Institutionalising democracy and ensuring its protection should be the country’s foremost priority after years of political struggle and sacrifice, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Tuesday.
He called on all stakeholders to seize the opportunity to establish a functioning democratic system and cautioned against allowing it to be lost through neglect.
The president made the remarks while addressing a civic reception organised by Sylhet City Corporation at the Nagar Bhaban premises in the afternoon.
Speaking about the country’s democratic journey, Mirza Fakhrul said people had repeatedly taken to the streets for democracy, but their efforts had been disrupted on several occasions.
“The last 15 to 16 years were a complicated chapter in the country’s history. Political leaders and activists had to wage prolonged movements, while many people were killed and many others injured,” he said.
He said the sacrifices made during the long struggle had opened a window of opportunity to build a democratic environment.
“After a long struggle, bloodshed and the sacrifice of many lives to remove a fascist government, an opportunity has emerged to establish a democratic environment. We must use this opportunity to institutionalise democracy,” he said.
The president said a government had already been formed through an election, but the government now faced the major challenge of rebuilding the country and meeting people’s expectations.
“Simply holding an election does not establish democracy. Democratic institutions must function effectively and parliament must play its proper role,” he said.
Political differences between the ruling and opposition parties are inevitable, he said, but such differences must be addressed through dialogue.
“The government and the opposition have a shared responsibility to sustain democracy. Everyone must play their part so that parliament can function properly,” he said.
He added that disagreements over different issues should be settled through discussion rather than confrontation.
The president stressed the need for political parties to reach consensus on issues of national interest.
“There will be a government and an opposition, and there will naturally be differences on various issues. But on matters concerning the national interest, everyone must reach a consensus and move forward together,” he said.
Praising the people of Sylhet, Mirza Fakhrul said the region had a long tradition of hospitality and peaceful coexistence, as well as standing up against injustice.
He said Sylhet’s people had made considerable sacrifices during the country’s democratic struggles.
On the region’s development, the president said local ministers and lawmakers were working to address Sylhet’s challenges and realise its potential.
Several major projects had already been taken up, he said, expressing hope that their implementation would help fulfil the longstanding aspirations of Sylhet’s people.
The president also paid tribute to notable figures associated with Sylhet, including former finance and planning minister M Saifur Rahman, mystic poet Hason Raja, Radha Raman Dutta, Sufi singer Shah Abdul Karim, Hemanga Biswas and writer Syed Mujtaba Ali.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Labour and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Chief Whip of Parliament GK Gaus, among others, spoke at the reception.
Earlier, the president arrived in Sylhet by air at around 11:25am. He subsequently visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shahparan (RA).
