and family members of July uprising martyrs attended the event.
Mir Mostafizur Rahman, father of July uprising martyr Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, and Sanjida Khan Dipti, mother of martyr Shahriar Khan Anas, also spoke at the event.