Zaker Party Chairman Mostafa Amir Faisal has called for national unity to protect Bangladesh’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, saying the people would remain united against any attempt to divide the country or establish a separate state using any part of its territory, and that his party would, if necessary, stand with its activists and the wider population to defend the country. Speaking as the chief guest at an Islamic conference marking the 37th founding anniversary of the Zaker Party at Bishwo Zaker Manzil in Baishrashri, Faridpur’s Sadarpur upazila, Faisal said he had heard that some people were dreaming of establishing a separate state around the Rangpur division. He warned that the people of Bangladesh would not accept any initiative that could threaten the country’s territory, national unity or sovereignty. “If they come against our country, if they seek to divide our country, if they conspire to establish a separate state using any part of our territory and use force against us, the people of Bangladesh will not allow that aspiration to be realised,” he said. Faisal added that no one would be able to take even an inch of Bangladeshi territory while the people remained alive and said the Zaker Party would, if necessary, stand with its leaders, activists and the wider public to protect national sovereignty. He did not, however, name any particular individual, organisation or group allegedly involved in plans to establish a separate state in Rangpur. Another major theme of his address was the need to accelerate Bangladesh’s defence capabilities. Referring to the government’s reported 10-year master plan for strengthening military and defence capacity, Faisal said the country’s present circumstances did not allow it to wait that long. In his view, Bangladesh should rapidly develop its air force, naval capabilities and broader military strength so that it could become more self-reliant in national defence. “We must take rapid steps in military strength. The current realities of the country will not allow ten years; at most, they will give us two years,” he said, arguing that there should be no compromise on national defence. Faisal also placed his call for stronger defence within a broader historical account of Bangladesh’s political struggles. He referred to the bloodshed associated with the 1857 uprising against British rule, the political changes of 1947, the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 pro-democracy movement and the political upheaval of 2024, saying these events demonstrated the people’s history of sacrifice and struggle. “We are a fighting nation, and for the interests of the country we are united,” he said. His remarks placed national sovereignty, territorial integrity, defence preparedness and political unity at the centre of his address. The anniversary conference brought together Zaker Party leaders, activists, supporters, representatives from different levels of the organisation and religious followers. Following the national anthem, the national flag and the party flag were raised, after which Faisal cut a large anniversary cake on behalf of the party. He also released pigeons, presented as symbols of peace, along with a number of balloons. Zaker Party Secretary-General Shamim Haider and other senior party leaders attended the programme, alongside activists from different organisational levels and affiliated organisations. Journalists from print and electronic media were also present, while organisers said large numbers of followers and religious devotees from different parts of Bangladesh and abroad attended the event. The gathering combined political speeches with Islamic and spiritual discussions, reflecting the party’s religious and political character. Faisal’s remarks came as issues including regional geopolitics, border security, defence preparedness and national sovereignty continue to feature prominently in South Asian political debate. Bangladesh’s strategic location, with borders with India and Myanmar and access to the Bay of Bengal, gives its security and defence policies wider regional significance. While Faisal’s call for faster defence modernisation carries political significance, he did not outline specific weapons purchases, military projects or defence-budget priorities. Likewise, he did not provide evidence or identify a specific organisation behind the alleged plans concerning a separate state in Rangpur. His comments therefore primarily amounted to a political call for national unity, territorial integrity and stronger defence preparedness. At the anniversary gathering, Faisal urged Bangladeshis to place the country’s sovereignty above political differences and stressed the need for collective resolve to protect the nation’s territory. He argued that the people of Bangladesh had demonstrated their capacity to unite during previous periods of political crisis and struggle and should maintain that unity in the national interest. The speech placed national security, territorial integrity and defence capability among the key themes of the Zaker Party’s political discourse.
No one can take away even an inch of land from Bangladesh: Zaker Party Chairman Mustafa Amir Faisal
