BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said on Sunday that everyone should speak up so that Bangladesh does not become a safe place for extremists and fundamentalists.

Speaking virtually from London at a discussion titled ‘Role of Poets and Writers in the Transition to Democracy and What to Do,’ organized by the Jatiya Kobita Parishad at the National Press Club he said, “The people of Bangladesh removed dictatorship a few days ago. We are committed to stopping the return of dictatorship.

Political and ideological views may not be the same for everyone, but that is not a problem.” He called on everyone to unite and move the country forward by building democracy.

Tarique said there is no alternative to elections to establish democracy, protect fundamental rights and ensure an accountable state.

He said, “If we want to prove that the people are the only owners of the country, we must be united for free and fair elections, for voting rights, for democracy and for freedom of speech.”

He stressed that creating an accountable state is absolutely necessary, and this is only possible by protecting people’s right to vote.

Tarique also recalled that during Shaheed Ziaur Rahman’s time, after the Liberation War, the song “Prothom Bangladesh Amar Shesh Bangladesh” was made the party anthem of BNP. He said this belief lives in every nationalist leader and activist and being a true Bangladeshi means believing in nationalism and showing respect for the country.

He added, “Let unity be echoed to protect the sovereignty of the country. Our ideological position is the same as that of poets and writers who have always stood for sovereignty, democracy and independence. Political philosophies may differ, but the main thing is strong faith in the sovereignty of the country.”

Tarique highlighted that poetry and music have always inspired political leadership. He said, “Since independence and especially in the 1990s and the past decade and a half, the influence of art has been strong against dictatorships. Its full impact was seen in the successful mass movement and uprising of 2024.”

About the contribution of artists and writers, Tarique Rahman said, “Poets and writers have expressed our emotions, feelings and national dreams. Rebel poets like Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore are an inseparable part of our identity. During the Liberation War, poetry and patriotic songs inspired the freedom fighters.”

“You poets and writers can express our many words very beautifully and you can take a place in the mental world that you have with your qualities. Only then can we remember that you are extraordinary and we are ordinary,” Tarique said.

The event, chaired by poet Mohan Raihan, President of the Poetry Council, and moderated by BNP executive committee member Abdus Sattar Patwari, was attended by BNP standing committee member Salah Uddin Ahmed, Vice Chairman poet Nurul Islam Moni, BNP media cell convener Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Acting Chairman’s Adviser Mahadi Amin, Amer Zom editor writer Abu Sayeed Khan, poet Matin Bairagi, General Secretary poet Rezaul Uddin Stalin, Vice President poet Anamika Haque Lilly, poet ABM Sohel Rashid, Joint General secretary poet Shyamal Zakaria, Organizing Secretary poet Nurunnabi Sohel, and poet Shahin Chowdhury.