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DHAKA, Oct 9, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said today that the soul of Shaheed Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad will continue to suffer unless his dream of restoring democracy in Bangladesh is fully realized.
In a statement marking the 35th anniversary of Jihad's martyrdom, Tarique paid tribute to the late student leader, who was shot dead during an anti-Ershad protest in Dhaka on October 10, 1990.
"Jihad sacrificed his life with the firm resolve to re-establish democracy and lay its foundation on solid ground," Tarique said, adding, "His soul will remain in agony if we fail to realize that vision."
Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, an activist of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal from Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, was among the prominent student leaders during the anti-autocracy movement that intensified in the early 1990s.
His death became a pivotal moment in the nationwide agitation against the then military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
"On the occasion of Shaheed Jihad Day, I offer my deepest respects to this fearless soldier of the anti-autocracy movement," the BNP leader said. "I pray for the eternal peace of his soul."
Tarique Rahman described Shaheed Jihad as an "unforgettable name in the struggle for democracy," recalling how his death galvanized a mass uprising that ultimately led to the fall of the Ershad regime.
"That bloody movement aimed to restore multiparty democracy, freedom of expression, and press freedom," he said.
"While leading the movement, Shaheed Jihad took a police bullet to his chest and embraced martyrdom. The wave of protest that followed his death marked a turning point in our democratic journey," he added.
Criticizing the former autocratic regime, Tarique said, "The dictator Ershad destroyed democracy. To ensure the democratic process remains alive, fair elections must be held. But democracy is not limited to voting -- it includes the protection of people's rights and freedoms."
He urged party activists and citizens to stay united against "domestic and foreign conspiracies," drawing inspiration from Jihad's ultimate sacrifice.
"Guided by the selflessness of Shaheed Jihad, we must defend our independence, uphold our sovereignty, and work tirelessly to restore genuine democracy in the country," he added.
