'Now is not time for talk, but for national reconstruction'

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon the people to remain vigilant against all forms of conspiracy, alongside focusing on national reconstruction. He made this call today (Tuesday) at a discussion meeting marking the second anniversary of the 'July Revolution', popularly known as 'July Uprising.'

The Prime Minister said, "There has been much talk, movements, struggles, arguments, and debates. Now is the time to rebuild the country and take it forward. Now is the time to patiently and cool-headedly keep a watchful eye on those who want to conspire, and to alert the people. At the same time, the plans presented before the people must be implemented gradually."

The Prime Minister pointed out that the people want peace, security, education, healthcare, and employment. Additionally, they want to exercise their political rights in due time. "So, let us devote ourselves to the work that the people want," he said.

The discussion meeting was organised by BNP at the Krishibid Institution Auditorium at Farmgate in the city. Senior leaders of political parties that were partners in the July movement were also present at the meeting.

Praying for the salvation of the souls of those who made sacrifices in the July movement, the Prime Minister said, "In the July movement, many people—including members of my own party and other political parties who were on the streets, as well as countless unknown individuals—have suffered in various ways. As much as we could from our side, and as much as the government can in the future, we stand by them. We will stand by these people to the best of our ability—we will arrange treatment for those who need it, and employment for those who need jobs."

He also prayed for the salvation of the souls of martyrs during the Liberation War and various democratic movements.

BNP Wants to Follow the Path of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia

The Prime Minister said, Ziaur Rahman worked for this country. From 1991 to 1996, during Khaleda Zia's time, around 80,000 industrial factories were established. So, his party wants to keep going in that path—a path whose benefits the people will reap.

He said, "The people will see that it is because BNP has done these works that my family or children are moving towards a secure future. This should be our politics. Many will say many things—we don't need to listen to all of them."

The Prime Minister added, that many have gone through various tortures and oppressions, and have lost many things.

"I have lost my home and everything. I have not seen the house I left behind. All of us have lost a great deal. Now the time has come for us to change our mindset. The people have given their verdict. What we will get is not the big issue. What we can give to the country and the people—let that be the oath of today's discussion meeting, let that be our pledge."
The PM said, a few days ago, 'Notun Kuri Sports' competition was held for primary school children. Twenty-two lakh (2.2 million) boys and girls participated in it. "When we sit down for discussions, we talk about many, many problems."

Dwelling on some social problems Tarique Rahman further said, "Our youth are getting involved in drugs. Now, how many will you give treatment to, and how many will you catch and put in jail? So we have to find a way out. You have to give them venues to burn their energy."

Citing an example of his childhood, he pointed out, "I had a desire to play the guitar, to play the piano. I couldn't. Perhaps you also had desires but couldn't learn. There are millions of children who have those desires—we have to create those opportunities for them. Then they will come to the right path."

Fatema's Story

The Prime Minister said, "All the BNP leaders and activists here are familiar with a name. The name is Fatema. She also went to jail with Amma (Begum Khaleda Zia). Fatema has a son. The other day, Zaima (Zaima Rahman) told me about it. Fatema's son now lives with her. When Fatema was with Amma, he used to stay at his village home. Now Fatema lives with her children. One day the son said, 'Mother, enrol me in such-and-such football club.' If that child is thinking about his own future, why shouldn't we collectively think of something better for the children of the country? We must understand what the children want. We have to create that path for them."

In his speech, he emphasised "Learning with Happiness." He said, "We want to reshape the education system accordingly. Whether you call it the spirit of July, the spirit of independence, or whatever—we believe in this. Because since childhood, I have seen that Shaheed Zia used to think this way for the people of the country, and Khaleda Zia used to think this way for the country and its people. Naturally, I will also think this way."

We Are with the July Movement

Referring to the July movement as the people's movement, the PM said, "The movement succeeded because the people wanted change. We have seen that at various times, different people have said different things to confuse the (members of) public. We have clearly stated that the credit for the success of the July movement goes to the people of this country. It is not the credit of any single individual or any single political party."

He said, "Over the past 17 years, our leaders and activists did not abandon the people and leave the grassroots. The success achieved in July-August came because the people were fully involved. That is, it was entirely a people's movement. Just as in 1971, the people of Bangladesh wanted an independent sovereign state, and that is why we achieved independence that day."
The 31 Points Belong to the People

PM Tarique Rahman also highlighted the reform proposals of BNP's former Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and the 31-point reform agenda involving allied parties. He said, "In the previous election, the people gave their mandate in favour of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. We presented 31 points before the people. Through this, it has become clear that the points we placed before the people for state repair—through our leader Khaleda Zia—the people have mandated that very proposal in the last election."

He added, "So now the 31 points are the people's 31 points. The main goal of our 31 points is to establish the people's political and economic rights." At this time, the Prime Minister also mentioned the fragile economy, the healthcare system, the divided administration, and the police administration after taking over the responsibility of running the state.

The meeting was presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conducted by Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

Among those who participated were: Mahmudur Rahman, President of Nagorik Oikya, a partner in the July simultaneous movement, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Chairman of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, Subrata Chowdhury, President of Gano Forum, Andalib Rahman Partha, Chairman of BJP (Bangladesh Jatiya Party), Zonayed Saki of Ganasamhati Andolan, Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Chairman of National People's Party, Mufti Mohiuddin Ikram, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and President of Bhashani Janshakti Party  Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu.

Also present were: Aminul Haque of Metropolitan North BNP, Rafiqul Alam Majnu of Metropolitan South BNP,  M. Monayem Munna, President of Jubo Dal, S.M. Jilani, President of the Swecchasebak Dal, Hasan Jafir Tuhin, President of the Krishak Dal and Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of the Chhatra Dal. 
Leaders present at the event also included Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain and Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.