BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Md Rafiqul Islam. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Md Rafiqul Islam today said the country's democracy is still not fully secure, as a vested quarter continues efforts to seize power through undemocratic means.

"The struggle for democracy is not over yet," he said. "Only when genuine democracy is established through the people's electoral verdict will the nation be able to reap the fruits of this long struggle."

Dr Rafiq made the remarks at a doa mahfil held at the Dr Milon Auditorium of Dhaka Medical College, organised by the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) unit of BNP and its associate bodies, seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

He said a force is still plotting to undermine democracy through backdoor means and rule the country, urging everyone to remain vigilant. "Only then can the dream of the nation's leader Begum Khaleda Zia be fulfilled," he added.

Recalling Khaleda Zia's political struggles, Dr Rafiq said that during the fascist regime, she was harassed with numerous false cases and regularly appeared before courts in old Dhaka. 

"Many of us leaders and activists used to escort her motorcade. She was not only a leader of the BNP, but also a trusted democratic figure for all political parties," he said.

He also mentioned that during the 1/11 period, despite various conspiracies to send her abroad, Khaleda Zia chose to remain in the country out of love for its soil and people, and ultimately passed away on her homeland.

Dr Rafiq said Khaleda Zia's contributions to women's education, healthcare and social development would remain indelible in history. He noted that the Dr Milon Auditorium at Dhaka Medical College was established during her tenure and said her government worked to bring healthcare services closer to the common people.

Regarding the prayer mahfil, he said prayers had been offered for Khaleda Zia across mosques, madrasas and religious institutions throughout the country. He thanked the leaders and activists of the Dhaka Medical College unit for organising the programme.

Calling for unity in the movement to restore democracy, Dr Rafiq urged everyone to remain alert in protecting people's voting rights. He said BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is now in the country and stressed the need for collective efforts to strengthen his leadership in order to re-establish democracy.