BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has admitted that the current times are difficult, marked by uncertainty and widespread discontent. “This is not a good time. Many people are speaking out. Many are disheartened. But I am always an optimist,” he remarked at a public event in Dhaka. “I may be old, but I still believe better days are coming. Even better times lie ahead.”
He was speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the debate competition titled ‘Civil Discourse Nationals 2025’, organized by The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) at the Abdul Karim Sahityabisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy on Tuesday evening.
In a candid reflection on generational divides, Mirza Fakhrul said, “There’s a significant generation gap. It takes me time to understand them, and perhaps it takes them time to understand us. That disconnect is contributing to some of the political complications we see today. If we could at least come together at one point, we might be able to solve many of our problems.”
He emphasized the need for greater engagement between the older political generation and today’s youth. “We barely know Gen Z. We need to build that connection. The way people in Dhaka think is not the same as those in Thakurgaon. This gap must be bridged. Otherwise, the generation, the force, the army we envision to transform Bangladesh—we won’t be able to reach that goal.”
Expressing confidence in the potential of the youth, he said, “Our youth are far more capable than we were. They will take on stronger roles in shaping the future of this country. Yes, debates exist, disagreements exist—but we believe in liberal democracy. We believe everyone should have the freedom to speak, and that is the foundation of true democracy.”
Mirza Fakhrul also criticized the excessive formality in political discourse. “I have a small objection. Can we stop saying ‘Honourable Prime Minister’ and ‘Honourable Speaker’? I feel like it is from this very word—‘honourable’—that all autocracy is born.”
He further pointed out how power distorts political mindsets in Bangladesh. “The moment someone becomes a minister here, their entire mental world shifts. Salutes, sirens, a car in front, a car behind—that mindset slowly drifts towards dictatorship.”
The event was moderated by TBD director Saif Rubab and featured speeches from Professor A.K.M. Elias, Principal of Dhaka College; Professor Mohammad Nazmuzzaman Bhuiyan of Dhaka University; Supreme Court lawyer Rashna Imam; Nazim Farhan Choudhury, MD of Adcomm Ltd.; BNP international affairs committee member Israfil Khasru; Shahadat Hossain, President of Dhaka College Debating Society (DCDS); Professor Akhtaruzzaman, chief moderator of DCDS; and Rubayet Mannan Rafi, Managing Director of TBD, among others.
