News Flash
DHAKA, April 27, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Whip Nurul Islam today called upon all to remain united in the movement to protect democracy in the greater interest of the country.
Addressing a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad today, he said the responsibility of nurturing democracy lies not only with political leaders but also with the media.
“The tree of democracy that we have planted needs to be nurtured, and that responsibility is also yours. The pens and thoughts of five thousand journalists can help sustain a nation,” he added.
Whips M Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, G K Gaus and Akhtaruzzaman Mia, among others, also spoke at the event.
Highlighting the importance of democracy in ensuring basic human needs, the Chief Whip said food is the primary necessity of life, and a democratic environment is essential to ensure economic stability and self-reliance.
“In the absence of democracy, neither a rickshaw puller nor a large businessman can feel secure about their lives and livelihoods,” he added.
Referring to the implementation of the “July Charter,” he said constitutional amendments are inevitable to carry out state reforms and reflect the people’s mandate. “Those elected by the people are committed to implementing every line, semicolon, and punctuation of the July Charter in its entirety,” he said.
The Chief Whip said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman envisions ensuring food security for every citizen and creating employment opportunities for all professions, including blacksmiths, potters, weavers, and goldsmiths.
Recalling the past political periods, he alleged that during a particular regime after independence, people were subjected to severe repression, the judiciary lacked independence, and press freedom was curtailed with only four newspapers allowed to operate.
He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman restored multi-party democracy and achieved food self-sufficiency within three years, while Begum Khaleda Zia later worked to stabilise the economy and democracy.
However, Nurul Islam alleged that in the past one and a half decades, both democracy and the economy had been severely damaged, with around Tk 27 lakh crore siphoned abroad, leaving the economy in a fragile state.
On constitutional issues, he noted that the current parliament operates under the existing constitution, including its provisions and articles, and that even the interim government and Election Commission took oath under it. “Yet, to reflect the aspirations of the people, constitutional amendment has no alternative,” he said.
He added that Tarique Rahman remains committed to implementing the July Charter fully. Noting that 220 new members have joined parliament, he said it would take a few sessions for them to fully grasp parliamentary procedures, though many capable and educated members also sit on the opposition bench.
The Chief Whip expressed optimism that through constructive participation, parliamentary committees, and commissions, state reforms would be advanced in line with the July Charter.
Highlighting the government’s recent activities, he said within just two months and 12 days, the government has initiated changes across sectors, including the recruitment of 10,000 teachers and introduction of agriculture and family cards.
He also said working on 133 ordinances within just five days was a significant achievement, adding that the head of government is working tirelessly from morning till midnight to establish a functional state structure.
