Mass Uprising Was Fruit of 17-Year Struggle: Home Minister

The mass uprising was not "Newton's apple," but rather the culmination of a 17-year continuous movement, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad stated on Saturday (August 8).

"The mass uprising was not Newton's apple. We had to nurture it to ripeness; it never fell automatically. As the fruit of a 17-year continuous struggle, we had to harvest this uprising," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organized by Dhaka University's 'Sada Dal' (White Panel) to mark the second anniversary and aspirations of the July Mass Uprising.

Addressing new political entrants, the Home Minister advised them to refrain from using old political tactics while preaching new arrangements. "If someone acts like a university professor while still in primary school in terms of political experience, that is inappropriate. One must learn the political field is tough, rugged, and full of obstacles," he noted.

He further stated that considering the 36-day movement in isolation without acknowledging the 17-year-long struggle reflects political immaturity, emphasizing that the politics of exploiting historical narratives will no longer succeed in Bangladesh.

He also remarked that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's political career met its demise in Dhaka and was buried in Delhi precisely due to over-exploiting historical narratives.

Urging democratic forces to maintain constructive political practices, he warned against actions that could facilitate the return of fascism, advocating instead for healthy debate in parliament and open politics on the field.