Poet, essayist, and political commentator Farhad Mazhar said that youth have the right to form a new political party.
Mazhar made these remarks as the chief guest during a discussion meeting on Saturday.
He further said: "This mass uprising has come to a halt. To complete this uprising, it may be necessary for the youth to form a new political party. This is inevitable, whether we like it or not."
Mentioning the rights of the youth to form a new political party, Farhad Mazhar said that if the political parties can fulfill the desires of the people expressed through the youth, then the youth will not need a separate political party.
“However, if the parties fail to do so (meet the expectations), then the youth will definitely need a new political party.”
Addressing the youth, Farhad Mazhar said: "It is a mistake to be confused about whether to form a party or not. If you want to form a party, you should definitely do so. You must clearly explain to the public why you are forming a party."
Highlighting the core issues that have entered society in politics, Farhad Mazhar said that these cannot be pushed back forcibly. The main debates are about government elections and public space elections. If political parties want public space elections, their goal would be to create a new Bangladesh, discarding the old constitution. If the interim government fails to do this, then it is the responsibility of the political parties.
Farhad Mazhar also believes that elections are not a solution for the country.
Addressing the BNP, he said: "You want to come to power like the Awami League by making a few reforms here and there while keeping the fascist system. But the youth will not accept this."
Regarding the violent incidents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Farhad Mazhar believes that they could have been easily resolved. He said: "The rights of the various residents, the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, must be acknowledged. They are part of our state, not outsiders. Then, how they want the state of Bangladesh to be must be included. It is a political crisis. They must be brought into the political dialogue. There is no alternative."
Farhad Mazhar commented that it is very easy to isolate the Chittagong Hill Tracts, "India is indicating in various ways. There is foreign instigation involved. We are adding fuel to the fire."
Farhad Mazhar believes that if the interim government had initially talked with all classes and groups, incidents like the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the ansar rebellion, and the labor rebellion would not have occurred.
Regarding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's uncompromising stance of not participating in elections to legitimize a fascist state and power, Farhad Mazhar believes that the student-public uprising would not have been possible otherwise.
Addressing the youth, he said: "You should have congratulated her first."
Farhad Mazhar emphasized that it is necessary to distinguish between the state and the government. If not, the police will think they are not employees of the state, but of the government. As a result, if under the Awami League (government), they will follow its directions. The bureaucrats will think their job is not to serve the state, but to serve the Awami League. If the BNP comes to power, they will serve them.
