Democracy
Only 25% of respondents think country heading in the right economic direction: Asia Foundation, BIGD survey
A recently published report jointly conducted by The Asia Foundation and BIGD of BRAC University revealed that only 39 percent of the participants agreed that Bangladesh is heading in the right political direction and about 48 percent disagreed.
The report is based on a survey titled ‘The State of Bangladesh’s Political Governance, Development and Society’. It sheds light on Bangladeshi citizen’s perception about the political, economic, and social atmosphere of the country.
The survey collected data from 10,240 adult men and women, representing all 64 districts, between November 2022 and January 2023. The same survey was also conducted in 2019, 2018, and 2017.
The survey respondents were asked whether they thought that the country is heading in the right direction – socially, politically, and economically.
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While a modest majority, 58 percent, agreed that Bangladesh is heading in the right direction socially, 39 percent disagreed, the report said.
This perception was the lowest for economic direction, with only 25 percent saying that the country is heading in the right economic direction and whereas 70 percent disagreeing.
These percentages, across all three domains, are significantly lower than what they were in 2019, indicating a considerable deterioration of public perceptions about the country’s future.
On the question of democracy, about 54 percent of the respondents in 2022 agreed that one party plays a dominant role in politics and governance, which was reported by an even higher percentage, 72, of the respondents in 2019.
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However, in 2019, only 11 percent thought that the dominant party’s impact on politics was negative. This year this percentage is notably higher – 34 percent, said the report.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, 34 percent of respondents said they would welcome them in their community in 2018, which was reduced to 15 percent in 2019 and to 13 percent in 2022. About 44 percent feel that the government is doing a lot and 44 percent were of the opinion that the government is doing enough to support the refugees, it said.
About Padma Bridge, 72 percent said that it is the most important success in Bangladesh; 47 percent credit the bridge’s construction to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while 28 percent credit the Bangladesh government.
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The report also identified that the lower income group’s positive response regarding the country’s economic direction, in particular, decreased considerably compared to the higher income group.
“In 2019, about 84 percent of respondents with a monthly income of Tk 5,000 or less said the country is heading in the right economic direction; only 32 percent said so in 2022,” it said.
“As the major problems facing Bangladesh, price hike came out as the top problem, mentioned by 44 percent of the study respondents. And when specifically asked about the impact of price hike, about 84 percent of all respondents in 2022 said that it has severely impacted their lives. Other significant problems mentioned by the respondents included business downturn, unemployment, corruption, and political instability,” the report added.
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Govt trying to unleash violence to blame BNP: Fakhrul
Voicing deep concerns over the crude bomb explosions in the capital ahead of the party’s public rally on Wednesday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government is trying to unleash violence in the country to blame the opposition party.
"They (govt) are trying again to push the entire country and the nation towards violence deliberately through provocations, he said.
Speaking at a training programme for the female leaders and workers of BNP, Fakhrul said some media outlets reported about the crude bomb explosions in the city's Moghbazar area on Monday night. “It is a very deliberate and conspiratorial move by those who want to destroy the democracy in Bangladesh and to malign and blame the opposition parties.”
Also read: One-point Movement: BNP sits with four allies
He alleged that the government carried out the incident through its various agencies to give the impression that BNP was behind it.
The BNP leader said their party has announced to hold a peaceful public rally in the capital on Wednesday as they did in the past. “But they (AL) have announced a so-called counter programme, 'peace rally' and 'peace march', pushing the country towards conflict."
He warned that the government will have to shoulder all the responsibilities for taking the country towards violence with its provocative acts and programmes.
Fakhrul called upon the government to back off from these terrible efforts to destabilise the country and work for creating a truly democratic state system in the country by accepting the opposition’s demand for holding an acceptable national election under a neutral administration.
Also read: BNP seeks cops' cooperation in holding Dhaka rally Wednesday
The BNP's 'Training Cell' arranged the day-long training workshop for women representatives of the party in collaboration with United States-based 'Democracy International (DI)' at party the chairperson's office in Gulshan.
Fakhrul said the government has recently been saying that they do not obstruct the political parties from doing their political activities. “It’s a complete lie and fraudulence."
“Awami League has a characteristic problem that they do not believe in democracy. They choose dictatorship and feudalism. They have a mindset that there‘s no one else in the country except them and they’re the only owners of the country,” he said.
Also read: Govt has taken elections as weapon to establish fascism: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said it is unfortunate for the nation that there is no democracy in the country while the democratic space for the political parties has been destroyed.
He questioned whether there is any democratic party in the world except BNP, whose four million leaders and workers are facing false political cases and the chief of the party has been convicted on false charges and all the senior leaders of the party are facing false cases on fake charges.
