BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "Every time people give their lives in the movement, opportunities are created but due to irresponsibility, that opportunity is wasted, this should not happen again. If we lose this opportunity to restore democracy this time too, Bangladesh will go backward for many years."

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'Expectations of mass uprising and the path to the country's democratic transition' organized by the Democracy Forum at the National Press Club auditorium on Saturday (July 19).

Mirza Fakhrul said, "We came together out of a sense of responsibility, we fought for democracy. We suffered a lot in this struggle. False cases were filed against about 6 million people, more than 1,700 people were disappeared, thousands were killed, and even more than 2,000 children and adolescents were killed. Through this horror, we were able to remove a fascist government. Now an opportunity has come to build a democratic Bangladesh. But unfortunately, that opportunity is also going to be endangered again."

He further said, "Those who do not believe in democracy, do not believe in the liberation and progress of the people, are regrouping. Killings, disappearances, everything is increasing. This deeply worries responsible political activists like us."

Calling on the government, the BNP Secretary General said, "Please do not delay. The solution to this crisis lies in three things - reforms, charters and elections. Quickly give an acceptable outline so that everyone can agree and move forward through elections."

Regarding the leadership of the caretaker government (interim government), Mirza Fakhrul said, "The head of the current government is an internationally recognized wise and honest person. We hope that under his leadership, it is possible to unite the nation and overcome the crisis. To follow the path of democracy, we must follow it on the basis of discussion, tolerance and acceptance. We believe in democracy, we believe in the spirit of the Liberation War. No conspiracy or oppression can stop us."

He said, "We will return to the people again. We will build Bangladesh as a welfare-oriented state through the implementation of the 31-point plan. Just as the people wanted independence in 1971, this time the people are demanding democracy."

The meeting was attended by Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Mass Solidarity Movement Chief Coordinator Jonayed Saki, State Reform Movement leader Advocate Hasnat Qayyum, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, People's Rights Council President Nurul Haque Nur, JSD leader Tania Rob, and others.