No more traditional politics, people seek quality change

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, "People of Bangladesh no longer want traditional, stagnant politics. They want qualitative change. Politics must now be centred on improving people's lives, building a knowledge-based and skilled generation, and creating a brighter future."

He said these while virtually addressing the grand rally of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in the capital's Shahbag area on Sunday, marking the first anniversary of the historic July Uprising.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Chairperson's Adviser Amanullah Aman, and joint secretary generals Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and several other top leaders were present at the rally that began at 3:00 PM.

JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib presided over the programme. Thousands of leaders and activists from different JCD units across the country, as well as family members of student martyrs of the July Movement, joined the programme, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

In his speech, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the July Uprising.

He noted that BNP's policy in the coming days would focus on generating employment and ensuring safe working conditions. The party aims to reform the education system with greater emphasis on technical and vocational education, starting from the school level.

"Youth and women must be placed at the centre of development, and BNP has already developed a realistic plan for this purpose."

Tarique Rahman also mentioned plans to promote ICT, arts, and cultural education, along with compulsory learning of multiple languages. "English will remain a priority, and additional languages will be introduced at the primary and secondary levels to equip the students with skills for the global job market."

He said BNP would introduce young people to the digital economy by supporting small-scale online businesses as well as helping freelancers and outsourcing workers bring in foreign currency. Each sector would have targeted plans and reforms.

He urged the JCD activists to remain vocal on campus issues and students' needs, saying, "State expenditure on education should be seen as an investment, not a cost."

He said the country must be rebuilt with the values that mothers envision for their children - it should be free from fascism, extremism, and radicalism. He reminded the students that their voting rights were taken away, and urged them to restore democracy through the upcoming national election.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in his address, said the students, workers, and common people made sacrifices over the last 15 years for a better Bangladesh.

"The youth want to get job opportunities after graduation, establishment of industries, and rule of honest people. They want justice, equality, and a government that works for the people."

He said the people of Bangladesh are now eagerly waiting for the upcoming national election as well as Tarique Rahman's return to lead the nation. He also called for unity and cautioned against attempts to divide the country. Mirza Fakhrul said from the rally, a pledge must be made that there would be no space left for fascism in Bangladesh.

Speaking at the rally, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said his organisation would actively work to eliminate all forms of 'guestroom and ganaroom' culture from campuses, and also ensure a safe and inclusive academic environment. He also emphasised the need for regular student union elections, vowing to resist any return of dictatorship.

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