Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Sunday said there would be no opportunity for the resurgence of authoritarianism in the country and everyone must remain vigilant so that no one can undermine people's rights.

"Remember, those who have fled are not sitting idle. They and their associates are still around. Those who thought they could return to power through conspiracies like in 2009 are also facing difficulties because people have crushed their conspiracies," he said.

Zahid Hossain, also BNP Standing Committee Member, made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Technical Engineers Bangladesh (JTEB) at the Diploma Engineers Institution in Kakrail, Dhaka, to commemorate the sacrifices of the July Uprising martyrs.

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin and BNP Joint Organising Secretary attended the programme as a special guest.

The minister said some quarters may try in different ways to create divisions within the unity and aspirations of people.

"Bangladesh Nationalist Party is a party of people and a party that reflects the hopes and aspirations of people. BNP was formed to protect the rights of all people irrespective of religion, caste and identity," he said.

He said BNP has a history, a present and, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the future Bangladesh would be a humane and inclusive country where good governance would prevail and there would be no scope for injustice, corruption or authoritarianism.

"If we can build such a Bangladesh where people can live with dignity then the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs and those who were forcibly disappeared including Sajjad, Selim Talukder and Engineer Atik, will not go in vain," he added.

Zahid Hossain said the January 7, 2024 election and subsequent movements eventually led to the mass uprising. "If you do not stand beside people and cannot earn their love and trust, the consequences are evident," he said.

The programme was chaired by JTEB Central Executive Committee President Engineer Md Fakhrul Alam and moderated by General Secretary Engineer ABM Ruhul Amin Akand.

Leaders and activists of the organisation along with family members of the July martyrs, were present at the event.