BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to build a prosperous, self-reliant, and justice-based Bangladesh. He said, “We will build a Bangladesh where the prosperity and self-reliance of future generations are ensured, where there is an inclusive and liberal political atmosphere, social stability, and justice.”He made this commitment on Sunday (14 September) in a message issued to the media on the occasion of International Day of Democracy (15 September).In his statement, Tarique Rahman said the day has been observed globally since 2007 to raise awareness about the essence of democracy and its inherent strength. The United Nations introduced this day to encourage the practice of democracy among member states. “On this day, I pay deep respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for democracy in Bangladesh and across the world, pray for the salvation of their departed souls, and express sympathy for the injured. I also extend heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all democracy-loving people around the globe,” he added.

Recalling the legacy of his father, late President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, he said that Zia restored multi-party democracy by freeing the nation from the grip of one-party BAKSAL rule. “At the heart of his timeless philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism was multi-party democracy. True democracy is based on human dignity, freedom of thought and expression, and social justice and equality,” he stated.

Tarique also highlighted the role of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in advancing Ziaur Rahman’s democratic vision, despite enduring repeated attacks from authoritarian regimes. He noted that since independence, Bangladesh has faced recurring threats of dictatorship: political parties and newspapers being banned, freedom of speech criminalized, fraudulent elections staged, and democratic institutions systematically destroyed. “In pursuit of permanent power, an atmosphere of fear and authoritarianism was created. Over the past one and a half decades, the rise of Awami fascism has suffocated democracy and imprisoned the entire nation. Any effort to promote democratic principles has been brutally suppressed by the ruling Awami League,” he alleged.

This year’s International Day of Democracy focuses on the theme “Achieving Gender Equality Action by Action.” On this, Tarique Rahman said democracy ensures equal opportunities and dignity for all, regardless of gender or identity. “It is a fundamental human right. In a true democratic society, no one should face exclusion, and a strong environment of protest ensures the gradual establishment of equal rights,” he said.

Tarique described democracy as a universal value and a political system built upon the people’s freely expressed will to determine their political, economic, social, and cultural spheres. He recalled the historic student–people’s uprising of July last year, which led to the fall of an autocratic regime on 5 August.

“Now, we must work together, united, to re-establish democracy in Bangladesh. The foundation of our state repair will be free, fair, and participatory elections; independence of the judiciary and the media; and the institutional practice of all democratic principles,” Tarique Rahman concluded.