Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Monday called for making Jatiya Sangsad the main centre of politics to properly evaluate the bloodstain sacrifices of all democratic movements, including the July Uprising and the 1971 Great Liberation War.

“There is a tendency to artificially take politics out of parliament even today, which is very sad. Making the parliament effective, keeping political debate within the democratic culture and glorifying the political process should be the only criteria for all of us to strengthen democracy,” he told a discussion.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) jointly organised the discussion at Jatiya Press Club here this morning marking the 2nd anniversary of the July Uprising.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke in the event as the chief guest.

Swapon said even 55 years after the Liberation War, when the country’s people need to sacrifice their lives for their right to vote, it is a matter of shame and self-criticism for all.

“However, the people have given their mandate on the basis of the voting right achieved through many sacrifices and movements. Currently, BNP is running the Jatiya Sangsad with a two-thirds majority,” he said.

The information minister said this democracy and parliament, achieved through so much blood and sacrifice, should be the centre of their politics.

“It is very sad that even when we come to remember the martyrs, we see that without taking full lessons from their sacrifice, there is an attempt to artificially take politics to the streets or outside the parliament. Even on social media, various obscenities and conspiracies are being resorted to, going beyond common values, which are not a good sign,” he said.

Regarding good governance and the implementation of the July Charter, Swapon said the blood of martyrs is mixed in every letter of the July Charter.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government is committed to implementing the July Charter through the elected parliament, he said.

Making the parliament vibrant, elevating the judiciary to a dignified position, protecting sovereignty and creating employment for a large number of youth is now the main priorities of the government, he said.

The minister said, “Just as we fought for good governance and democracy on the streets from outside power in the past, today, as the ruling party, the Prime Minister, ministers and members of parliament are working to ensure good governance.”

“The sacrifice of the martyrs will be meaningful only when we can ensure good governance by keeping all democratic forces united,” he added.

BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen delivered the welcome speech at the discussion, while BFUJ Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury presented a keynote paper.

Chaired by DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam and moderated by its General Secretary Khurshid Alam, the meeting was attended, among others, by Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Jatiya Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, eminent journalist and editor of Dainik Pratidin Bangladesh Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, Jugantor Editor Abdul Hai Sikder.

Former DUJ President Elahi Newaz Khan Saju, DUJ Vice President Rashedul Haque, Joint Secretary Md Didarul Alam Didar, Organising Secretary Sayeed Khan, BFUJ Publicity Secretary Shahjahan Saju, Organising Secretary Erfanul Haque Nahid and leaders of different journalist organisations were present.