Dhaka: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today stated that if Sheikh Hasina had not fallen in the July Uprising, countless students could have faced severe consequences, including possible execution. "Many of us could have been hanged," he remarked during an event at the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) premises.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and documentary screening titled 'Nurses' Contribution in the Bloody July,' organized by the Nurses Association of Bangladesh (NAB). The event was chaired by NAB's President, BMU branch, Sharmin Akhter. Rizvi highlighted the directives provided by BNP Chairman and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman throughout the movement, which he shared with journalists.
Rizvi addressed various statements about the credit for the July uprising, recalling how Sheikh Hasina and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Qader accused BNP of instigating the movement. He criticized the language used against BNP, which he claimed was not in line with political culture.
Describing the July movement as a response to 17 years of oppression, Rizvi likened it to the spirit of the French Revolution. He criticized the political culture introduced by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of dragging politics to a despicable level. Rizvi alleged that this culture is now being followed by leaders of a new party, contrasting it with BNP's approach of avoiding obscene or indecent remarks.
Political Assistant to the Prime Minister Rashid Khan, BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, and Co-Health Affairs Secretary (Nurses and Health Assistants) Sujon Mia also spoke at the occasion.