Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday said the chapter of ousting fascism has ended and the country must now focus on rebuilding the state, strengthening democratic institutions and fostering a society rooted in humanity, tolerance and mutual respect.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion and photo exhibition titled "Bangladesh in the Face of Bullets, Fascism Came to an End" at the National Press Club, Swapon said the movement had achieved its objectives of restoring democracy and ensuring people's voting rights.
"The phase of toppling fascism is over. Now is the time to build the country," he said. "The movement was aimed at restoring democracy and securing the people's right to vote. We must now rebuild the state, strengthen democratic institutions and work together to fulfil the aspirations of the people."
The minister said the country's journey towards restoring democracy had been shaped by a prolonged popular movement. While crediting the people with the success of the movement, he said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman had provided leadership and strategic direction from abroad.
Swapon said Tarique Rahman never claimed personal credit for the mass uprising, instead consistently describing it as a victory of the people and working to keep pro-democracy forces united throughout the movement.
He said two slogans popularised by Tarique Rahman"If you are afraid, you are finished; if you stand up, you are Bangladesh" and "The country's future will be decided on the streets" injected fresh momentum into the movement, which culminated in the August 5 mass uprising.
The minister said that with the national election concluded, the country now needs politics centred on nation-building rather than confrontation. He stressed the need to strengthen democratic practices, ensure an effective parliamentary system and uphold responsible governance to meet public expectations.
He said that while political movements might become a profession for some, their struggle had always been aimed at restoring democracy, safeguarding voting rights and building an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. With those goals achieved, he added, the focus should now shift to development and state-building.
Highlighting the importance of preserving the history of the anti-fascist movement, Swapon said photographs taken by photojournalists would remain enduring records of the struggle for democracy for future generations.
