Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today suggested omission of the practice of using the word ‘honourable’ as a label for certain office bearers like the prime minister or parliamentary speaker. ‘I think the very seed of autocracy is sown in this particular word (honourable),’ he told the concluding ceremony of a debate competition at Bangla Academy’s Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Alamgir made the suggestion referring to the use of the word at the beginning of a mock debate that marked the concluding ceremony of the competition titled ‘Civil Discourse National: 2025’ jointly staged by the Bangladesh Dialogue and Dhaka College Debating Society. ‘Can’t we omit the word ‘honourable’ mentioned to address the prime minister or the speaker?,’ Alamgir said.
The politician remarked that Bangladesh has unfortunately never witnessed the proper practice of democracy since its emergence, attributing this to the legacy of Pakistani politics. He noted that there was a brief period when proper democracy was practiced, but the country eventually deviated from that course.
Alamgir emphasized that democracy is meant to accommodate diversified opinions, debates, and disagreements. He stated, ‘I may not agree with someone, but I will give my life for his or her right to express their opinion. This is what we believe in. We believe in this liberal democracy (and) this is what true democracy is.’
The BNP secretary general reiterated his belief in liberal democracy, asserting the importance of freedom of speech for all. Alamgir expressed his satisfaction with the activities of the current youth, contrasting with the pessimistic view that nothing good would happen. He noted that young people have advanced significantly and expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s future.
The event was also attended by members of BNP’s Foreign Affairs Committee Israfil Khosru, Barrister Roshna Imam, and Dhaka College Principal Professor AKM Elias, among others.