During a recent climate protest event in Dhaka, Khalidi discussed the impact of people power in protests around the world. He noted that both Gandhi and Bangabandhu led non-violent movements against oppressive forces, facing violent opposition in the process. Gandhi's actions indirectly led to violence in post-1947 India, while Bangabandhu's peaceful protests were met with brutal force from the Pakistani army. The resistance that occurred in both cases took different forms, but ultimately both of our heroes emerged victorious. Khalidi believes that the influence of pioneering leaders like Gandhi and Bangabandhu can be seen in the ongoing climate protests organized by young activists worldwide. Recently, the #ShutdownDC protests brought thousands to the US capital, disrupting traffic without violence. Khalidi notes the urgent need for action against the environmental destruction caused by human activity, and highlights the protesters' call for a more equitable and safe society, similar to the visions of Gandhi and Bangabandhu. Khalidi noted that these climate protesters share a common goal. He made these remarks during a seminar on the founding fathers of India and Bangladesh, which was organized by the Gandhi Ashram Trust to honor their 150th and 100th birth anniversaries. The event, held at the National Museum in Shahbagh, was attended by various dignitaries including Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammed Abdur Razzaque, former fisheries and livestock minister Narayon Chandra Chanda, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Riva Ganguly Das, and Gandhi Ashram Trust’s Chairman Swadesh Roy. Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque also spoke at a discussion at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum, where he highlighted the impact Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had on their respective eras. Photo by Mostafigur Rahman

According to the agriculture minister, religion had a significant impact on politics during the times of Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu. However, neither of them engaged in politics that were based on religion. The minister emphasized that Bangabandhu understood early on that religion should not be used in politics, a belief that Gandhi also held. Bangabandhu's conviction in this belief was strong, as demonstrated by the founding of the Awami Muslim League, which later removed the word "Muslim" from its name after breaking away from the Muslim League. Razzaque, a member of the Awami League's presidium, stated that at the time, the Muslim League was seen as equivalent to religion, and speaking against it was like speaking against religion. He mentioned that Bangabandhu took steps to go against the Muslim League. The minister also mentioned that Gandhi's words and strategy are still relevant today, as he demonstrated the effectiveness of nonviolence and non-cooperation movements in his struggle against the powerful British forces. High Commissioner Riva Das emphasized the importance of participation and inspiration in nonviolent resistance, stating that it is more effective. She highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's belief that true strength comes from righteousness, power from truth, and victory from moral courage. Das also pointed to leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr as examples of the power of nonviolent movements. She encouraged everyone to incorporate the ideals of Gandhi and Bangabandhu into their daily lives, rather than confining them to specific events. Narayon Chandra Chanda, a former minister and member of parliament, emphasized the importance of upholding the spirit of the Liberation War among the youth of Bangladesh as they pursue development. He urged them to honor the sacrifices of Bangabandhu and the freedom fighters by working towards building a multicultural nation. Speaking at a discussion organized by Gandhi Ashram Trust, Narayon highlighted the uncompromising commitment of both Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu in advocating for the rights of the people through nonviolent means, even in their personal lives. Despite facing allegations of corruption, Bangabandhu's integrity remained unblemished, as he never strayed from his principles. During a discussion organized by Gandhi Ashram Trust at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka University's Professor Muntasir Mamun highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's emphasis on separating politics from religion. He also mentioned the upcoming publication of intelligence reports on Bangabandhu, stating that there is no evidence of him using religion in politics. Professor Mamun criticized the Awami League, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for incorporating religion into their policies after Bangabandhu's death. The journalist Swadesh Roy emphasized that only Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not want to use religion for political gain, and encouraged youth to follow the examples of Gandhi and Bangabandhu in addressing global issues. The seminar was moderated by the Trust's Director Raha Naba Kumar. Khalidi highlighted how both Gandhi and Bangabandhu used their networking skills and ability to inspire people to lead their countries to freedom, and stated that their stories are still relevant for overcoming modern injustices. He also pointed out that the wealthy and powerful are often the main contributors to climate issues. The primary contributors to pollution are the advanced economies, which are highly industrialized societies capable of causing destruction on a massive scale. In their lifetimes, both Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fought against powerful forces and taught the world how to overcome them. It is believed that even in the afterlife, they continue to make a positive impact. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Editor-in-Chief of bdnews24.com, spoke at a discussion hosted by Gandhi Ashram Trust at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum on Thursday in honor of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. During the discussion, Khalidi highlighted that Bangladeshi households are spending nearly Tk 158 billion taka annually on repairing damages caused by climate change and taking preventive measures. He noted that this amount is significantly higher than what international donors provide to Bangladesh and double the government's expenditure on the issue. As a result, rural families are being forced to reallocate their resources to combat the effects of climate change, often resorting to borrowing from informal sources at high-interest rates, which further plunges them into poverty. This information comes from the International Institute for Environment and Development. According to Khalidi, both Gandhi and Bangabandhu would have spoken out to help these families. Even though they are no longer here, their influence still affects the world. For example, Bangabandhu's leadership while absent garnered global support for Bangladesh in 1971, even in the face of opposition from powerful nations.