Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin spoke as a special guest at a divisional view-exchange meeting held at the Advocate Tareq Memorial Auditorium in Mymensingh. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today said that participation of the country’s people in the ensuing referendum alongside the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election is essential to prevent recurrence of fascism.

“We have a responsibility to our children. It’s our duty to leave behind a safe country for them. For that reason, the upcoming election and the referendum are important,” he said.

Bashir made these remarks today while speaking as a special guest at a divisional view-exchange meeting held at the Advocate Tareq Memorial Auditorium in Mymensingh aimed at referendum campaigning and voters’ motivation.

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, spoke at the event as the chief guest chaired by Farah Shammi, Divisional Commissioner of Mymensingh, said a handout. 

Stating that the current interim government is organizing a referendum to amend the Constitution with the objective of state reform, the Commerce Adviser said that the Constitution was amended in the past in just four minutes, without any public opinion. “As a result, fascism had taken root over the country. To prevent the recurrence of fascism, participation of all citizens in the referendum is essential.”

The Adviser further said that various forms of propaganda are being spread regarding the upcoming election, and thus urged everyone not to be misled by such misinformation.

Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser; Professor Dr. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University; and Mohammad Ataul Kibria, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Mymensingh Range, spoke as special guests.

In addition, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police from the districts of Mymensingh Division, and officials and employees from various district-level government offices were present at the meeting.