The Progressive Teachers of Bangladesh Public Universities, rooted in the spirit of the Liberation War, has issued a scathing statement demanding an inclusive and acceptable election with the participation of all political parties—and slamming the ongoing push for what they call a one-sided and deeply controversial farce set to be rammed down the nation’s throat.
In a statement released on Monday, February 9, 2026, and issued by Associate Professor Dr. Mahbub Alam Pradeep of the Department of Public Administration at Rajshahi University, these liberation-war-inspired educators pulled no punches.
They reminded everyone of the blood-soaked foundation of Bangladesh: the emergence of an independent nation through the Great Liberation War, built on the sacrifices of three million martyrs and the unimaginable suffering and honour of 200,000 mothers and sisters.
That glorious history shaped a Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights to every citizen—regardless of party, opinion, religion, or caste. And the primary constitutional vehicle for realising those rights? Parliamentary elections.
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A fair, free, impartial election with full participation of all political parties is the only path to building a sustainable, secular, democratic Bangladesh. Anything less betrays the nation’s soul.
Yet, since August 5, 2024, the educators charge that a relentless campaign has been underway to twist democracy into outright fascism. Democratic institutions are being systematically weakened, freedom of speech crushed, Bangladesh’s international standing tarnished, and the sacred history of the Liberation War distorted and demeaned.
As part of this sinister continuity, efforts are accelerating to destroy democracy and undermine the state’s sovereign independence by forcibly imposing a disputed election that deliberately excludes participation from all political parties. This sham has zero connection to the genuine will of the people, broad party involvement, or any credible acceptance from the international community.
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These teachers are unequivocal: Protecting democracy, safeguarding the spirit of the Liberation War, and preserving Bangladesh’s independent sovereignty demand nothing less than a genuine, inclusive, neutral, and universally acceptable election involving every political party. Anything short of that is unacceptable.
Therefore, in the name of preserving the country’s peace, order, and stability, they issue a fierce, urgent demand: Immediately halt this unilateral, controversial election farce before it inflicts irreversible damage on the nation.
The statement stands as a blistering rebuke to those engineering exclusion and manipulation ahead of Thursday’s polls—where the absence of key forces (notably the Awami League) has already sparked widespread outrage over legitimacy, inclusivity, and the very survival of meaningful democracy in Bangladesh.
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