In an exclusive interview with The Mirror Asia, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir talks about the burning political issues of our time

TMA: You've been in politics for over 50 years. How would you sum up this long period?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Up until 1969-71, politics had a series of events. Bangladesh became independent, and the question of freedom and political ideology were there. Everyone followed ideology. Back then, we had the Communist Party and its supporters, and on the other side, there were the Awami League and Chhatra League. These parties had a strong ideological aspect. But after '71, the Awami League drifted away from its ideological position. They’ve moved away from basic democratic principles and are pushing a "one party, one country" agenda. They've turned multi-party democracy into a one-party system. Mujib’s ‘Bakshal’ was the turning point that destroyed Bangladesh's democratic system. They could have fostered a democratic culture but ended up destroying it instead.

Now, they're turning the country into a one-party state just to keep their leader in power. It's beyond our imagination. The war, the struggle, the sacrifices, and achievements of Bangladesh have all been reduced to dust. Later, Ziaur Rahman tried to develop a multi-party democracy when he came to power. He opened the door for a free-market economy and rebuilt the country.

Then Ershad came after Ziaur Rahman, and things started to change again. Since then, there's been a lack of morality at every level of the state. Bangladesh saw autocratic rule, and there was a movement against Ershad in the '90s. Then came another chance to introduce a democratic system in Bangladesh. Hundreds of people sacrificed their lives in the movement, but we failed to honor their sacrifice. The Awami League tried to stay off in the middle of the movement, but we got another chance to strengthen democracy during the caretaker government system. Elections were fair, state organs functioned properly, and the justice system was fair. The media operated independently.

The biggest misfortune of the nation is that since 2009, Bangladesh has been moving towards a one-party system again. The caretaker government was formed with the consensus of all parties, including the Awami League. Now they've scrapped that system and led us into dictatorship. Democracy relies on state institutions, but our electoral system is destroyed, and the judiciary and administration are politicised. The media isn't independent anymore; it's being controlled. The whole state structure is now geared towards a one-party system for the government's benefit.

On top of that, the economy is in dire straits. Corruption, anarchy, and misrule are everywhere. There's no good governance in the economy. High-ranking government officials are corrupt, laundering billions. Bangladesh is going through a terrible situation, and the Awami League has destroyed the spirit with which Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. I think it was done in a planned way.

TMA: Some politicians have alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched against Bangladesh. Who are these conspirators?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: In the third world, nationalist leaderships have emerged. Those who believe in nationalism want to build their own country with their own identity, but hegemonic or imperialist powers stand against it. They exploit unstable situations for their benefit. In Bangladesh, foreign forces are trying hard to control us for their interests. This is my personal opinion.

I don't see Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's assassination as an isolated incident; it's part of a conspiracy. Even the killing of Ziaur Rahman was terrible. When Bangladesh was rising, he was killed, leading to a collapse of the nationalist leadership. When democracy in Bangladesh tried to flourish, it was stopped. Everyone knows who did it. Khaleda Zia wasn't allowed to get treatment abroad, she's been kept behind bars, and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman can't come to the country—all following the direction of the same quarters. Think about whose interests were served on 1/11. Some foreign forces came together and ran a military-backed government for two years, destroying Bangladesh's democratic system. Whenever there's a semblance of stability in Bangladesh, it's destroyed.

TMA: Bangladesh's economy has been destroyed. Does BNP, as a party widely supported by the people, have the responsibility to save the country?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I completely disagree with the idea that BNP is responsible. BNP's responsibility only comes into play when it's part of the state structure. BNP is a liberal democratic party, not a separatist or revolutionary party. We need to understand the BNP's character. The BNP believes in peaceful protests and doesn't engage in violence.

In 2014, when we were demonstrating for the caretaker system, the government used the entire state machinery, deployed the armed forces, and suppressed the people’s movement. You mentioned responsibility—BNP will be responsible if it makes a mistake. We're not misleading people. Success won't happen overnight; it will take time. People are involved in their interests. They want their voting rights back and want to see a stable economy. They're joining the movement for these reasons. The current fascist government is trying to suppress the people using unethical administrative tactics.

It took years to stand against the British, with many movements along the way. In the 90s, people took to the streets and succeeded. We're not there yet. We failed on October 28, 2023. But we were prepared but couldn't succeed due to the government's repressive tactics.

TMA: BNP is seen as 'friendless' internationally. What's your take on this?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: In today's world, relationships between states depend on various factors. A country's movement will depend on its people. The organisational power and connections with other political parties are important too.

We have and still have support from the Western world (US and UK). They voiced concerns about the lack of democracy, fragile judicial system, extrajudicial killings, human rights violations, and lack of rule of law. But they won't intervene directly; we have to show our strength. We have some deficiencies in this regard, but we're determined to overcome them and move forward. 

TMA: Will the recent reshuffle in the BNP cause any problem in the movement?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Reshuffling the party is normal. It usually happens every two or three years. I don't think it will affect the movement.

TMA: What message do you have for the masses?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I don't see it that way. Our leader, Chairperson Khaleda Zia, is seriously ill and has been unjustly detained, kept away from the people. We believe she’s the front leader of the democratic movement in Bangladesh. Her contribution has been immense since 1981, the day she entered politics. Conspiracies have been hatched to unfairly put her in jail.
We've launched our democratic movement to free Khaleda Zia. A greater movement can start from this, but it can't be done in a day. It will take time. People all over the country feel deeply for her and Tarique Rahman.
If anyone has sacrificed the most for democracy in the world today, it's Khaleda Zia. Day in and day out, in the anti-dictatorship movement, she has sacrificed. She was elected and ran the state, strengthened the parliament, gave more freedom to the media, and tried to keep the democratic system in the country. When the Awami League government took over, she stood against it. Today, we can see that Suu Kyi is being tortured by the junta in Burma, and here Khaleda Zia is imprisoned under the oppression of the Awami League. There is no point in accusing her of embezzlement. No bank money was taken by her. Still she’s suffering. 

TMA: What's your opinion about the train corridor agreement with India?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: A 10-point agreement with India isn't new. Agreements on Akhaura port, transit, and shipment have been discussed before. They all have connections. India is doing everything for its own benefit. Our complaint isn’t against India; it will do everything according to its interests. The question is, what is our government doing? They are ignoring the minimum demand for resolving the unsettled Teesta water sharing, a key issue for Bangladesh.
The prime minister (Sheikh Hasina) herself has said that the Teesta issue will be resolved only if India is given everything. No need for water distribution. With such a government, our sovereignty and freedom are at risk. Bullets are coming from Burma. You can't go from Teknaf to Saint Martin's. Our ministers say, we will do many things if they do something! They have already done that... what's left? Shooting is happening, people are being killed on the border every day, and the government doesn’t say a word. What are we to understand?

TMA: What's your message for the people?

Mirza Fakhrul Islam: My message is that the movement we’ve launched to restore democracy and the rights of the people is their movement. So, for the sake of the people and for protecting the independence and sovereignty of the country, everyone should join the movement. This government is desperate to cling to power. The compromise agreement with India isn't new. Now, this fascist government is busy trying to remain in power at any cost.