Government wants to build the country through politics free of vengeance, not continuity of the past: home minister
Photo: Collected
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government is working to build a beautiful country by leaving behind the politics of vengeance. He said the government wants to take the country forward by moving away from the continuity of past governments.
The minister urged unity in all spheres, including political, social, educational and cultural, for the development of the country and its people. He called on students and the public to come forward in this work.
A discussion was held today at the central auditorium of Jagannath University in the capital marking the university’s 21st founding anniversary (Jagannath University Day, 2026). The home minister made these remarks there as the chief guest.
The minister said the BNP implements what it promises. Accommodation will be arranged for Jagannath University students. All of the people’s needs will be met step by step in line with the government’s capacity. He also remarked that the country is moving forward under the visionary leadership of the prime minister.
He further said that a nation’s development requires improving its education system. The current government is doing exactly that, whereas the previous Awami League government left the education system in ruins.
Salahuddin Ahmed said work is under way to further improve the education system. Technical education is being arranged to remove unemployment in the country. Students who do not get the chance to study at university will create their own employment through technical education.
The home minister also called on universities to come forward in building a technology-based, merit-driven and knowledge-based society.
He said that to meet the challenges of the 21st century and build a modern Bangladesh, it is essential to go beyond the bounds of conventional education and develop technological knowledge and talent. For this, the country’s universities must come forward to ensure innovative research, the practice of modern information technology and merit-based education.
The minister also remarked that, in the interest of the country and the welfare of the people, continuity of public-welfare work should be maintained even after a political changeover.
In his words, the core principle should be ‘Bangladesh first, people first’. A country does not mean only territory or a flag; behind it lies the union of the people’s right to self-determination and ownership.
Recounting the history of Jagannath University’s establishment, the minister said that through the sincere efforts of student leaders including martyr Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, and the earnest wish of Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia, the process of converting the institution into a university began in 1995. Later, during the BNP government’s tenure in 2005, Jagannath University College was formally upgraded to a full-fledged university through a law passed in parliament.
The home minister said work is under way to build a new campus with separate and modern residential facilities on 200 acres of land in Keraniganj, outside the current campus. He also said the government’s attitude towards meeting the students’ reasonable demands is positive.
On the education system and higher education, Salahuddin Ahmed said a nation cannot develop merely through certificates or GPA-5. Qualitative change and research-oriented education are essential for this. Universities should develop not just for employment, but as centres for the practice of free thinking and advanced research.
Stressing technical and technological education, he said that instead of sitting idle and unemployed with higher degrees in general education alone, everyone must become skilled and trained manpower in line with the demands of the modern world.
Emphasising keeping pace with the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence (AI) and a technology-driven modern economy, the minister said there is no alternative to developing innovative ideas, technology-based knowledge and merit-based manpower alongside traditional systems to survive in the competition of the days ahead.
He called on the young generation to come forward to build a prosperous Bangladesh, upholding the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising and patriotism while maintaining national unity.
Presided over by Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rais Uddin, the event was also addressed as special guests by parliamentary whip Mia Nuruddin Ahammed Apu and Anisur Rahman Talukder Khokon, MP for the Madaripur-3 constituency.
The day-long programme marking Jagannath University Day, 2026 included hoisting the national flag, a joyous rally, a fine arts exhibition, a discussion, a doa mahfil, and a cultural programme and concert.
Background
Jagannath University students staged a movement for nearly a month demanding residential halls. After that, a new campus at Teghoria in Keraniganj was announced in September 2016 — bdnews24.com reported this on 12 January 2025.
Students began a hunger strike on 12 January 2025 demanding that the construction work be handed to the army. After that, on 16 January the ministry issued a letter to start the process of beginning the work through the army — The Daily Star Bangla reported this on 23 April 2025.
By the numbers
Ecnec approved a land acquisition and development project worth Tk 1,920.94 crore on 9 October 2018. The original target for completing the project was October 2020 — bdnews24.com reported this on 12 January 2025.
Some 200 acres of land were approved for acquisition. Of this, the university received 188.60 acres on 23 January 2020, while 11.40 acres were still to be handed over at the time — according to a bdnews24.com report of 12 January 2025.
According to a report by The Daily Star Bangla of 23 April 2025, the army’s project director had expected the first phase of work to be completed before December 2026.
At a glance
The first phase of the project comprises land acquisition, sand filling, an engineering building, a base camp and a boundary wall. No accommodation work was included in this phase. Following the students’ demands, the Dr Habibur Rahman Hall and Bani Bhaban were added to the revised development project proposal (RDPP) — The Daily Star Bangla reported this on 23 April 2025.
Sources
Original report: BSS
Background sources: bdnews24.com, 12 January 2025; The Daily Star Bangla, 23 April 2025
