Democracy Ensures People’s Freedom and Fundamental Rights: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that democracy is not limited to holding elections but is about ensuring people’s freedom and fundamental rights.

In a message issued on Thursday marking Shaheed Jihad Day and the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, Tarique, however, stressed that fair and credible elections are indispensable to sustain democracy.

“Free and fair elections are essential to preserve the flow of democracy. But democracy is not defined by elections alone—it means guaranteeing people’s freedom and fundamental rights,” he said.

Tarique urged the nation to resist all conspiracies by local and foreign vested interests, protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, and work to restore genuine democracy inspired by the sacrifice of Shaheed Jihad.

He said the sacrifice of Shaheed Nazir Uddin Jihad, an “undaunted soldier” of the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, would remain etched in Bangladesh’s political history.

Jihad, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist from Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, was shot dead by police in Dhaka on 10 October 1990 during the mass uprising that toppled military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Tarique said Jihad laid down his life for the restoration of democracy, freedom of expression, and press freedom in the country.

He noted that Jihad, as a fearless student leader, took a police bullet to the chest while leading the anti-autocracy movement and embraced martyrdom with unwavering courage.

“The blood of Jihad and others paved the way for the 1990 mass uprising that overthrew the autocratic regime. He became a symbol of courage and sacrifice for democracy,” Tarique said.

He added that autocratic ruler HM Ershad sought to destroy democracy, but Jihad’s ultimate sacrifice helped lay the foundation for its revival.

Tarique said the dream for which Jihad sacrificed his life must be fulfilled, or his soul would remain in anguish.

“On Shaheed Jihad Day, I pay my deepest respects to the memory of Shaheed Nazir Uddin Jihad, the fearless soldier of the anti-autocracy movement. I pray for the eternal peace of his soul,” he said.

In a separate message, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also paid tribute to Shaheed Jihad, saying his supreme sacrifice paved the way for the downfall of Ershad’s autocratic rule and the restoration of democracy.

Fakhrul said the best way to honour Jihad’s legacy is to uphold democratic values at every level of the state and society.