Dhaka: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today emphasized the necessity of changing the mindset of political parties, their leaders, and activists to effectively strengthen democracy. Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'Electoral Violence Monitoring Report: Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections and Referendum 2026' organized by the human rights organization Odhikar at the CIRDAP Auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi highlighted that no matter the number of laws enacted to establish democracy, it cannot be effectively realized without a change in people's mindsets. He stressed the importance of developing a mentality of abiding by the law among all individuals as a fundamental step towards democratic strengthening.
Rizvi expressed optimism that leaving behind past occurrences, a new journey towards a more robust democracy should commence. He envisioned improvements in democratic institutions, an independent judiciary, free media expression, and an autonomous Election Commission as pivotal elements for this journey.
Emphasizing the role of the opposition, the veteran BNP leader underlined the necessity of sharp yet constructive criticism of the government as a normal democratic practice. Such criticism, he noted, should be mutually beneficial and future-oriented to ensure a smooth path for democracy to flourish.
Addressing the issue of language in political discourse, Rizvi advised political leaders to be cautious with their language, words, and sentence structures to prevent the development of violent attitudes among activists.
Rizvi also touched upon the vital role of judicial independence, expressing the expectation that judges should play a prudent role in delivering verdicts and expressing their opinions. He advocated for the independence of all state institutions to establish democracy and the rule of law, urging political parties to be mindful of their conduct and activities.