Rizvi urges people to join effort to build democratic state

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday urged the people of the country to join efforts to build an effective democratic state, stressing the need to strengthen democracy and ensure regular, impartial elections.
“The current democratic system must be strengthened and made more dynamic to establish democracy on a permanent footing. To keep democracy vibrant, the continuity of impartial elections must be ensured,” he said.
Rizvi made the remarks in a message marking International Day of Democracy 2026.
“True democracy is impossible without universal education, social justice, and the rule of law. We have ousted autocracy and overcome difficult times, we must now throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the effort to build a functional democratic state,” he added.
He said continued democratic practice would prevent authoritarian forces from returning and protect people from oppression.
“Democracy creates an environment where people’s fundamental rights and freedoms are safeguarded. Elected representatives strive to provide services and reach equitable decisions,” he added.
Rizvi said a democratic state and society should guarantee equal participation and access to benefits for everyone, regardless of gender, and ensure equal legal and social rights for all.
The BNP leader said people had endured 16 years of hardship before witnessing the fall of the autocracy through a “historic, blood-stained movement” in July and August 2024.
“Following the free and fair election held on February 12, a truly democratic government has now been established in the country,” he said.
Rizvi accused the ousted Awami League regime of dismantling civil liberties, voting rights, human dignity and human rights during its decade-and-a-half rule.
“Through various draconian laws, freedom of the press was stifled, and many fell victim to enforced disappearances, murders, and extrajudicial killings due to their dissenting views,” he added.
He said former BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was imprisoned on false charges, while BNP Chairman and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman faced what he described as “barbaric persecution” through convictions in false cases.
Rizvi paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for democracy and expressed sympathy for the injured.
He said International Day of Democracy promotes democratic principles, the rule of law, freedom of expression, civil and human rights, and accountable institutions.
“The dark shadow of one-party authoritarian rule still looms over various countries,” he said, extending greetings to democracy-loving people worldwide.