Amir Khasru calls for empowering citizens to prevent return of fascism rule

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that strengthening the power of citizens by reducing excessive state control is essential to preventing the re-emergence of authoritarianism in Bangladesh.

Speaking on Friday afternoon as the chief guest at the founding anniversary programme of the Chattogram Dharma Ujjal Parishad, held at the National Maritime Academy in Chattogram. Khasru warned that the concentration of power in the hands of the state often leads to fascism and creates uncertainty for ordinary people.

He said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes in empowering citizens in line with constitutional rights and has outlined plans to introduce necessary reforms in the future to ensure greater public participation in governance.

“In the past, people were held hostage, and frustration spread across society because state power outweighed the power of the people,” Khasru said. “This imbalance created an alarming situation. It is now time to reduce state dominance and strengthen the authority of citizens.”

He also stressed the importance of maintaining interfaith harmony and social unity, saying that BNP envisions a society where people of all religions and communities can work freely, participate in national affairs and assume leadership roles according to their abilities.

Khasru highlighted the need for greater participation of women in social, economic and state affairs, describing it as a key requirement for sustainable development and meaningful societal change.

“All citizens are equal,” he said. “There should be no sense of inferiority based on religion, caste or creed. The rights of every citizen must be protected equally.”

The event was also addressed by Captain Ataur Rahman and Israfil Khasru, a member of BNP’s International Affairs Sub-Committee, as special guests.

Among others who spoke at the programme were BNP leader and former Chattogram City Corporation councillor Sarfaraj Kader Russel, Roknuddin Mahmud, Buddhist Welfare Trust trustee Rubel Barua, Pritom Barua Dhalim, Bipul Chakma, Alo Chakma, Shukarjit Chakma, Jibon Chakma, Robi Chakma, Biddaashay Chakma and Mamuni Chakma.