Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is raising hopes for social change in the post-July Bangladesh.
He said the Prime Minister is also trying to change the behavioral culture to build a new and non-communal Bangladesh.
The minister made the remarks while addressing, as chief guest, a publication unveiling ceremony, photography exhibition and discussion at the DFP Auditorium here on the occasion of the July Martyrs' Day 2026.
He said the Prime Minister himself asked people to throw garbage in dustbins to build a clean city and instructed the city corporations to build a clean city.
Mirza Fakhrul, also the BNP Secretary General, said the premier is raising hopes for change among the youth.
The minister also commented that it is difficult to move the country forward if the mentality cannot be changed.
He said there has been no visible change in the implementation of the aspirations of the July Uprising in the last five months.
"Only the Prime Minister is holding the change to build the country and society. Many who used to take bribes, commit corruption, and used opportunities are changing their stance from fascists to take advantage of the July changes. All this is sad," he said.
The Prime Minister is trying to change these cultures, he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said since 1947, the lives of the people of this country have had to be sacrificed to change the fate of the people.
Even though the country was separated several times at the cost of countless lives, including Khudiram Bose and Pritilata, the long-cherished inequality-free society was not established, he said.
He said countless people from 1952 to 2024 sacrificed their lives to change the society.
“Pakistan was divided, and Bangladesh was led by leaders like Maulana Bhashani and AK Fazlul Haque, but the society did not change. After 1971, the fascist ruler was ousted in 2024 at the cost of countless lives," the minister said.
He also talked about changing consumerist behaviour to implement the spirit of July.
"The chair of power is very strange. Sitting in the chair of power creates a different feeling....the chemistry changes after coming to power. The youth of 2024 have demanded a change in the character of the chair of power."
Mirza Fakhrul said he had held many meetings and always stated where are the youth who will change the country.
The youth in 2024 had come out in the movement and ousted the fascists from this country with their lives.
"If we go back to that previous society, the sacrifice of hundreds of lives will go in vain. We should value those who sacrificed their lives," the minister said, adding the spirit of that sacrifice must be upheld.
The veteran BNP leader said the late former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, was the first female freedom fighter in this country.
He said when Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared independence, the soldiers went to Begum Khaleda Zia and she said 'all the orders of your commander are the final. The call for independence must be followed'.
Fakhrul said Begum Zia had to be imprisoned but she fought till her death for the people of this country.
After Sheikh Hasina fled, he said, Begum Zia in a video message called for building a country free of revenge despite her serious illness.
Chaired by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, the meeting was attended, among others, by State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Choudhury and PSC member Dr Chowdhury Saima Ferdous.
At the beginning of the event, the guests unveiled the packaging of the July Martyrs' Day related publication and visited a photography exhibition.
Heads of various departments and organisations under the ministry, senior officials of the ministry, officials and employees of various levels, media personnel and invited guests were present at the event.