BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday underscored the need for taking legal measures against those who have repeatedly violated the constitution and formed illegitimate parliaments and governments in the country.
“Our statement is very clear — legal action must be taken against those who have repeatedly violated the constitution, formed illegal parliaments or governments and all those involved in breaching the constitution,” he said while exchanging greetings with members of the Buddhist community.
The BNP arranged the programme at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office, marking Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community.
Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh do not want to see the return or rehabilitation of fallen, fugitive, autocratic, and evil forces who were involved in enforced disappearances, murders, abductions, corruption, looting, money laundering, and the operation of torture cells such as the infamous ‘Aynaghar’, in any form within government or politics.
He also said the democracy-loving people in Bangladesh are now agreed on two key issues — firstly, that no one should be allowed to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state in the future, and secondly, that the absconding, subservient and anti-democratic forces must not be allowed to raise their heads again.
“As a political activist, I understand that the people of Bangladesh are not willing to accept any compromise on these two issues. Every political party in Bangladesh, including the BNP, completely agrees with this demand of the people,” Tarique said.
He called on people from all walks of life to remain alert so that no one can conspire to usurp their right to vote.
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“The BNP wants to establish a democratic government in the country through the direct votes of citizens, which will be bound to remain accountable to the people. But until a democratic government is established in the country, we must ensure that no one is able to conspire to hijack our democratic political rights and our right to vote,” the BNP leader said.
Tarique said democracy still remains the only viable option recognised globally to establish a safe and humane state.
“In democratic societies, those who act against democracy are identified as anti-democratic forces. In Bangladesh, the party or individuals who have carried out fascist rule and repression over the past decade by depriving people of their democratic rights have been identified by the pro-democratic people as such anti-democratic forces,” he said.
Tarique said his party, BNP, wants to see the interim government succeed.
He, however, said the BNP has been consistently calling upon the government from the very beginning to announce a clear roadmap or action plan so that the public has a transparent understanding of its activities.
“If people have a clear understanding of the government’s operations, there will be no scope for confusion, suspicion, or misinformation,” the BNP leader said.
He called upon the media in Bangladesh to increase the coverage of abuses and misdeeds associated with the downfall of fascist rule and the incidents of July and August.
Tarique specifically urged journalists to publish investigative reports on attacks against religious communities in various parts of the country, such as Ramu in Cox’s Bazar, Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria and other areas like Rangpur, Gaibandha and Sunamganj.
He expressed his belief that identifying those responsible for these incidents would prevent anyone from using religious communities for political gain.
Tarique also mentioned that, if the BNP is voted into power, it will form an all-party, multi-faith "Citizens' Investigation Commission" with representatives from civil society to uncover the underlying causes behind the unpleasant incidents involving different religious communities that occurred during the fifteen years of fascist rule.
Regardless of political affiliation or religion, he said every citizen's primary and proud identity in the country is being Bangladeshi.
“It is the principle of the BNP that every citizen, as a Bangladeshi, will enjoy equal and fair rights in the state and society by keeping intact their own religious beliefs or cultural uniqueness,” Tarique said.
He also extended his greetings to the Buddhist community on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.