Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called for maintaining the national unity forged during the July 2024 mass uprising to prevent the resurgence of fascism. He also urged India not to allow former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to use its territory for anti-Bangladesh political activities if New Delhi genuinely wants friendly relations with Dhaka. He further called on the Indian government to stop playing the “Hasina card.”

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion held Saturday (August 8) at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University, marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising.

The discussion, titled “The Role of University Teachers in the Fall of the Fascist Government,” was organised by the Dhaka University White Panel and the University Teachers’ Association of Bangladesh (UTAB).

The home minister said allowing Sheikh Hasina to remain in India and make anti-Bangladesh statements or conduct political activities while simultaneously seeking friendly relations with Bangladesh was contradictory.

He said relations between Bangladesh and India should be based on mutual dignity, respect and sovereign equality.

“We hope the Indian government will understand the matter and stop playing the Hasina card,” Salahuddin Ahmed said.

‘No Single Group Owns the Spirit of July’

Salahuddin Ahmed said the July mass uprising should not be viewed as the achievement of any particular political party or group. He said the change came through 17 years of democratic struggle and the sacrifices of countless people.

He said the victory achieved through the blood of hundreds and thousands of martyrs could not be used by any single group as a tool to sell its version of the July spirit.

He called for maintaining democratic practices and political tolerance without falling into provocative traps in order to prevent the resurgence of fascism. He also stressed the need to complete the unfinished work of democratic reform of the state structure.

The home minister said the interim government formed on August 8, 2024, under Article 106 of the Constitution was the result of the long-standing aspirations of the country’s pro-democracy people.

He said the Sheikh Hasina government fell following a mass uprising by students and citizens against years of “oppression, enforced disappearances, killings and denial of voting rights.”

Salahuddin Ahmed also said, “The politics of the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina died in Dhaka and was buried in Delhi. The people of Bangladesh can no longer be misled through the politics of selling the spirit of the movement.”

Move to Limit Prime Minister’s Tenure to Two Terms

Speaking about future state reforms and constitutional amendments, the home minister said necessary safeguards would be incorporated into the constitutional framework to prevent any elected government from becoming authoritarian.

He said there would be an initiative to introduce a constitutional provision limiting a prime minister to a maximum of two terms. Effective checks and balances between the upper and lower houses of parliament would also be ensured, he added.

Salahuddin Ahmed said constitutions in democratic countries around the world had been amended according to changing social needs and circumstances. He said Bangladesh had also taken steps to amend the Constitution through democratic processes to meet the expectations that emerged after the July mass uprising.

Call for Youth Not to Fall for Provocation

Addressing students and young people, the home minister said they should not make provocative statements that reflect political immaturity.

He also claimed that attempts were being made to “trap” students of BUET and other educational institutions. He urged students to remain patient and tolerant and to express their protests through democratic means.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan, convener of the Dhaka University White Panel and secretary general of UTAB. Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam attended the event as special guests.

Speaking on behalf of families of those killed during the July mass uprising were Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, brother of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho; Shafiul Alam, father of Wasim Akram; Md. Abu Hossain, brother of Abu Sayed; and Nazma Khatun Lipi, mother of Ekramul Haque Sajid.

Memorial crests were presented to family members of those killed during the July uprising. Later, the home minister visited a special photography exhibition documenting the mass uprising.