Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday warned that if the opposition paved the way for the return of autocracy while opposing the government, it would betray the martyrs of both the 2024 July uprising and the 1971 Liberation War.Calling for constructive opposition, he urged political parties to work together on fundamental national issues, including employment, public safety, healthcare, education and national independence, despite their political differences.
He said opposing the government merely for the sake of opposition would not help the country move forward.
The prime minister made the remarks while addressing a programme following the inauguration of the July Martyrs' Memorial and the renovated Osmani Udyan in the capital.
Expressing disappointment over the absence of opposition leaders, Rahman said the government had invited them to attend the programme alongside the families of those killed during the July 2024 uprising.
He said opposition leaders could have attended the event and sat with the martyrs' families without sharing the stage with government representatives.
Tarique Rahman said the sacrifices of those killed and injured during the uprising, including people who lost their eyesight, had helped create the political environment in which opposition leaders now serve in parliament.
He questioned why opposition representatives had stayed away from an event honouring those sacrifices.
The prime minister said both the government and opposition had received mandates from voters and must work in the public interest.
He urged political parties to move beyond the culture of blame and focus on issues affecting people's daily lives.
Tarique Rahman acknowledged that political parties could disagree over constitutional amendments and reforms but said they should seek common ground on employment, education, healthcare, public safety and national sovereignty.
He said parliament provided a platform for elected representatives to debate their differences and reach decisions in the public interest.
Drawing a parallel between the Liberation War and the July uprising, Tarique Rahman said both struggles sought to establish democratic rights, freedom of expression and voting rights.
He said the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives also included better education, healthcare, employment opportunities and a safe environment for future generations.
The prime minister credited the July uprising with helping restore a democratic environment in Bangladesh.
Referring to the BNP's political legacy, he said party founder Ziaur Rahman had introduced multiparty democracy, while former prime minister Khaleda Zia had initiated parliamentary democracy.
Tarique Rahman also said the government was working to provide medical treatment to those injured during the July uprising and assistance, including employment opportunities, to families of those killed.
Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the July Martyrs' Memorial alongside Abu Sayed's father Md Mokbul Hossain, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho's father Mostafizur Rahman, Shahriar Khan Anas's mother Sanjida Khan Dipti and Wasim Akram's father Mohammad Shafiul Alam.
The 90-foot-high memorial covers approximately one acre of land and bears the names of those killed during the July uprising. It also features 20 symbolic grave markers.
Relief sculptures at the memorial depict major struggles in Bangladesh's history, including the Language Movement of 1952, the mass uprising of 1969, the Liberation War of 1971, the mass movement of 1990 and the July uprising of 2024.
Tarique Rahman also planted a sapling before inaugurating the renovated 23-acre Osmani Udyan.
The park now features water bodies, new plantations, green spaces, around 3.1 kilometres of walking paths, exercise facilities, public toilets, parking areas and a rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of 50,000 litres.
During his speech, the prime minister urged architects and planners to minimise environmental damage during construction projects.
He also called on visitors to maintain cleanliness at the memorial and the park, describing them as public assets.
Referring to his recent visits to educational institutions, government hospitals and residential facilities for public employees, Rahman said he found educational institutions comparatively cleaner.
He urged hospital authorities and government employees to take greater responsibility for maintaining clean and healthy environments.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton attended the programme, among others.