Country must avoid return of fascism: Moyeen Khan

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has warned that Bangladesh must avoid return of fascism in the future, reports UNB.

"We don't want Bangladesh to be known again in the world as a fascist state. We want to build a humane Bangladesh," he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Wednesday.

Dr Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee member, said Bangladesh is now one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and by 2050 Dhaka is expected to become the most crowded large city.

"How we will manage such a city is something to seriously consider. Though we are not yet economically strong, we are surviving through an informal economy. Those who will govern the country in future must address these challenges," he said.

The BNP leader said the Awami League, instead of serving the people, created a system of self-serving power groups, which he termed an 'oligarchic structure.'

"As a result, the poor have become poorer," he observed.

The BNP leader said even after 54 years of independence, the nation is still searching for democracy.

"For democracy the people fought the Liberation War in 1971. They fought for economic rights and dignity. Those who led the country in the past and those who are leading now must answer why they failed," he said.

Dr Moyeen said every authoritarian ruler in Bangladesh faced resistance whenever they tried to take away freedom of speech.

"Modern state systems can be cruel because they make people numb and ignore human feelings. Those who come to power in future must make this clear," he said.

DAB President Prof Dr Harun Al Rashid chaired the discussion, which was attended by BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council members Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Prof Dr Forhad Halim Dona, and DAB Secretary General Dr Md Zahidul Islam Shakil and others.