Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today asserted that dictatorship and fascist regimes can no longer endure in Bangladesh. “People were unable to speak freely for the past 15 to 17 years. But that does not mean they will remain silent in the days to come,” she declared while inaugurating the ‘Mughda Mancha’ at Rabindra Sarobar in Uttara Sector 3, built in memory of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughda, a martyr of the July Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ‘Mughda Mancha’ was constructed by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). During the event, Farida paid tribute to the parents of the martyrs, affirming, “We support your demands. We want a Bangladesh where no mother will lose her child, and no father will have to carry the body of his beloved child on his shoulder.” She emphasized the right to protest, stating, “We will agitate and protest. But we do not want a police force that shoots at us.”
Farida also referenced the 2018 safe roads movement, noting, “At that time, school and college students said the state needed to be repaired. In July 2024, the students and the common people stood against the state and proved it once again.” She concluded by saying, “The process of repairing the state will continue.”
The event was presided over by Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz. Other speakers included Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, National Citizen Party (NCP) Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Zara, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Md Asaduzzaman, mother of martyr Naima Sultana, father of martyr Jabir, and July injured fighter Abdul Aziz. The programme was moderated by Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha, brother of martyr Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughda.