Nothing has changed, bribery goes on: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday voiced frustration over the lack of meaningful change in the country’s bureaucracy after the July uprising, saying officials accustomed to taking bribes had merely found “new tricks” to continue the practice and that he had seen little change apart from the efforts of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Speaking at a programme marking July Mass Uprising Day at the National Press Club in Dhaka, Fakhrul said the sacrifices made during the 2024 movement would only be honoured through genuine reform of state institutions and public administration.
“I see that nothing has changed,” he said.
Sharing his experience since joining the government formed after the 12 February national election, Fakhrul said entrenched practices within the bureaucracy had largely remained intact.
“Those who were habituated to taking bribes are now devising new tricks to do so. Similarly, those who used to obstruct good work still do so. People are changing their colours and these turncoats have now become the July warriors,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the state of the civil administration, he added, “I say this with a sense of regret, as I am quite old. I actually wanted to see the change, but so far, I don’t see it happening.”
Fakhrul said the old culture continued to persist under the current administration and stressed that change must extend beyond the government and political leaders to every section of society.
“Otherwise, our desired goal of the July mass uprising will remain elusive,” he said.
Despite his concerns, Fakhrul said he remained optimistic because of the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“I am hopeful as I see a change in the person who is Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He is trying to set new instances. The change will happen if we all help him and we all should do so,” he said.
Recalling Bangladesh’s history of popular movements, Fakhrul said the country’s progress had been shaped by the Language Movement, the Liberation War and the July uprising, all of which demanded immense sacrifice.
He said the July movement, which began over a specific demand, later evolved into a broader struggle for state reform that claimed the lives of many young people.
“Countless families are still bearing the pain of losing their children. This sacrifice will truly be meaningful when the desired change is established within the state and society,” he said, calling for a democratic, secular, merit-based and youth-friendly state.
Presiding over the programme, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the July uprising was the result of 17 years of repression against BNP leaders and activists and gained momentum through the political leadership of the party and the active participation of students, ultimately leading to the fall of the Awami League government.
He said the spirit of the July uprising, like that of the Liberation War, must not be reduced to “anyone’s self-serving event”, urging all to uphold justice, democracy and human values.
Bangladesh Press Council Chairman AKM Abdul Hakim, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President Quader Gani Chowdhury and National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, among others, also addressed the programme. 
A Department of Information publication was unveiled and a photo exhibition inaugurated. The event began with a minute’s silence and prayers for those killed in the July mass uprising.