Marking the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said that the “fascist rulers were forced to flee the country” through the “glorious self-sacrifice” of students and people on August 5, paving the way for the restoration of democracy.

He stressed that ensuring fundamental human rights alongside holding free and fair elections is essential for the practice of true democracy.

In a message signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday, Tarique Rahman extended warm greetings to the nation, wishing peace, happiness, and prosperity for all.

Recalling the 1975 uprising, he said November 7 was not merely a turning point in the country’s history but marked the rise of anti-imperialist nationalist politics in Bangladesh.

Through the soldiers-people’s revolution, the country’s sovereignty was safeguarded,” he added.

Tarique Rahman said that on that day, inspired by patriotism, soldiers and people took to the streets to protect national independence and revive democracy. “The historic November 7 revolution is therefore deeply significant,” he remarked.

He accused the post-independence ruling clique of pushing the country under foreign dominance to protect its own interests and establishing a one-party BAKSAL system to “kill democracy.”

The BAKSAL regime, adopting fascist methods, snatched away people’s legitimate rights,” he said, adding that on November 3, 1975, conspirators detained the proclaimer of independence, Ziaur Rahman, along with his family in Dhaka Cantonment.

In that grave national crisis, the fearless soldiers and people united on November 7 to protect national independence, leading to the liberation of Ziaur Rahman,” Tarique said.

He added that under President Zia’s leadership, a new spirit swept the nation, democracy was revived, and freedom of speech and expression was reestablished, bringing relief to the people.

However, Tarique said anti-national forces viewed Zia as a threat to their agenda and “brutally assassinated him” at Chattogram Circuit House in 1981.

Though Zia embraced martyrdom, his ideals continue to inspire people to defend the country’s independence and democracy,” he added.

The BNP leader alleged that the “Awami fascists” have been destroying democracy and holding onto state power for nearly 16 years through conspiracies. Their “subservient foreign policy,” he said, has weakened national sovereignty while corruption, misrule, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and repression of pro-democracy activists have created a reign of fear.

He also said that BNP Chairperson and “symbol of democracy” Khaleda Zia has been unjustly imprisoned for years, calling for justice and good governance in society.

Tarique Rahman further accused the Awami government of allowing aggression against the nation’s culture, heritage, and language.

In the spirit of November 7, all nationalist forces must unite to build a strong democracy. Safeguarding national independence and sovereignty is now of utmost importance,” he said.