United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said strengthening democracy requires not only the independent functioning of democratic institutions but also a change in the mindset of political parties, their leaders and activists. “Democratic institutions must be allowed to function independently, but at the same time, the mindset of political parties and their leaders and activists must change,” he said. Rizvi questions how Hasina presser was allowed to go ahead Rizvi, also BNP senior joint secretary general, made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Election Violence Monitoring Report: Bangladesh Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026”, organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. He said people want democratic institutions to be strengthened, the judiciary to function independently, the media to operate freely and the Election Commission to perform its duties independently. “Democracy is not merely a subject of political science or history. It is not even a matter of logic. It is a matter of psychology. If your mindset is not right, you cannot achieve anything,” the BNP leader said. He said it is natural in a democracy for the opposition to sharply and critically scrutinise the government. “There is no objection to that. But the criticism must be constructive, mutually beneficial and forward-looking. Only then will the journey of democracy become smooth and democracy develop in the state,” he said. “One hand cannot clap. Both the government and the opposition have roles to play. If you talk about only one side, a democratic environment cannot be created,” Rizvi said. He urged political leaders to remain cautious about their language, choice of words and the way they frame their sentences so that a violent mindset does not develop among their followers. The BNP leader said regardless of how many laws are enacted to strengthen democracy, it cannot be effectively established unless people’s mindsets change. Referring to the July 2024 mass uprising, he said had the movement failed, no one would have been spared. Rizvi said since August 5, 2024, action has been taken against around 1,500-2,000 leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations on various charges.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday urged India to stop border killings, saying a stable and friendly relationship between the two neighbouring countries cannot be built on repeated bloodshed along the border. “Repeatedly turning the border bloody can never build a good relationship. So, the BJP must stop the bloodshed,” he said, adding that if India truly wants to establish a lasting and friendly relationship with Bangladesh, it must abandon the mentality of violence. Rizvi made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the 45th National Council Conference of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) at the IDEB conference room in the capital. Referring to India’s assembly elections, he said it is entirely an internal matter for the Indian people to decide whom they vote for and which party they elect to power. “The people there may elect anyone they choose. We have nothing to say about that,” he said. However, the BNP leader questioned why Bangladeshis continue to be shot dead at the border. “The question is why Bangladeshis are repeatedly being killed by gunfire. How long will this bloodshed at the border continue?” he said. He noted that despite repeated discussions and claims by many that Bangladesh and India share “excellent relations,” incidents of border killings continue to occur. “Even yesterday (Saturday), two people were shot dead at the border. What kind of relationship is this?” Rizvi said, referring to the Brahmanbaria incident where two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead by Indian Border Security Force. He said neither the people of Bangladesh nor the people of India want such incidents, adding that the citizens of both neighbouring countries want peaceful coexistence. “Our people will vote for whomever they want and decide their own destiny. The same applies to India. We want the people of India to live in peace and happiness, and we want the same for ourselves,” the BNP leader said. He added that Bangladesh seeks an honest and neighbourly relationship with India based on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.