Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Monday said the beauty of parliamentary democracy lay in the co-existence of differing views and approaches, urging lawmakers to resolve issues through discussion and reason while prioritising national interests.
He made the remarks in his opening address on the first day of the fourth session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, which began at 3:30pm with him in the chair.
He said lawmakers must play a responsible role in meeting public expectations while upholding parliamentary rules, decorum and mutual respect.
Describing the Jatiya Sangsad as the highest institutional expression of public sovereignty, democratic aspirations and public opinion, the Speaker said Bangladesh had a long and eventful history of struggle for democracy and voting rights, marked by repeated demonstrations of public courage, sacrifice and determination.
He said the Awami League government had undermined democracy during its 17 years in power through dummy elections, injustice, oppression, persecution and extrajudicial killings.
The July 2024 mass uprising, he said, had marked a new beginning in the country’s democratic journey, adding that genuine development was impossible without democracy.
Highlighting the public’s high expectations of Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said one of its key responsibilities was to uphold the dignity of the Constitution and respect the public mandate, establish the rule of law, ensure accountability and protect people’s rights.
He said discussion, reason, mutual respect and responsible expression of differing opinions were the core strengths of parliamentary democracy.
Referring to the 1971 Liberation War, the Speaker said Bangladesh had emerged as an independent and sovereign nation through immense sacrifice, courage and patriotism. The Liberation War remained the foundation of the country’s national identity and a source of inspiration for future generations, he added.
He also described the July-August 2024 mass uprising, led by students and joined by the general public, as another significant chapter in the country’s history. The uprising reflected people’s democratic aspirations, determination to establish their rights and expectations of building a discrimination-free state, he said.
Concluding his address, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad prayed to Almighty Allah for Bangladesh’s peace, stability, justice and prosperity. He also sought strength and wisdom for lawmakers to discharge their responsibilities properly.