Citing a newspaper report, Fakhrul alleged that the government is trying to speed up the trial in the cases filed against him and their party chief Khaleda Zia. “They’ve instructed the police authorities and even the Law Ministry issued a letter to the judges to speed up the trial and dispose of the cases (against opposition leaders and activists)…the rulers are doing this as they don’t believe in democracy. They want to hang onto power and they don’t respect and count the other political parties.”
Also read: Fakhrul sets up big expectations from next Wednesday's BNP rally
Fakhrul said they have been carrying out a movement for the restoration of democracy in a democratic manner as the usurper government held two elections completely deceiving people by force.
“Competitive elections are the key elements to uphold the democratic practice…but the rulers in this country talk about democracy, but they never practice it,” he said.
The BNP leader said there are now many discussions about the frequent trips of delegations from different countries to Bangladesh.
Also read: Govt hacking opposition leaders’ smartphones by using ‘Pegasus’ spyware, alleges Fakhrul
“An American delegation is coming today (Tuesday) while a team of EU has already arrived here to know about human rights democracy and elections here. Why do they come to Bangladesh? Because there’s no democracy here and there’re no (credible) elections and elections are not held (fairly) here,” Fakhrul observed.
He said a level-playing field having equal opportunity for all political parties is necessary for a good election, but it is not possible to ensure when the government tries to suppress opposition leaders and activists by arresting, jailing, killing, and implicating them in false cases and when it tries to prevent the opposition from function and holding their programmes by using the state machinery.
Also read: Fakhrul hopeful about success of one-point movement
Dialogues between parties not held in other countries, including in the US: Momen
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (July 08, 2023) said he is not aware that dialogue between political parties over election brought any results in the past.
He said the government will not talk to “any terrorists.”
The foreign minister said such dialogues are not held in other countries, including in the US, and referred to those as "useless" discussion.
Momen was responding to questions on political dialogue at ‘DCAB Talk’ at the Foreign Service Academy.
He said foreigners can come and observe the elections. "We remain transparent. We have nothing to hide."
Momen displeased at ‘seeking solutions’ of Bangladesh's internal issues from foreigners
Momen said the next election will be held as per the constitution. "We have a good track record of holding good elections. We are doing our best."
Responding to a question on recent remarks by China and Russia, he said those are their remarks. "You may ask them."
Momen said democracy is a dynamic process and it becomes mature through practice.
He said the next election will be a model election in the world. "We want all parties, who are willing, to join the elections."
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The foreign minister also said there is no problem if any “terrorist party” does not join the election.
Foreign Minister Momen has said that he fears there are efforts of hindering the national elections.
“We have indication some are trying to hinder the election process,” he said, without elaborating further whether they are from Bangladesh or outside the country.
Asked who are those making such efforts to hinder elections, he sad, “You know it better. You are journalists."
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke on the occasion.
Dev agencies should concentrate on development issues, not politics: Momen
Election won’t be held as per anyone’s prescription: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (July 02, 2023) said that the country’s election won’t be held as per anyone's prescription. It will be held according to the constitution, he said.
He came up with the remarks while talking to journalists in the conference room of the Road, Transport and Highway Division at the Secretariat on the first working day after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
“The election in Bangladesh won’t be held as per anyone's prescription; it will be held following the constitution, keeping an election-time government like other democratic countries in the world,” he said.
Read: Quader not budging from vow to hold elections in line with constitution
Asked whether there is "foreign intervention" regarding the election, Quader said that no one is intervening, perhaps some are giving suggestions and sharing thoughts.
“Many (foreigners) talk about fair elections, and we are listening. We will listen and accept suggestions, but there is no need to be concerned. We won't follow anyone's directives,” he said.
“The government wants BNP's participation in the election... We want a participatory election in the country,” the Awami League general secretary said.
Read: GM Quader wants permanent arrangement for fair elections
The minister also suggested that those who raise questions about the 2014 or 2018 elections in Bangladesh should concentrate on their own countries’ democracy.
The minister claimed that journey during Eid-ul-Azha was comfortable, as during Eid-ul-Fitr this year, due to initiatives taken by the government.
Read more: People have no confidence in country’s electoral system: GM Quader
US Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights likely to visit Bangladesh in July
US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, is likely to visit Bangladesh next month to discuss issues of mutual interest.
She leads global diplomatic efforts to strengthen democracy, advance universal human rights, support refugees and humanitarian relief, promote rule of law and counternarcotics cooperation, fight corruption and intolerance, prevent armed conflict, and eliminate human trafficking.
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Nothing has been finalised yet, and there is no official announcement from either side regarding the visit.
For security reasons, the US Embassy in Dhaka does not usually discuss movements of high-level officials, but a formal announcement will come from the US State Department once things are finalised, a diplomatic source told UNB.
Dhaka witnessed a series of visits from Washington in the recent past, including a visit by Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, in March 19-23, 2022.
