Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (with the rank of Adviser), on Wednesday said the upcoming referendum is aimed at ensuring that Bangladesh never returns to a fascist system.

He made the remarks while addressing a meeting held on Zoom as the chief guest to provide guidance on the referendum to around 17,000 officers and field-level staff of the Agriculture Department.

The meeting was chaired by Agriculture Secretary Dr Md Emdad Ullah Mian, while Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider was present as a special guest. Officials and field workers of the Ministry of Agriculture and its affiliated departments and agencies joined the programme virtually.

Prof Riaz said the opportunity of a referendum would not come again in the next five or even ten years. “This is a chance to determine how Bangladesh will move forward in the future, and everyone must work together to make the best use of it,” he said.

He noted that among the ministries with manpower reaching up to the upazila, union and village levels, the Ministry of Agriculture is one of the most prominent. “Your close contact with people gives you a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the referendum at the grassroots,” he added.

As the chief coordinator of the referendum-related public awareness campaign, Prof Riaz recalled that thousands of people had sacrificed their lives during the 2024 mass uprising and the struggles of the past 16 years. “They entrusted us with the responsibility of ensuring that we never return to the old system,” he said.

Addressing agriculture officials, he urged them to present the referendum to people in simple language. He suggested explaining it as a ‘yes or no’ vote and taking time to clearly communicate the changes the referendum would bring.

Special Assistant Monir Haider said the nation aspires to build a healthy, beautiful and democratic Bangladesh for future generations. He noted that even after 54 years, little progress has been made in fulfilling this basic aspiration.

Referring to the last 16 years of governance and the July uprising, he said it has become clear that major reforms are needed in the existing system of governance and constitutional framework.

He called on people from all walks of life to participate spontaneously in the referendum to ensure that fascism never returns. He also briefed officials in detail on the key points of the awareness leaflets prepared for public outreach on the referendum.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Dr Emdad Ullah Mian said the ministry and its subordinate bodies will undertake extensive awareness activities, including installing drop-down banners, preparing and distributing leaflets, using mobile vans of the Department of Agricultural Information and regional radio centres, organising meetings in project areas, and utilising the Agriculture Department’s 24/7 hotline service to disseminate information on the referendum.