National unity must be strengthened to prevent return of fascism: Mahdi

Prime Minister's Adviser and Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin has called for strengthening national unity to prevent the resurgence of what he described as “fugitive fascism”, urging all pro-democracy forces to preserve the unity forged during the July Mass Uprising.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday night marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, Mahdi Amin said the country's pro-democratic forces must remain united despite political differences to safeguard the achievements of the movement.

He said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as the country's largest political party, had laid the foundation for the uprising through more than one and a half decades of sacrifices and struggles by its leaders and activists.

According to him, under the leadership of then acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, the country's political landscape was transformed into a clear divide between fascism and Bangladesh, bringing together all pro-democracy forces under a common identity.

Mahdi observed that although the unity achieved during the uprising had weakened over the past two years, disagreements and constructive criticism should not undermine the broader goal of protecting democracy.

"We may have debates and differences of opinion, but they can be expressed with wisdom and decency. We must strengthen national unity so that fugitive fascism cannot re-emerge," he wrote.

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Describing 5 August as a historic day, he said the victory of the July Mass Uprising in 2024 marked the restoration of democratic political rights after more than 15 years of what he termed fascist rule.

He said the movement succeeded because of the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life, including students, teachers, lawyers, journalists, farmers, garment workers, professionals and political activists, with women also playing a significant role.

According to Mahdi, the uprising reflected people's long-standing frustration over the suppression of freedom of expression, extrajudicial killings, denial of voting rights, money laundering and widespread irregularities.

He alleged that the then government had used the state machinery to suppress the movement, including opening fire on unarmed protesters and even using helicopters, adding that the violence had been documented by international media and reflected in a United Nations report.

Paying tribute to those killed and injured during the movement, Mahdi said thousands of people had embraced martyrdom while at least 30,000 others were injured, with many permanently disabled or losing their eyesight.

He mentioned the sacrifice of Abu Sayed in Rangpur and Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram in Chattogram as symbols of courage that inspired the nation.

Mahdi said preserving the broad national unity achieved against fascism remained the need of the hour, stressing that the July uprising was the result of the combined efforts of all pro-democracy political parties and ordinary citizens rather than the achievement of any single individual or political organisation.

He warned that attempts by any political force to claim exclusive ownership of the July movement would undermine its spirit and divide the nation.

"The people never forgot the martyrs of 1971, nor will they ever forget the martyrs of the 2024 July Mass Uprising," he said.

The adviser also said the BNP-led government was committed to ensuring transparent and impartial trials for past human rights violations and establishing the rule of law.

He added that the government was working to implement the party's 31-point reform agenda, the July Charter and constitutional reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aiming to build an inclusive, democratic, merit-based and self-reliant Bangladesh.

Mahdi further said the government would continue supporting the families of those killed and injured during the anti-fascism movement while pursuing the vision of a just and discrimination-free Bangladesh.