Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday called upon all concerned to make united efforts, shunning narrow mentality, to set a transparent and beautiful path to translate the nation's dream into reality.

"We were in a democratic war which has ended .... now let us set a transparent, true and beautiful path to translate our dream into reality shunning our narrow mentality," he told the golden jubilee function of Dinajpur Government College economics department at the college ground.

Economics department head Prof Jaheda Parveen chaired the function while Dinajpur Government College Principal Prof AKM Al Abdullah, former principal of Thakurgaon Government College Prof ANM Golam Rabbani, former principal of Dinajpur Government Women's College Prof Md. Abdul Jabbar and former principal of Jashore MM College Prof Taslim Uddin spoke on the occasion. 

Former faculties of Dinajpur Government College Prof Md. Idris Mia, Prof Dr. Abdur Razzak and student Md. Matiur Rahman Sabuj also spoke.

Mirza Fakhrul called upon all to work for the betterment of the country being imbued with patriotism. "Problems may arise, but we will have to go ahead overcoming all odds," he said.

He said Awami League has killed democracy, looted the country's resources and laundered $280 billion abroad in 15 years. 

"Awami League had enforced a reign of terror and enforced disappearances. In the past 15 years, the people of the country could not exercise their voting rights," he said.

The BNP secretary general said AL filed false cases against lakhs of BNP leaders and activists, arrested thousands of leaders and activists unnecessarily and sent them to jail. BNP men served years of jail due to political vendetta, he added.

"We have repeatedly stumbled as we dreamed about this country having immense potential. We have not been able to realize the dream. We have not yet been able to unite. In the past 52-53 years, we have not been able to build Bangladesh as a happy and prosperous country," he said.

He said university students are talking about their thoughts and consciousness in building a new Bangladesh. They can show the right path in the future with love for the country, he added.

"We all talk about democracy, but we do not practice democracy. It will not work if we think negatively. Democratic institutions have not been established in Bangladesh, rather democracy has been killed here day after day. Democratic institutions have not been allowed to be established. We, political parties, have engaged in conflicts with one another. Only if we can move forward by practicing democracy through tolerance, democracy can be established," he said.

He lamented that this nation and this country's people have gone through a very sad time. "We could not exercise voting rights. In the past 15 years, generations after generations do not know what voting is, they could not cast their votes," said Mirza Fakhrul. 

In the name of winning three consecutive elections, the Awami League regime seized power and created fear in the country and tortured and oppressed the people, he said. 

Earlier, the BNP secretary general along with other guests inaugurated the golden jubilee celebration ceremony by releasing balloons. 

Dinajpur Government College Vice-Principal Professor Md. Ayub Ali, District BNP President Advocate Md. Mofazzur Hossain Dulal, acting General Secretary Murad Ahmed and lawyer Abdus Sayeed were present at the event.

Mirza Fakrul served as a faculty at the Economics Department of Dinajpur Government College from 1972 to 1978. Along with teaching, he performed his duties with distinction in sports and cultural activities. Former teachers and students also attended the event.