Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today said the process of establishing fascism and destroying democracy in Bangladesh began after Sheikh Hasina came to power through the 2008 election.
“The moment Sheikh Hasina came to power after the 2008 election, she indicated that she was moving towards establishing fascism in Bangladesh. The process of destroying democracy began from then. After 16 years of anarchy, democracy has returned to the country through the mass uprising,” he said.
The law minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and cultural programme organised by the Dhaka Bar Association at its auditorium today marking Janmashtami 2026.
“In 2010, Begum Khaleda Zia, then BNP chairperson, had given the slogan ‘Save the country, save the people’ at a conference. At that time the naked form of fascism, its brutal frenzy and cruelty had not yet been so openly manifested.
We could not then realise that in this long democratic struggle, we would have to lose more than 4,500 fellow fighters, who were shot dead like birds in the name of crossfire,” he said.
The law minister further said that 1,400 people were shot dead on the streets within just 20 days during the July Mass Uprising, while 30,000 people were left disabled during the same period.
“Even after all this, look at how shamelessly and brazenly they behave. Far from expressing the slightest remorse or regret, their attitude seems to be that killing people is not a crime,” he said.
Md Asaduzzaman further said that a successful mass uprising was achieved with the participation of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and all political parties, representing the oppressed and persecuted people of Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh has returned to the democratic path,” he said.
The law minister further said, “That’s why we want to make it clear that this Bangladesh belongs to all Bangladeshis. This Bangladesh belongs to Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists; it belongs to the Chakma, Marma and all other communities. It is a Bangladesh for everyone.
“We want to preserve communal harmony. We do not want to engage in politics centred on communalism, nor do we want to turn it into a means of business. Religion is a matter of my faith, my reverence, and my worldly and spiritual life. We do not want to bring religion into the political arena and cause bloodshed among people in its name.”
Chaired by Dhaka Bar Association President Anwar Zahid Bhuiyan, the discussion was attended by Dhaka Senior District and Sessions Judge Rafiqul Islam, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Shahjahan Kabir, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman and Acting Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman as special guests.