Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday stressed the need for major changes in the country’s political culture alongside the establishment of the rule of law to build what he described as a safe, humane and democratic Bangladesh.
Speaking at the inauguration of a three-day national programme marking the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Trishal, Mymensingh, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh must revive its long-standing religious, social and cultural values to overcome moral and social decline.
The event, titled “Tobu Amare Debo Na Bhulite,” was organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at Nazrul Mancha in Trishal, where many memories of the poet’s childhood are rooted.
Tarique Rahman said Kazi Nazrul Islam represented the spirit of Bangladesh’s national identity, nationalism and cultural heritage. According to him, Nazrul’s works reflected resistance against oppression, human dignity, communal harmony, youth, love and social justice.
“To establish a humane society, the rule of law must prevail, and political culture must change,” he said.
The Prime Minister also called for removing injustice, poverty, division and oppression from society while urging citizens to embrace the vision of “Bangladesh First.”
Referring to recent social unrest and moral decline, Tarique mentioned the killing of child Ramisa in Dhaka’s Mirpur area as an example of deteriorating human values in society.
He further alleged that previous authoritarian rule had weakened state institutions, including the judiciary, while also damaging the country’s moral and cultural foundations.
Highlighting BNP’s historical connection with Nazrul commemorations, Tarique recalled that former president Ziaur Rahman participated in the poet’s funeral in 1976, while former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia established the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal.
The premier also urged the ministries concerned to examine the possibility of declaring Trishal as a “Nazrul City” through feasibility studies to further preserve and promote the poet’s legacy nationally and internationally.