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Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu also visited Bangladesh earlier this year. Lu has been heavily involved in setting Washington's Bangladesh policy in the recent past.
After the new visa policy was officially announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on May 25, Lu appeared as the public face of the move, making appearances in Bangladeshi media to explain how it would be implemented.
UN officials praise Bangladeshi peacekeepers during meeting with PM Hasina
PM Hasina credits peaceful democratic atmosphere for country's massive progress
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (May 28, 2023) said Bangladesh has been able to achieve remarkable socioeconomic development in the last 14 years due to a peaceful democratic environment prevailing in the country since 2008 elections.
She gave the credit for the success to her party Awami League which formed the government in 2009 after winning the 2008 election.
The prime minister was speaking at a programme celebrating the golden jubilee of the conferment of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Cabinet Division organised the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) with the PM in the chair.
Read more: US visa policy will apply to BNP leaders who are making open declaration to obstruct upcoming polls
Hasina said after getting the people's mandate in 2008 her government has been working for the development of the country in a planned way.
“As a result we have been able to reduce the poverty rate and maternal mortality, increase literacy and life expectancy,” she said.
“So a peaceful sustainable environment is needed for the people to attain economic emancipation, and all have to remember that,” she said.
Denouncing global arms race she put emphasis on settling all disputes through dialogue as Bangladesh did with India and Myanmar.
“Why this arms race (going on) now, why will not the money that is being used for arms competition be used for hungry children and humans. For this arms competition thousands of children and women are leading inhuman lives around the globe,” she said.
Read more: Bangladesh's upcoming national polls will be under AL govt: PM Hasina
In this connection, she mentioned that Bangladesh has given shelter to more than one million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, Rohingyas, who faced oppression her 1971. In this regard she recalled the genocide Bengalis suffered in 1971.
“We want that peace returns to the world. There shall be no types of unrest (in the world),” she said.
PM Hasina said that those who did not want the Independence of the country had killed Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Every moment we have to overcome their (anti-Liberation forces) barriers,” she said.
The prime minister firmly said Bangladesh does not want any unrest and confrontation in the world.
Read more: How Bangladesh became a role model for dev: PM Hasina tells Qatar University students in Doha
“We want development in people’s lives, and we always want that for every one” she said.
She also announced introduction of ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Peace Prize’ to recognise those who are working for establishing peace at home and abroad.
“Because we want peace we will surely advance towards the path of peace,” she said.
Eminent researcher Monayem Sarker delivered his keynote speech at the programme.
Eminent novelist Anwara Syed Haq, former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, former principal secretary and chief coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury took part in discussion on the keynote.
Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Rajshahi BNP leader sued for 'death threat against PM'
President of Bangladesh Peace Council Mozaffar Hossain Paltu and Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain also spoke.
The PM also released a first day cover and commemorative stamp and unveiled a souvenir publication on this occasion.
A documentary on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman‘s JulioCurie Peace Prize award was screened at the programme.
Later, the prime minister witnessed a colourful cultural programme organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of the Bengali nation-state and the architect of independence, the forerunner of democracy and peace movement, was awarded the JulioCurie Peace Prize by the World Peace Council on May 23, 1973.
Read more: PM’s 2nd visit to Qatar in 3 months bears sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in int’l arena: Momen
To commemorate the contributions of world-renowned scientists Marie Curie and Pierre Curie to the struggle for world peace, the World Peace Council introduced Joliot-Curie Peace Prize for distinguished individuals and organisations in 1950 for outstanding contribution to the fight against fascism, anti-imperialism, humanitarian welfare and peace.
Among the award winners were World leaders like Fidel Castro, Ho Chi Minh, Yasser Arafat, Salvador Allende, Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, poet and politician Pablo Neruda, Jawaharlal Nehru, Martin Luther King and Leonid Brezhnev.
Awami League must not come to power again as it is against independence, democracy: Fakhrul
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that the government has been working against independence and it should not be allowed to come to power again in any way.
“ It’s a matter of regret and shame that Awami League has taken a stance against independence now. During the Liberation War our aim and expectation was to establish a democratic society, multi-party state system which Awami League has destroyed and returning to one-party rule as following their previous technique,” he said.
Now their stance is against independence, against democracy and against the people of the country, said Fakhrul at a programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Thursday.
Bhashani Onusari Parishad organized the event marking former minister Sunil Kumer Gupto’s 15 the death anniversary.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that arson terrorist BNP-Jamaat alliance, the killers, the anti-liberation forces and war criminals must not come to power again in this land (Bangladesh),” she said.
The prime minister said this on Tuesday while speaking at a civic reception accorded to her at Ritz Carlton hotel in Washington.
The BNP leader also criticized the government for its stance not to repeal the Digital Security Act.” When all are demanding cancellation of the law you are boasting that it would not be cancelled.”
