Staff Correspondent

Noted writer Prof Salimullah Khan said if the students, who led the 2024 movement, want to implement their programmes, they will require formation of a new political party.

“There is no doubt that you will need a political party to implement your programmes. If a country runs on the basis of politics, then political parties are essential,” he said.

Prof Khan was addressing a meeting of Jatiya Nagorik Committee’s D in the city’s Gulshan area. The meeting was held with participation of thana-level representatives from its Dhaka North City unit to abolish fascist systems and implement new political settlement.

The writer said over time new political parties were formed to meet the needs of the times. Those who led the 2024 movement did not lead it as an organized political party. But it has already happened.

“Now if you want to form a political party by capitalising on its (movement’s) history, no one should stop you. You can develop your own party,” he said.

He said if a country runs on the basis of politics, then political parties are essential. A modern republican state or democratic state cannot run without political parties. So, there is no question about whether a political party should be formed or not,” he added.

But a little doubt has emerged among the existing political parties thinking about what would happen to them if these young students form their own political party, said Prof Khan.

Pointing at the political parties, he said, “If we want to build a truly democratic state, we need many political parties. And we need watchdogs to see if a political party is running the country properly.” Former chairman of Law Department in Dhaka University Dr Maimul Ahsan Khan warned the students that fascism might return through pluralism unless they are not careful.

"If you are not careful, you won’t be able to eliminate the fascist system through pluralism, rather you may help its reemergence,” he said.

Dr Khan stressed the need for banning Awami League like Chhatra League. “If you fail to take action against Awami League like the way you banned Chhatra League, fascism will return. And all the big (political) parties will cooperate in it (their return),” he said.

The law professor said the last 30 to 40 year-history proves that all other political parties are almost equally responsible for bringing fascism to the country.

Convener of Jatiya Nagorik Committee Nasiruddin Patwary, its member secretary Akhtar Hossain and spokesperson Samanta Sharmeen, among others, spoke on the occasion, while its chief organiser Sarjis Alam was present.