Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom, on Thursday expressed strong optimism that both the treasury and opposition benches will work together in the national interest to realise the dreams and aspirations of the people through constructive parliamentary practices, reports BSS.
Addressing the inaugural sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangbad on Thursday, the Speaker said the parliament represents the spirit of democracy and the people of Bangladesh have always remained vigilant guardians of democratic values.
He noted that the country's hard-earned democracy was established through immense sacrifices by the people. Referring to the Bangladesh's Liberation War, the Speaker said the historic struggle of 1971 was fundamentally a war for democracy and the rights of the people.
He recalled that the armed struggle for independence began on March 26, 1971 under the leadership of the then Major Ziaur Rahman, inspiring the entire nation to join the war.
"Students, workers and people from all walks of life fought for nine months and secured independence for the country at the cost of enormous sacrifices," he said.
The Speaker prayed for eternal peace for the souls of all martyrs of the Liberation War, saying their sacrifices laid the foundation of Bangladesh's democratic journey. Highlighting the evolution of parliamentary democracy, Hafiz said the country witnessed several stages of democratic development over the decades.
However, democracy was interrupted at different times, including the introduction of a one-party rule in 1975 in Bangladesh, which he described as a moment when democracy was effectively buried.
Despite repeated setbacks and the rise of authoritarian regimes, the Speaker said the people of Bangladesh never stopped resisting autocracy. Through continuous struggles and movements, the nation repeatedly restored the democratic order.
Referring to recent political developments, he said a mass uprising led by students, political activists and ordinary citizens in July and August 2024 ultimately led to the fall of a fascist government.
He prayed for the departed souls of the martyrs of that movement, including Abu Sayeed, Mugdha and Wasim, who sacrificed their lives for democracy.
The Speaker said the general election held on February 12 this year was conducted in a free and neutral manner, expressing his personal conviction that it was the most credible election among the ten national polls he had experienced in his political life.
