State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit on Wednesday said Bangladesh does not belong to any single political party and urged everyone to take responsibility for building a “new Bangladesh” from their respective positions.
Speaking at a discussion and reception programme for July martyrs’ families and July fighters, organised by the Jashore district administration marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, Amit said attempts to teach the BNP and its chairman Tarique Rahman about the “July spirit” and the July Charter were amusing.
“When someone tries to teach BNP about the July spirit and speaks about the July Charter, it makes me laugh — who is saying what to whom?” he said.
The programme was held at the district Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
Amit said BNP had clearly stated that it supported every word and sentence of the July Charter signed by political parties with then chief adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, and that the party would take necessary steps to translate it into political action.
He said the country must move forward by rejecting the culture of disrespecting elders, insulting political opponents and making derogatory remarks that, according to him, was left behind by the previous authoritarian regime.
The state minister said some ordinances issued by the interim government could not be turned into laws due to time constraints during the last parliamentary session, which led to criticism against BNP over its stance on the July spirit and referendum.
He said the government had already clarified that the issue was not about rejecting the July spirit, but about reviewing some ordinances that contained flaws. He added that important ordinances related to enforced disappearances, human rights and a separate Supreme Court secretariat required further scrutiny.
Amit said the government had finalised amendments to the Human Rights Commission Ordinance and the Ordinance on Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearances, which would be placed before parliament for approval.
He said BNP respected the contributions of all those who participated in the July uprising and believed in equality and a discrimination-free Bangladesh.
The minister also questioned why July fighter Inam Siddiqui, who was left unable to lead a normal life after being shot in the head, was allegedly denied full state recognition during the interim government's tenure.
He expressed solidarity with the 10-point demands raised by the Jashore chapter of the July Fighters' organisation and later attended the reception programme.
Jashore Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashek Hasan chaired the event, while Police Superintendent Syed Rafiqul Islam and District Council Administrator Delwar Hossain Khokon were present as special guests. Local BNP, Jamaat, student and civic leaders also attended the programme.