People of Bangladesh never supported autocracy: JS Speaker

A delegation led by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Anda Filip meets with Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Photo: CollectedJatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on Monday said the people of Bangladesh have never supported autocracy and have repeatedly sacrificed their lives for democracy and their rights.He made the remarks when a delegation led by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General Anda Filip met him at his office here. The Speaker said the people of Bangladesh are democracy-loving and did not hesitate to make supreme sacrifices during the 1971 Liberation War to restore democracy and establish their rights. "Although we achieved victory in the Liberation War, democracy was not established," he said, adding that independent Bangladesh emerged after a nine-month-long bloody war, but democracy remained elusive. He said democracy was later introduced in Bangladesh through the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence and one of the most popular presidents in the country's history. The Speaker said the national elections held in 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2024 were "farcical" and undermined the people's democratic rights. He said the 2024 mass uprising led by students and the people brought an end to autocratic rule in the country, said a press release of parliament secretariat. "The latest national parliamentary election was one of the freest, most competitive and fairest elections in the history of Bangladesh," he said. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is discharging its responsibilities as a reflection of the democratic hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.