Although it was not an official monarchy in Bangladesh, but the leadership in major 3 parties circles within and around the family members of these parties. The successors of the two main political parties of the country have stumbled as a consequence of the uprising of the students and the political changes in the country. However, they joined the people of the country virtually on the same day on Wednesday. In one side, there was Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of defunct Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, on the other hand, it was Tarek Rahman, son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Both of them are now on exile and away of their mothers.
However, on Wednesday in the afternoon, Tarek Zia delivered a virtual video speech from United Kingdom in a crowded gathering at Nayapaltan in Dhaka. In his speech, he said, ‘Bangladesh was imprisoned for the last 15 years. Today the door of democracy is open. Today. Our Bangladesh is free. If everyone is united, no evil force can suppress Bangladesh. The message of the two liberation wars in 1971 and 2024 is the same — that freedom never comes with conditions. Freedom-loving people do not accept any conditions to protect freedom. The people of Bangladesh saw another victory on August 5 in return for the blood and lives of thousands of martyrs. Today the door of democracy is open. Congratulations to the brave students. It has been proved that the Bangladesh made through the liberation war never accepts defeat. We have to remember that every person living in the territory of Bangladesh has an identity, that is we are Bangladeshis. Please don’t take the law into your own hands, don’t indulge in revenge. Do not take the burden of judgment into your own hands. Instead of past criticism or anarchy, establish peace. Anarchy cannot be a solution but we have to move forward in harmony with the world. For the purpose of building a knowledge-based state, merit should be the highest priority in recruitment and promotion. We have to bring the country out of foreign dependence.
After that, in a video message to the activists, Sajeeb Wazed Joy said that if democracy in Bangladesh prevails, a new Bangladesh is to be built, it is not possible without Awami League. Awami League is the biggest party. Awami League will not go anywhere, Awami League will not end. Awami League cannot be finished. I call upon all workers to stand with courage. You are not alone, we are here. Bangabandhu’s family did not go anywhere. We are with you. We are ready to discuss with everyone.
In a video message recorded from her hospital bed in the same public meeting seven years later, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia said, “No destruction, no revenge; Let’s build a peaceful Bangladesh. We have to build a prosperous Bangladesh from the ruins of democracy and corruption. Young students are our future. To realize the dream that the youth has poured their heart blood into, everyone should build a Bangladesh based on talent and knowledge.”
