BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday said Bangladesh cannot afford to move back toward fascism and must instead work to build a humane and democratic state.

“We do not want Bangladesh to be known again to the world as a fascist state. We want to build a humane Bangladesh,” he said while speaking at a discussion organised by the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at Jatiya Press Club.

Dr Moyeen, a member of BNP Standing Committee, noted that Bangladesh is among the most densely populated countries in the world and that Dhaka is projected to become the most crowded major city by 2050.

“How such a city will be managed is a serious issue. Although we are not yet economically strong, we are surviving largely on an informal economy. Future leaders must address these challenges,” he said.

He criticised Awami League, alleging that instead of serving the people, it established self-serving power networks, which he described as an “oligarchic structure.”

“As a result, the poor have become poorer,” he added.

Dr Moyeen also said that even after 54 years of independence, Bangladesh is still struggling to establish true democracy.

“The Liberation War of 1971 was fought for democracy, economic rights and human dignity. Those who ruled in the past and those ruling now must answer why they failed to achieve these goals,” he said.

He further observed that every authoritarian ruler in Bangladesh has faced resistance when attempting to suppress freedom of speech.

“Modern state systems can be cruel as they often make people numb and indifferent to human values. Future rulers must remain mindful of this reality,” he said.

The discussion was chaired by DAB President Prof Dr Harun Al Rashid.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Prof Dr Forhad Halim Dona, along with DAB Secretary General Dr Md Zahidul Islam Shakil and others, were also present.