BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday urged opposition political parties not to “encourage” or give any concession to what he called the defeated forces of 2024, alleging that they are trying in various ways to create instability in the country.
He said acts of violence and sabotage are being carried out as part of those efforts.
Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a rally organised by the BNP's three main affiliates - Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan before a protest procession.
He said conspiracies are being hatched to politically rehabilitate ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and restore the previous political system.
“None of the attempts to undermine the political change that came through the mass movement of 2024 can be allowed to succeed,” he said.
Rizvi was clear in stating that the defeated forces had no right to conduct activities on the streets. while all other political parties have full rights to hold rallies and programmes on the streets.
While asserting that holding political programmes and criticising the government are democratic rights, Rizvi also reiterated that "no activity should be carried out that could provide an opportunity for the defeated forces to organise politically again.”
Rizvi said some opposition figures are making what he described as “irresponsible remarks”, spreading propaganda and making allegations, but the government led by Tarique Rahman had created a democratic environment in which opposition parties could hold long marches, rallies and speak from stages.
“You are holding long marches, organising protest rallies, making threats from the stage to beat people like dogs, chasing people and destroying government property, as was done at Rajshahi Railway Station by these covert and dormant people. You know this, don’t you? You knowi,” he said.
Referring to comments by the secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, Rizvi said the Jamaat leader had claimed that the BNP and its government had created an opportunity for the defeated “fascists” to carry out their activities.
“If that is the case, then under what opportunity are you vandalising railway stations? On what basis are you telling Chhatra Dal activists that you will beat them like dogs? Under what opportunity are you saying this? You are talking about them!” he said.
Rizvi asked who was setting vehicles and CNG-run auto-rickshaws on fire and who was setting trains on fire in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh.
“You are creating that opportunity today,” he said, alleging that the situation created by what he called their “petty forces” and “covert and dormant” elements is encouraging the defeated forces.
Rizvi said the current situation should not be allowed to tarnish the sacrifices made during the July Uprising and the victory of August 5, 2024.
Rizvi also congratulated and thanked the prime minister for the speech and expressed full solidarity with the rally and procession organised by the three front bodies. Jubo Dal, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal.
