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Mindset change needed for boosting democracy: Rizvi
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said strengthening democracy requires not only the independent functioning of democratic institutions but also a change in the mindset of political parties, their leaders and activists.
“Democratic institutions must be allowed to function independently, but at the same time, the mindset of political parties and their leaders and activists must change,” he said.
Rizvi, also BNP senior joint secretary general, made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Election Violence Monitoring Report: Bangladesh Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026”, organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.
He said people want democratic institutions to be strengthened, the judiciary to function independently, the media to operate freely and the Election Commission to perform its duties independently.
“Democracy is not merely a subject of political science or history. It is not even a matter of logic. It is a matter of psychology. If your mindset is not right, you cannot achieve anything,” the BNP leader said.
He said it is natural in a democracy for the opposition to sharply and critically scrutinise the government. “There is no objection to that. But the criticism must be constructive, mutually beneficial and forward-looking. Only then will the journey of democracy become smooth and democracy develop in the state,” he said.
“One hand cannot clap. Both the government and the opposition have roles to play. If you talk about only one side, a democratic environment cannot be created,” Rizvi said.
He urged political leaders to remain cautious about their language, choice of words and the way they frame their sentences so that a violent mindset does not develop among their followers.
The BNP leader said regardless of how many laws are enacted to strengthen democracy, it cannot be effectively established unless people’s mindsets change.
Referring to the July 2024 mass uprising, he said had the movement failed, no one would have been spared, reports UNB.
Rizvi said since August 5, 2024, action has been taken against around 1,500-2,000 leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations on various charges.