Political unity a must to prevent rise of fascism: Home Minister

National unity is essential to prevent the rise of autocracy and fascism in the future, and political unity is the most important prerequisite for achieving this goal, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.

Referring to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance’s long march from Dhaka to Kushtia on Saturday, the minister said solutions should be reached through dialogue rather than by resorting to long marches.

Salahuddin also called on the opposition to join the reform committee to discuss constitutional reforms, including the proposed upper house of parliament.

He made the remarks at a seminar held at the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon.

The minister said steps must be taken to ensure that no autocratic or fascist system of government is ever established in Bangladesh again.

To this end, he said, state institutions must be strengthened through constitutional amendments, while checks and balances and accountability must be ensured.

Salahuddin also emphasised the need to ensure press freedom, judicial independence, an independent Election Commission and a caretaker government system to protect democracy.

He said the aspirations of the July Mass Uprising, people's expectations and the demands of the current generation must be reflected in constitutional amendments.

Seeking the opposition's cooperation in constitutional reforms, the home minister said amending the constitution through political consensus would be most beneficial for the nation.