Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 25 (ANI): Bangladeshi journalist Muktadir Rashid has expressed optimism about the possibility of holding free and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, saying the country must emerge as a democratic nation with fairly elected leadership, free from false propaganda and religious extremism.
Speaking to ANI as Bangladesh prepares for its first national election since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year during a student-led uprising, Rashid addressed concerns over ongoing violence and the feasibility of the February 12 polls announced by Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus.
“We have to build our country. We want this country to be democratic, with fairly elected leadership that upholds democracy, and that rules not through excessive force, not through false propaganda, and not by turning the country into a religious state. We do not want to see that,” Rashid said.
He emphasized the need for stable political leadership to restore order, warning against opportunistic elements seeking to destabilize the country and expose it to foreign influence. Rashid said such groups were attempting to create unrest, but political leadership remained the only solution.
“I would say it is 100 percent possible. There are only about 500 bad elements causing these problems. Many of them are within the system and are creating disturbances. They wanted to create noise, but they have no alternative other than supporting the election, because only political leadership can bring stability,” he said.
Rashid also said Bangladesh must safeguard its independence while maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring countries. He warned against efforts to turn the country into a proxy for foreign powers.
“I have been saying since the beginning of this government that power must be transferred to political leadership. As soon as that happens, it will be safer for the people. Some strange elements and opportunists want to make Bangladesh vulnerable and a stooge of foreign powers. We do not want that,” he said.
“We want to bring all our friends together. We do not want to make enemies of our neighbors or any foreign country. We want to make Bangladesh a peaceful country,” Rashid added, noting that stability and calm were essential for nation-building.
His remarks come amid ongoing political unrest following the killing of Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in the July Uprising and convenor of Inqilab Moncho, a mass cultural movement formed during last year’s protests.
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