None to be allowed to disrupt public order, peace: PM

Stating that some quarters are out to create chaos, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Monday said it would not be possible to hold back the country's people by scaremongering.

"It will not be possible to hold back the people of Bangladesh with fear tactics. People of the country cannot be subdued," he said at Jashore rallies.

Warning that no one would be allowed to disrupt public order and peace, the Prime Minister said, "Let us remain alert so that no one can create disorder in the country again. We will not allow anyone to get the chance to observe hartals for 173 days anymore by destroying public peace."

Tarique Rahman, also the ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks at a public rally held at the Eidgah ground in Jashore town in the afternoon.

At that time, he highlighted statistics of sacrifices made by, repression on, and false cases filed against leaders and activists of his party during previous movements.

Noting that through implementation of the election promises, the government will be able to change the country's fate, the Prime Minister said, "The ultimate source of all power of BNP is the people of Bangladesh. Thus, BNP wants to complete the unfinished tasks left by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman for the welfare of the people."

Tarique Rahman said implementation of the unfinished works left by BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, which were not executed over the past 20 years by the previous "fascist government", has now been resumed by her party, BNP, for the welfare of the people.

Noting that BNP does those works that benefit the people, he said, "We do not want to sell tickets rather we want to do real work. That is why we say- 'Korbo Kaj, Garbo Desh, Sobar Agee Bangladesh'."

Since the people have trust in the BNP, he said, they gave their mandate to the party through the 12 February polls.

"The people have given us the responsibility to implement our electoral promises."

However, a group of people do not like this public mandate and, thus, they have been delivering speeches in different places labelling BNP as a cohort of fascism, he said, urging the people to find out who are actually the collaborators of fascism.

"After August 5, BNP clearly stated that those responsible for killings in July-August must face justice. But we hear some people say 'we have pardoned everyone'," the Prime Minister said.

He said it was noticed recently that those who speak loudly were the same people who went far from Dhaka to hold a meeting with collaborators of fascism, and when people surrounded the place, they could not explain why they had met them.

Turning to the July Charter, the Prime Minister said the BNP signed the charter with political parties at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

"BNP will implement every clause and every line of that July Charter to be passed in the parliament," he added.

Urging all to keep vigilance against those who are trying to spread confusion in the country, Tarique Rahman said, "Those who had tried to mislead the country's people during the Liberation War in 1971, and later in 1986 and 2009, are now trying to mislead people again in 2026.

"So, we must remain alert as we need to build the country, take it forward and change the fate of our country's people."

Prime Minister Tarique said the government will introduce LPG card for women alongside the existing family-card programme to ease cooking-related hardship.

"Our mothers and sisters face difficulty every day. They struggle daily to manage food for their family. They also have to cook, for which they need gas or firewood. This creates problems," he said while addressing the Jashore Central Eidgah Ground, arranged by the district BNP.

"Half of Bangladesh's population is women. If they remain behind, the country cannot move forward. That is why we aim to make women economically self-reliant," the Prime Minister told his audience.

Earlier, the Prime Minister formally inaugurated the Ulashi Canal re-excavation project by digging earth with a spade and later planted trees along the bank of the canal in Sharsha upazila.

Addressing a gathering there, Tarique Rahman urged the country's people not to pamper those who are trying to create chaos and mislead people over the referendum and the July National Charter for their own political gains.

"Some individuals and political parties are now trying to divert the referendum in a different direction and create confusion across the country," he said.

The Prime Minister listed several government initiatives, including family card for women, farmer card, canal excavation, the reopening of closed mills to create jobs for unemployed youth, expanding healthcare to rural areas and tree-planting drives.

"We have seen that since independence, at different times, certain quarters have tried to create unrest, confusion and disorder in the country. Whenever BNP has taken programmes to improve people's lives, we have seen how, in the name of movements, a 173-day hartal was enforced. Do you remember how those 173 days were used in an attempt to destroy the country's economy?"

Tarique Rahman said the same 'ghost' has now possessed others again, urging people to remain alert against this quarter.

The Prime Minister warns that the elements trying to create disorder in the country could obstruct the government's development programmes and harm public welfare.

He stresses that people themselves must ensure that no one is allowed to undermine the nation's progress.

"If we remain united and alert, no one will be able to play with the destiny of Bangladesh," he says.

The Prime Minister also recalls the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, saying that people had already shown how they respond to attempts to ignore their will.

"Just as the people gave a fitting reply on August 5, they will do so again in the future if anyone tries to play with their fate," he forewarns.

The Prime Minister also announces a plan to make education free for girls up to degree level.

Referring to past initiatives taken by his mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman said education for girls had earlier been made free up to the school level during her first tenure and later extended to the intermediate level.

"We want to take that programme further…we have decided that, Inshallah, girls' education will be made free up to the degree level. Not only that, stipends will also be introduced for those who achieve good academic results."

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also visited the historic Jashore Institute Public Library. Speaking to citizens present at the library, he said the government has taken a plan to build a reading habit among children, keep them away from excessive mobile-phone use and reduce their dependence on digital devices.

Inputs taken from BSS,

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