CA calls for unity, protection of youth, peaceful polls to build new Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today emphasised protection of the youth and ensuring a peaceful and festive election with a collective efforts to build a new Bangladesh, resisting all the ill-efforts of defeated fascist and terrorist forces.

“Protect our youth. Then all of us and our beloved motherland will be protected,” he said in an address to the nation on the occasion of the Victory Day 2025. 

The Chief Adviser made the remarks referring to the recent heinous attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha. 

At the outset of his address, he extended his heartfelt greeting to the people of all ages and walks of life at home and abroad on the occasion of the Victory Day. 

Recalling that on this historic day in 1971, Bangladesh achieved its long-cherished independence through sacrifice of millions of martyrs following a nine months of a bloody Liberation War, Prof Yunus paid rich tributes to the memories of the 1971 Liberation War martyrs.

He said that although the victory of 1971 ushered in a new dawn of independence, in recent years that light was dimmed by autocracy and fascism. 

However, through the July Uprising with the participation of students and mass people, the nation has once again received an opportunity to establish “a discrimination-free, corruption-free, independent, sovereign and democratic state system”, the Chief Adviser said.

But, he said, the forces which fled the country in face of the uprising consider the fearless and unarmed young people as the biggest obstacle to their return and therefore, their target is to eliminate them before the election to re-establish their reign.

“(They know that) once the elections are over, their cohorts will face a trouble to garner support. That‍‍`s why there is such a rush. They want to ensure their return before the polls. They will do it in various ways. This clandestine killing attempt is one form of that. They are prepared with more difficult plans,” Prof Yunus said.

“Everyone in the country must say loudly, ‘we will protect the youth’ . . . together, we will establish our full control over the country by holding festive and peaceful elections,” he added.

Urging the countrymen to remain vigilant against the fascist forces and keep each day festive until the voting day, Prof Yuunus said, “Since our teenagers and young people have no fear in their minds, they will make every moment of the two months before the elections festive. They will keep the country safe from all kinds of violence and conflict”.

About the heinous attack on Hadi, he said, “Today, I have come before you with a very heavy heart. On this joyous day, I inform you with deep sorrow that the recent attack on Sharif Osman Hadi is not just an attack on an individual - it is an attack on the existence of Bangladesh an attack on our democratic path”.

The Chief Adviser noted that Hadi remains in critical condition, saying the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure his treatment and security.

“He (Hadi) has already been sent to Singapore for advanced treatment,” he said, urging the countrymen to pray sincerely for his recovery.

Noting that the government is treating the incident with utmost seriousness, Prof Yunus said those involved in the attack have been preliminarily identified. 

“I want to assure the countrymen that no one involved in this conspiracy will be spared, wherever they may be,” he said.

“I want to clearly say that this ill attempt by the defeated fascist and terrorist forces will be completely thwarted. No one can stop the democratic progress of this country by intimidation, terrorism or shedding blood,” the Chief Adviser categorically said.

Urge the countrymen to maintain restraint and not to pay attention to propaganda or rumors, he said, “We must confront the fascist terrorists, who want to create unrest, in unison. We should not fall into their trap”. 

“The defeated fascist forces will never return to the sacred soil of this country,” Prof Yunus said.

About illness of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the Chief Adviser said she is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital, which is a matter of concern for “all of us”.

Highlighting that the interim government has given the highest importance to the treatment of Begum Khaleda Zia, he said the government is ensuring all necessary cooperation for her treatment, respecting the wishes of her family, including arrangements for advanced treatment abroad if needed.

Reflecting the interim government activities since its beginning, Prof Yunus reiterated that the interim government has prioritised three key issues- justice for the July–August killings, fundamental state reforms for a democratic transition, and a free and fair election.

Noting that the trial of the July massacres is proceeding in due legal process, he said the International Crimes Tribunal has already delivered verdict in one case.

Through an independent, transparent and evidence-based trial process, the Chief Adviser said, the tribunal has sentenced ousted fascist Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death as the main architect of indiscriminate killings of students, workers and ordinary citizens of the country.

As part of the legal process, he said, the government has formally requested India to repatriate Sheikh Hasina and another convicted former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, both of whom are fugitives.

Noting that several institutional and structural reforms have already been completed, Prof Yunus said his government has amended dozens of old laws and formulated new ones.

The most significant reform, he said, is the July National Charter, which has been issued as an order to ensure fundamental constitutional reforms.

Noting that now it is time to seek the citizens’ approval to implement the July National Charter, the Chief Adviser urged the countrymen to give their decision through the referendum slated for February 12 next year on the same day of the parliamentary polls.

“Your decision in the upcoming elections is of very important. The roadmap for the democratic future will begin from here . . . through this referendum, you should vote for or against the reforms by casting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote,” he said.

Calling the upcoming national polls and referendum a historic moment, Prof Yunus said, “The kind of state we expect will depend on the results of the referendum. This vote will determine the character, structure, and direction of progress of the new Bangladesh”.

He stressed that voting should not be seen as a mere formality, but as “active participation in building a new state”.

The Chief Adviser stressed that the elections should be truly festive, participatory, peaceful and above all fair. 

“We are considering every step centering the election with great importance, including security, administrative preparation, technical assistance and observation. We are committed to taking all necessary measures to organise a credible election,” he said.

Emphasising that the role of political leadership in preserving the acceptability and sanctity of this election is immense, Prof Yunus urged all political leaders to see each other as competitors, never as enemies.

“Create such a fair, acceptable and peaceful environment for the election, so that the people of the country become more confident in the democratic process,” he said, warning that those who will loot ballot boxes are “destroyers of people’s freedom and enemies of citizens”.

“Protecting the vote is equal to protecting the country,” the Chief Adviser said, urging citizens to cast their votes carefully. 

“If anyone creates obstacles, resist them in an orderly manner and seek the assistance of law enforcement agencies,” Prof Yunus said.