Newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday called on both the government and the opposition to work together in the national interest to fulfil the aspirations of the people and strengthen democratic institutions.
Addressing the House after assuming office, the Speaker said the ideals of the 1971 Liberation War—equality, human dignity and social justice—must guide the work of the current Parliament.
He said the people of Bangladesh have long struggled to realise these goals and have cherished the dream of building a just and equitable society.
“The responsibility of turning these aspirations into reality now lies with every member of this august House,” he said.
Describing democracy as a system based on majority rule, Speaker Hafiz Uddin said both the government and the opposition must remain united in safeguarding national interests and implementing the hopes and expectations of the people.
He assured the House that he would always try to ensure that the opposition can play an effective and meaningful role in Parliament.
“In the interest of maintaining neutrality, I have already resigned from my position as a member of the standing committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” he said, seeking sincere cooperation from all lawmakers.
He also said the Parliament must function as the centre of all political and administrative activities in the country, urging members to place national interest above party interest.
“Our guiding principle should be ‘Bangladesh First’,” he said.
Referring to the historic significance of the moment, the Speaker said lawmakers had gathered in the great National Parliament at a critical time in the country’s democratic journey.
“The people of Bangladesh are the vigilant guardians of democracy, and this Parliament is its symbol,” he said.
He said democracy in the country has been established and sustained through the sacrifice of the people.
Recalling the Liberation War of 1971, he said it was essentially a war for democracy. He noted that the armed struggle began on March 26 under the leadership of Major Ziaur Rahman and soon turned into a nationwide resistance movement.
People from all walks of life—including students, workers and professionals—joined the nine-month war and made immense sacrifices to achieve independence, he said, offering prayers for the souls of all martyrs of the Liberation War.
The Speaker said Parliament has witnessed many stages in the development of democracy in Bangladesh, although the democratic process had been disrupted at different times.
He noted that in 1975 democracy was effectively abolished when a one-party system was introduced, and the country later experienced periods of authoritarian rule.
However, he said the resilient people of Bangladesh repeatedly resisted such regimes and struggled to restore democratic governance.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also referred to the mass uprising in July-August 2024, when students, political activists and ordinary citizens united to overthrow what he described as a 'fascist government'.
He paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the uprising, including Begum Rokeya University Rangpur student Abu Sayeed, Mir Mugdha of Dhaka and Chattogram Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activist Wasim Akram, praying for eternal peace for their departed souls.
The Speaker also expressed satisfaction over the parliamentary election held on March 12, describing it as the fairest election he had witnessed in his experience of participating in ten national elections.
“The people are now eagerly waiting to see how this Parliament performs,” he said.
He emphasised that fulfilling electoral promises is the primary responsibility of every Member of Parliament and urged lawmakers to work sincerely to meet the expectations of the people.
The Speaker concluded by thanking members for their cooperation and reiterating the need for unity and commitment to democratic values in the functioning of the House.