Dhaka, Aug 03 (V7N) – Farida Akhtar, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock under the interim government, has stated that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina must face trial on the soil of Bengal, and that no election can be acceptable without ensuring her prosecution.

She made the remarks on Saturday (August 2) while addressing a program titled ‘Salute to July Warriors’, organized by the group ‘Warriors of July’ at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

"You are fighting on the streets so we can bring Sheikh Hasina to justice. We are with you and will remain with you," she told the audience, many of whom were linked to the July Uprising movement.

Farida Akhtar emphasized that while the current interim government has been established, the state structure and constitution remain unchanged. "We have risen for a change in government without changing the state itself. But the constitution under which fascism was institutionalized is still active. As long as that remains, we cannot expect significant change," she said.

Calling for broader structural reform, she warned against complacency. “Fascism exists in many forms, and we must confront it in all its manifestations. We are not outsiders in this struggle — we are part of the movement,” the advisor asserted.

Her strong remarks come just days before the highly anticipated July Declaration, which is expected to outline a roadmap for state reform following last year’s mass uprising.

END/RH/AJ