Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Friday said there has never been a greater opportunity to put the country on the right track than the present, thanks to a combination of factors.

“Taken together, the mass uprising, the blood, sacrifice of life, the transparent election, effectiveness of parliament, and sincerity of Tarique Rahman have created a chance to institutionalise democratic values. Otherwise, the opportunity will fade away,” he said.

Bangladeshi nationalism reflects inclusive national identity: Information Minister

The I&B Minister made these remarks at a program held at Dhaka University's TSC, organized by the DU Debating Society, titled ‘July Mass Uprising and the Democratic Transformation of Bangladesh’.

The minister said that the current movement is more vibrant than any other movement in post-independent Bangladesh.  

He said, “The movement led Bangladesh to a less controversial national election, resulting in an elected parliament while preserving the spirit of the July Uprising. As conscious citizens, we are trying to assess how much of the country's democratic transformation we have been able to restore. To better understand these issues, debate is the best platform.”

“Unable to hold debate on such practical issues is the main cause behind our democratic crisis.”

He urged DUDS to transform debate into a culture, not only in the TSC but also across the nation, saying the government will patronize such an initiative.

He alleged that a group of people are busy taking credit for the July Uprising. “Observing a growing obsession with who would emerge as a star and how will expand their fame. To carry forward the responsibility entrusted by the martyrs, we can’t act with such immaturity,” he added.  

Mentioning that the government is making its utmost efforts to bring everyone together and steer this achievement toward its intended goal, he said, “The first step toward achieving this is to transform the parliamentary system into an effective institution and upholding it. This is the basic need.”

Swapan added: “This is the challenge we are facing. Despite ample room for democratic debate, the allies of the democratic movement repeatedly revert to the same old practices. We want to believe that they will overcome this confusion. We will wait until the very end, because the sacrifices and achievements of our martyrs must not be squandered.”