Opening a path for autocracy's return through opposition would betray the martyrs: PM Tarique Rahman at July Memorial inauguration

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that if opposition activity opens the way for autocracy to return, it will amount to betrayal of the martyrs of the July mass uprising and of the great Liberation War of 1971. The opposition will of course oppose, he said, but that opposition must be constructive; the country must move away from the old political culture of opposing for opposition's sake.

He made the remarks on Monday as chief guest at the inauguration of the July Memorial, built at Osmani Udyan in the capital to commemorate the martyrs of the July mass uprising, and of the modernised Osmani Udyan itself.

The Prime Minister said the BNP received the responsibility of running the government through the people's vote, while other political parties received the role of the opposition. The main responsibility of both the government and opposition benches in parliament is to discuss and debate the country's interests and people's welfare, and to implement decisions taken through that process.

He said the government is trying to change the fortunes of the country's people. Just as the opposition sits on the opposition benches with the people's vote, the government is in office with the people's support. The notion that only the governing party represents the people, or only the opposition does, should be abandoned, he said.

Addressing opposition leaders, the Prime Minister said opposition leaders had also been invited to the government-organised ceremony honouring the families of those killed and injured in the July uprising. Despite political distance from the government, they had an opportunity to stand beside the July martyr families and injured fighters.

He said everyone should come forward to honour those who gained political identity through the sacrifice of the July martyrs and injured. To hold the spirit of the July uprising means standing beside those who sacrificed in that movement and working to realise their aspirations.

The Prime Minister said BNP founder and martyred President Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy in the country, and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia introduced parliamentary democracy. To keep democratic practice alive, political parties must work unitedly in the national interest despite differences of opinion.

Noting that disagreement on every issue is a natural feature of democracy, he said there is scope to agree on fundamental matters such as employment, security, freedom, medical care and education for future generations. Parties may have their own positions on constitutional amendment, reforms and other issues; the people sent them to parliament to discuss and decide those matters there. Decisions must be taken in parliament by presenting arguments and opinions, so ordinary people can continue their daily lives and struggle for livelihood.

Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the venue at 10am. He then inaugurated the July Memorial together with Md. Mokbul Hossain, father of July martyr Abu Sayeed; Mir Mostafizur Rahman, father of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha; Sanjida Khan Dipti, mother of martyr Shahariar Khan Anas; and Mohammad Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim Akram. After the inauguration he planted a tree sapling in the memorial grounds, inaugurated the modernised Osmani Udyan, toured different parts of the park and visited the adjoining library.

Built to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the July 2024 mass uprising, the memorial is 90 feet high and stands on about one acre. The names of 834 martyrs have been engraved on it by laser cutting, and 20 symbolic grave plaques have been placed in front. Relief sculptures — 163 feet long and four and a half feet high on the outside, and 171 feet long and seven and a half feet high on the inside — depict the 1952 Language Movement, the 1969 mass uprising, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 mass movement and the July 2024 uprising, among other movements and struggles in Bangladesh's history.

The modernised Osmani Udyan is a historic 23-acre park at the junction of old and new Dhaka. Under the project, the old waterbody was renovated and five new waterbodies were built; existing trees were preserved alongside new planting and green islands. The park also has about 3.1 kilometres of walking paths, a gymnasium, a pagoda, public toilets, parking facilities and ghats on the waterbodies; a 50,000-litre rainwater harvesting system has been installed, and the two-tier park includes a fast movement path two metres above road level.

On the Osmani Udyan modernisation, the Prime Minister said infrastructure must be built for people's needs and the country's development, but those involved should be conscious of minimising harm to nature when constructing facilities. Alongside development work, preserving existing trees and the natural environment is essential. Recounting recent visits to educational institutions, government hospitals and residences of government officials and employees in the capital, he said cleanliness in educational institutions was comparatively good, but hospitals and residential areas need more attention; cleanliness and hygiene are extremely important in hospitals. Noting that pollution and uncleanliness raise the risk of disease, he called on every citizen to do their part from their own position to build a clean and healthy Bangladesh, and urged officials, staff and visitors to keep the park and memorial clean.

Chaired by Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Abdus Salam, the ceremony was also addressed by the Prime Minister's political adviser Mirza Abbas, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Local Government Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque and Local Government Secretary Shahidul Alam. Martyr Mugdha's father Mir Mostafizur Rahman and martyr Anas's mother Sanjida Khan Dipti also spoke. Civil Aviation Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Railways State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib, cabinet members, MPs and martyr family members were present.

Calling for the aspirations of the July and Liberation War martyrs to be realised, the Prime Minister said the aspirations of the martyrs of both movements are similar — they wanted a Bangladesh where people enjoy democratic rights, can express opinions freely and exercise voting rights; receive quality education and healthcare, where young people get employment and everyone can live safely. Noting that the BNP government is working for the welfare of July fighters, he said the government is gradually working to arrange treatment for the injured and support and employment for martyr families. To uphold the dignity of the martyrs' sacrifice, their dreams must be realised — that was the closing appeal of his speech.