Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman said an accountable and representative parliament elected by the people has begun its journey again in Bangladesh.
Addressing the first sitting of the 13th parliament on Thursday, he said the new legislature emerged through the sacrifices of thousands who died or suffered in the struggle against what he described as fascist rule.
“At this historic moment of the parliament, I express gratitude to Almighty Allah, whose mercy has allowed us to begin the journey towards building a just, democratic and humane Bangladesh,” he said.
Tarique made the remarks while proposing the name of veteran parliamentarian Khondker Mosharraf Hossain to preside over the House temporarily during the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Paying tribute to those killed in the struggle for democracy and rights, he said the sacrifices stretched from the 1971 War of Independence to the political upheaval of 2024.
He also remembered families who lost relatives during the protests, as well as those injured, imprisoned or subjected to what he described as political harassment and false cases under the previous regime.
Tarique said people from all walks of life — including students, farmers, workers, teachers, journalists, professionals and political activists — endured repression, abduction, torture and killings during that period.
Even secret detention centres described as “Ayna Ghar”, enforced disappearances and other forms of repression could not suppress the democratic aspirations of the people, he said.
The prime minister credited the courage of ordinary citizens, particularly students and young protesters, with restoring democracy in the country.
At the start of the session, he congratulated democracy-loving people across the country, especially those who played a leading role in the recent political movement.
Addressing lawmakers, Tarique said former prime minister Khaleda Zia established parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and worked to institutionalise it to protect citizens’ rights.
However, he said the democratic system was later undermined and parliament was reduced to what he described as a “subject of ridicule” under authoritarian rule.
Recalling Khaleda Zia’s political role, the prime minister said she fought until her final days to restore parliamentary democracy and defend people’s rights without compromising with authoritarianism.
“That long-awaited parliamentary democracy has begun its journey once again in the country today,” he said.
Tarique said Khaleda Zia was not alive to witness what he described as the restoration of democratic governance, adding that lawmakers remember her with deep respect as a leader who dedicated her political life to defending the country and its people.
Quoting BNP founder Ziaur Rahman — “If the people themselves become a political party, then I belong to that party” — he said the statement reflected the principle that people’s interests must come before those of individuals or parties.
Tarique said although he entered parliament as a BNP member, his responsibility as prime minister is to represent the entire nation.
“Our politics is about protecting the interests of the country and improving the lives of our people,” he said.
He said the BNP aims to build a self-reliant Bangladesh by ensuring economic independence for every family and called on lawmakers from all parties to work together to achieve that goal.
“Our parties, views and programmes may differ, but there should be no disagreement about building an independent, sovereign and self-reliant Bangladesh free from fascism and subjugation,” he said.
The prime minister also criticised the previous government, accusing it of weakening parliament instead of allowing it to function as the centre of national debate.
“We want to make this parliament the centre of discussion, debate and solutions to the country’s problems,” he said.
