BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has stressed the need to make cultural and sports activities mandatory alongside primary education to ensure holistic development of children.

Speaking virtually as the chief guest at a day-long BNP workshop held at the Lalmonirhat Zila Parishad Auditorium on Tuesday, Tarique Rahman said, “Alongside academics, children must be actively involved in cultural and sports activities. These activities not only contribute to mental development but also enhance physical well-being.”

The workshop was organized by the BNP’s Central Training Affairs Committee. Central and district-level leaders as well as over 200 local party members from all five upazilas of Lalmonirhat participated in the event.

Answering questions from attendees, Tarique Rahman said, “Though Bangladesh is not a large country in terms of land area, it has a vast and diverse population. Each region — from Lalmonirhat to Kurigram, Chattogram, and Kushtia — possesses unique cultural traits. These regional identities are our heritage.”

He added, “Whenever BNP has been in power, we have tried to advance our native culture. Over the last 17 years, many cultural activists have lived in hardship. When Begum Khaleda Zia was in office, numerous artists and cultural figures received assistance. Promoting local culture is part of our broader vision. We want to integrate cultural education and sports into primary education so that children grow mentally and physically in a balanced way.”

On broader national issues, Tarique Rahman reiterated the importance of implementing BNP’s proposed 31-point reform agenda, which he claimed is essential for restructuring the state and safeguarding public interest.

The event was chaired by Asadul Habib Dulu, Central Organizing Secretary of BNP and President of Lalmonirhat District BNP. Among others present were BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Training Affairs Secretary Rasheda Begum Heera, and Nawaz Halima Arly. Central Chhatra Dal leader Iqbal Hossain Shyamal conducted the session.

Workshop participants, including leaders from BNP and affiliated organizations, expressed hope that the 31-point agenda would restore peace, eliminate corruption across sectors, and end authoritarian governance.

Earlier, in the first session of the workshop, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie remarked, “Tarique Rahman’s 31-point outline will root out fascism in Bangladesh. The people will no longer be held hostage by one-party rule. Peace will return through the implementation of this agenda.”

He further alleged, “Our neighbor India has failed to treat the people of Bangladesh with due respect, instead favoring one particular party. But the people of Bangladesh, through the popular student-led uprising in July, made it clear that they reject foreign domination.”