|| Acting Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Barrister Kayser Kamal, MP, has said the expectations of the people from the current parliament are exceptionally high, as “36 crore eyes” of the country’s 18 crore people are fixed on its activities. Describing the present legislature as the “parliament of the oppressed”, he said the overwhelming majority of lawmakers had endured execution threats, enforced disappearances, secret detention, imprisonment, persecution or exile in the past, making the present parliament unique not only in Bangladesh but also in the world. “The people expect elected lawmakers to fulfil their aspirations through thoughtful debates, constructive criticism and reasoned decision-making,” he said in an exclusive interview with the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday. “The current parliament is the parliament of the oppressed. Many members have come here after facing the gallows, enforced disappearance, secret detention centres, imprisonment, persecution, exile and arrest warrants,” he said. “I believe around 99 percent of the 350 lawmakers fall under one or more of these experiences. Therefore, this parliament is unique not only in the history of Bangladesh but also in the history of the world.” Kayser Kamal said people from all walks of life, including farmers, workers and ordinary citizens, now closely follow parliamentary proceedings through mobile phones. “This Parliament represents 18 crore people, and the 36 crore eyes of those people are fixed on it. We expect lawmakers to meet the aspirations of the nation through meaningful debates, constructive criticism and logical deliberations,” he said. As the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker, he said, the responsibility is to conduct the parliamentary business with complete neutrality and fairness. “Justice and impartiality are my foremost principles. As long as I have the opportunity to preside over the parliament, I will remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of neutrality and fairness,” he added. The Acting Speaker stressed that both the government and the opposition must play responsible roles in institutionalising democracy. “Our forefathers sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War to establish a democratic state based on equality, human rights, human dignity, the rule of law and constitutional governance. The ruling party and the opposition must now work together to institutionalise that democratic journey. That is what the nation expects,” he said. Kayser Kamal described Parliament as the centre of the country’s governance, saying that while laws are enacted by the legislature, implemented by the executive and interpreted by the judiciary, the legislative institution remains at the heart of the state. “I believe the Jatiya Sangsad should be the center point of Bangladesh’s overall development as well as its democratic and political practices. Both the government and the opposition should have full opportunities to present their views and offer constructive criticism,” he said. He said constructive debate between the treasury and opposition benches is the essence of parliamentary democracy and cited the parliaments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Pakistan and India as examples where state policies are shaped through debate and deliberation. “I firmly believe the Jatiya Sangsad will become the centre of Bangladesh’s present and future. The aspirations of those who were martyred and injured during the July mass uprising will be fulfilled, and the hopes of the people to build a better nation will be realised,” he said. Referring to Bangladesh’s political history, the Acting Speaker said the Liberation War had been fought to establish democracy, human rights, equality and human dignity. He alleged that democracy was undermined after independence through the establishment of a one-party system under BAKSAL in 1975. According to him, democracy was later restored under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman following the Sepoy-People’s Revolution, enabling people to regain democratic rights and paving the way for parliamentary elections. He described the 1979 Parliament as one of the finest in Bangladesh’s history but said democracy again suffered setbacks following Ziaur Rahman’s assassination and the subsequent military rule under autocrat Hussain Muhammad Ershad.The Acting Speaker said democracy was restored once more after the 1990 mass uprising under the leadership of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, when parliamentary democracy was reintroduced. He also criticised subsequent political developments, including the events of 1/11 (changeover), the abolition of the caretaker government system, and the parliamentary elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024, alleging that those developments weakened democratic institutions. Referring to the July-August 2024 mass uprising, Kayser Kamal said Bangladesh was freed from a fascist regime on August 5, 2024, following the sacrifices of hundreds of people and injuries to thousands more. He said the interim government, the Election Commission and other stakeholders worked tirelessly to restore democracy, culminating in the parliamentary election held on February 12, 2026. “The election was one of the most peaceful, fair and participatory in Bangladesh’s history. Through that election, a new democratic journey has begun, and the Jatiya Sangsad is the centre of that journey,” he said.