Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed today alleged that dissemination of programmes of a banned political party is a part of a fascist conspiracy. 'The network of this conspiracy is not limited to the fascists only, but several other forces have also become involved in it. We all must remain alert about this,' he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi made the remarks while addressing as chief guest a discussion organized by the 'Ziaur Rahman Archive' at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital, marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day. He added, 'A few media outlets are widely publicizing the programmes of a banned party. Who are they? I am not blaming everyone, but those who are spreading the inhuman, violent and vengeful programmes of a banned or suspended party-can't they be brought under the law?'
The senior BNP leader expressed concerns about the delay in holding the national election, stating, 'Because of the delay in holding the national election, we are hearing the sounds of the rise of the fallen autocracy and fascism. Their voices are now being heard more intensely and violently through audio, video, and other media. It is being said that there will be a "lockdown" on the 13th.'
He questioned the nature and origin of the so-called lockdown, adding, 'The question is- what lockdown, whose lockdown? Communications are being made from neighboring countries and elsewhere.' Rizvi accused certain groups of having ample financial resources, allegedly obtained through corrupt practices, to instigate violence, saying, 'They have no shortage of money. Money has been looted from Bangladesh Bank, Janata Bank, Sonali Bank, Basic Bank, the Padma Bridge, flyovers- everywhere. With that money, making bombs or setting vehicles on fire is not difficult. They are doing exactly that.'
Rizvi further accused the government of using state power for political gain by inciting violence and blaming the opposition. 'Two things have become clear here- one is their inhuman cruelty, which has existed for a long time. Using state power, they themselves set buses on fire at different times and blamed the opposition. We had then said that it was being done by the government itself, and we also provided proof,' he stated.
He raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country, citing a political leader's statement about delaying the next election until 2029 unless a referendum is held. 'A leader of a political party has said that if there is no referendum, the next election will be held in 2029,' he said, highlighting the deprivation of free and fair elections for 15-16 years.
Rizvi criticized the mockery of public sentiment, stating, 'You mock this agony as "PR". But in PR, there will be no candidates; yet you made uproar over giving it legal legitimacy. When will you actually do the real work?' He emphasized the need for free and fair elections, saying, 'The purpose of all the struggle, sacrifice, and bloodshed was to ensure free and fair elections. If both processes go side by side, what is the loss?'
Finally, Rizvi called for unity among democratic forces to combat undemocratic and anti-liberation elements, stating, 'All democratic forces must unite at least on some minimum common grounds to resist the undemocratic and anti-liberation elements. Only then will we be able to present this country as a beautiful one.' The event was chaired by Sanjay De Ripon and attended by various BNP leaders, including Assistant Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim Shahin, Assistant Organizing Secretary Professor Aminul Islam, Dr. Zahurul Haque, and Joint Secretary of Krishak Dal Agriculturist Mehedi Hasan Palash.