Fascism Has Undermined the True Meaning of Freedom: Asif

Bangladesh, born in 1971 through a fierce and bloody struggle for independence, has witnessed the steady erosion of the very concept of freedom over the past 16 years, said Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, on March 26.

Speaking to journalists after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar on Independence Day, Asif emphasized that true independence is not just about territorial sovereignty, but about ensuring that every citizen enjoys freedom of speech and expression. “Until every citizen of this country feels truly free, with the right to express themselves openly, mere territorial independence holds little meaning,” he remarked.

Asif further noted that the spirit of freedom, once won in 1971, has been preserved through the resistance of the people, referencing the ‘24 July Uprising’ as a pivotal moment in protecting the hard-won liberties of the nation.

"That uprising was crucial in safeguarding our freedom, a struggle that reaffirmed our resolve to never again live under subjugation," he stated. "This independence, which we defended through bloodshed, will continue to thrive in Bangladesh in the years to come, and the people will never again be deprived of their fundamental freedoms," he added.

The adviser’s remarks underscored the ongoing battle to preserve the freedoms and democratic values Bangladesh fought so hard to achieve in 1971.