Government, Gained Through Martyrs’ Blood, Now Walks a Contrary Path: BASAD Secretary Firoz

Bazlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Socialist Party (BASAD), has stated that the interim government, which came to power through the blood of martyrs, is now heading in the opposite direction.

He made these remarks on Tuesday (5 August) at a mass rally organised by BASAD in front of the National Press Club to mark the anniversary of the July people’s uprising.

Discrepancies Over Number of Martyrs

Bazlur Rashid criticised the government over conflicting figures relating to the number of martyrs during the uprising.

“There is confusion about the number of martyrs. The government gazette states 840; later revised to 836, while the July Memory Foundation claims 820. The UN Human Rights Commission’s fact-finding mission says 1,400 martyrs. We ask the government, why such disparity?”

Economic Concerns and Unemployment

Referring to Dr Yunus’s ‘Three Zeros Theory’, one of which aims to eradicate unemployment, Firoz remarked on the continued industrial decline.

“The fascist government closed 26 jute mills and six sugar mills, which have yet to reopen. Moreover, 117 factories in industrial areas like Ashulia and Gazipur have closed, leaving over a million workers unemployed.”

Constitutional Secularism Under Threat

Bazlur Rashid expressed concern over proposals to remove secularism and socialism from the constitution.

“How can an egalitarian state be established if secularism is removed? Without secularism as a core principle, how can everyone safely practice their religion?”

Preserving the Legacy of the Liberation War

He emphasised that no historic event has surpassed the significance of the Liberation War.

“There are ongoing attempts to distort history by vandalising Liberation War monuments, demolishing Block 32, and discarding the constitution. While the 1990 mass uprising and the 2024 uprising are significant, the Liberation War’s honour remains unmatched.”

Lack of Government Implementation of Reform Recommendations

Firoz criticised the government for failing to implement recommendations from 11 reform commissions.

“Though 30 political parties agreed on 62 recommendations in the Unity Commission, none have been implemented. We have no objection to adding equality, human dignity, and social justice alongside the constitution’s four principles — democracy, socialism, secularism, nationalism — but excluding these principles is unacceptable. Politics should accommodate diverse views and ideals; the people’s mandate must determine who holds power.”

Additional Speakers and Participants

The rally also featured speeches from BASAD Central Committee’s Assistant General Secretary Rajekuzzaman Ratan, member Zulfiqar Ali, and leaders from the Workers’ Front and Students’ Front.

Summary Table: Key Points from BASAD’s Rally