
Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), urged the country's democratic forces to stay united against fallen fascist forces. He made the remarks in a Facebook post on Friday, a day ahead of the anniversary of dictator Ershad’s fall.
Tarique Rahman wrote: "December 6 is an unforgettable day. On this day in 1990, autocracy met its end following a bloody and treacherous path. On March 24, 1982, Ershad violated his professional trust and oath, overthrew the elected president Justice Abdus Sattar at gunpoint, murdered democracy and imposed unconstitutional rule.
This was a violation of the constitutional politics that guaranteed multi-party democracy, which was initiated by the great announcer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. The dictator, Hossain Mohammad Ershad, turned democratic institutions into ruins.
To restore democracy, Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia waged a relentless struggle with firm resolve for nine long years, earning the reputation of an uncompromising leader. She built an indomitable mass movement. Following this, on this day, December 6, 1990, the combined strength of students and the general public defeated the autocrat, and democracy was liberated.
In the spirit of that hard-won democracy, the students and general public once again defeated a fierce fascist force on August 5, 2024. Historically, the fascist Awami League has been a dangerous enemy of democracy. Following the end of the misrule of the fascist Sheikh Hasina, our tireless struggle must continue to ensure the complete revival of democracy and the establishment of democratic values in the state and society.
During the misrule of Sheikh Hasina, the 'Mother of Democracy,' Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia, faced imprisonment, oppression and various forms of persecution. Due to continuous torture and harassment, the life of the ailing Leader of the Nation is now in extreme crisis. I pray to Allah for her swift recovery. Furthermore, millions of activists of the country's nationalist forces were subjected to boundless oppression and torture. The entire country was held captive.
On this day, I pay deep tribute to the memory of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the blood-soaked anti-autocracy movement from '82 to '90, and I pray for the salvation of their souls. On this memorable day of democracy's restoration, I extend greetings and congratulations to all countrymen, the custodians of democracy, who participated in the anti-autocracy movement.
I call upon all democratic forces to always remain united so that the defeated anti-democratic forces can never rise again.
Allah Hafez, Bangladesh Zindabad (Long Live Bangladesh)."




