Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is raising hopes for social change in post-July Bangladesh by promoting behavioral change and efforts to build a non-communal society.
He made the remarks while addressing a publication unveiling ceremony, photography exhibition, and discussion at the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) Auditorium, organized to mark July Martyrs' Day 2026.
Fakhrul, who also serves as secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said the prime minister has urged people to dispose of waste in dustbins and instructed city corporations to maintain cleaner cities.
He said the prime minister is inspiring young people and trying to change social behavior to build a new Bangladesh.
The minister said it would be difficult to move the country forward without changing public attitudes. He also said there has been no visible progress in implementing the aspirations of the July Uprising over the past 5 months.
He said: "Only the prime minister is holding the change to build the country and society. Many who used to take bribes, commit corruption, and exploit opportunities are changing their stance from fascists to take advantage of the July changes. All this is sad."
He added that the prime minister is working to change those practices.
Referring to Bangladesh's political history, Fakhrul said people have repeatedly sacrificed their lives since 1947 in pursuit of social change but the goal of establishing an inequality-free society has remained unfulfilled.
He said many people sacrificed their lives between 1952 and 2024 in efforts to transform society.
He said: "Pakistan was divided, and Bangladesh was led by leaders like Maulana Bhashani and AK Fazlul Haque, but the society did not change. After 1971, the fascist ruler was ousted in 2024 at the cost of countless lives."
The minister also stressed the need to change consumerist behavior to uphold the spirit of July.
He said: "The chair of power is very strange. Sitting in the chair of power creates a different feeling. The chemistry changes after coming to power. The youth of 2024 have demanded a change in the character of the chair of power."
Fakhrul said he had often questioned where the youth who would change the country were, adding that young people came forward during the 2024 movement and helped oust what he described as a fascist regime.
He said: "If we go back to that previous society, the sacrifice of hundreds of lives will go in vain. We should value those who sacrificed their lives."
The BNP leader also referred to former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, describing her as the country's first female freedom fighter.
He said that after Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared independence, Khaleda Zia told soldiers: "All the orders of your commander are final. The call for independence must be followed."
Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia was imprisoned and continued to struggle for the people throughout her life. He added that after Sheikh Hasina left the country, Khaleda Zia, despite serious illness, called in a video message for building a Bangladesh free from revenge.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon chaired the event. Among those present were State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Choudhury, Public Service Commission (PSC) member Dr Chowdhury Saima Ferdous, senior officials of the ministry and its affiliated organizations, media personnel, and invited guests.
The guests also unveiled a July Martyrs' Day publication and visited a photography exhibition at the venue.