“ Why it should not be cancelled? You are using this(Digital Security Act) as an weapon which you don’t want to lose,” he added.
“But you should not forget that the people of the country achieved independence though the Liberation War in 1971, they ousted the autocratic government through mass upsurge in 1990. Now the people of the country have started a movement and democracy will win through this movement,” said Fakhrul.
Read more: Arson terrorists, killers must not grab power again: PM Hasina
He said that they country will have no existence if the anti-liberation, anti-democracy force comes to power again.
“ For this reason we have started a simultaneous movement with all the political parties who love the country. We have created hope among people across the country. With this hope, we’ll have to free the country, protect independence and restore people’s rights ,” he added.
Covenor of Bhashani Onusari Parishad Sheikh Rafiqul Islam chaired the event.
Though the event was supposed to be held at the Jatiya Press Club later club authorities cancelled the permission.
Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) President Mostafa Jamal Haidar, Gono Forum General Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Council Member Bijon Kanti Sarkar, among others, spoke at the event.
Prothom Alo is enemy of AL, democracy and people: PM Hasina tells parliament
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday came down heavily on the Prothom Alo saying that the Bengali language daily is the enemy of her ruling Awami League party, democracy and the people of the country.
“The name of the paper is Prothom Alo (first light), but it lives in darkness. Prothom Alo is the enemy of Awami League, democracy and the people of the country,” she told the parliament.
The premier made the remarks, joining the discussion on a motion placed by her in the House, marking the 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of the Bangladesh National Parliament. This was also her valedictory speech in the 22nd session of the current parliament.
She said the newspaper asked a 7-year old child to tell a lie, handing him Tk 10. They recorded his remark –-‘We want freedom of rice, fish and meat’--- and published it.
“I am very sorry to say that they never want the stability to remain in this country,” she said.
Hasina said the newspaper was very glad in 2007 when the emergency was declared and two newspapers got engaged wholeheartedly.
In an obvious reference to Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, she said, “A loan shark was with them (the newspapers). He is very a favourite person of the USA.”
The PM said the USA never raised the question how this person, who was the managing director of Grameen Bank, a statutory firm, got millions of dollars.
“He (Dr Yunus) runs social business in a place like the USA and makes investments at home and abroad. Did they (the USA) ever want to know from where the MD, who used to draw salary from the government, got millions of dollars? They didn’t” she said.
“Now we have to hear words (lesson) from them about corruption and the fight against corruption. And about human rights,” she said.
These people (Dr Yunus and others) tried to destroy democracy in this country and played ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.
The PM criticised the USA saying that the country talks against corruption, but they’ve been advocating for convicted persons in graft charges.
“They want to bring such a government here, scraping democracy, which would have no democratic existence –-- (that means) undemocratic trend,” she said, adding that “some local (so-called) intellectuals who live on selling their intellects obey them.”
She said the USA has been sheltering Bangabandhu’s convicted killer Rashed Chowdhury ignoring requests from Bangladesh on many occasions for deporting him.
Talking about the Article 70 of the Constitution that prevents floor crossing by an MP, the prime minister said this has created the scope for a government to complete its tenure in the country.
“Many people raise objections to Article 70. Those who raise this objection probably lack experience. But this article 70 has helped stability of the government in our country. As a result, the country has been able to witness development,” she said.
She said the Jukta Front government of 1954 did not survive due to floor crossing by elected representatives. Earlier the same game was played in 1946.
The PM said she believes and the people of the country also believe that the AL government has been able to change the fate of the people as it has been in power for 14 years in a row.
“Now the difference between villages and cities has reduced…..We are providing civic amenities to every village,” she said.
The premier raised a comparative scenario regarding the socio-economic development in many indicators between 2006 (at the fag-end of BNP-Jamaat regime) and 2022.
She said the per capita income rose to US$ 2,824 in 2022 from only US$ 543 in 2006, while the size of GDP to Tk 4600,000 crore from Tk 415,072 crore, the size of budget to Tk 678,064 crore from Tk 61,000 crore, the size of annual development programme to Tk 227,566 crore from Tk 21,500 crore, the reserve of foreign currencies to US$ 32.63 billion from US$ 0.74 billion, the export income to US$ 52.97 billion from US$ 10.05 billion, the remittance inflow to US$ 21.03 billion from US$ 4.8 billion, the allocation against the social safety sector to Tk 113,576 crore from Tk 2,505 crore, the life expectancy to 73 years from 59 years, the access to drinking water to 98.7 percent from 55 percent, the electricity generation to 25,227 megawatt from 3,882 megawatt, the beneficiary of electricity in the country to 100 percent from 28 percent, the literacy rate to 75.6 percent from 45 percent.
The PM said the economic growth was 5.40 percent in 2006 which rose to 7.50 percent in 2022, the inflation was at 10 percent in 2006 which came down to 5.5 percent in 2019 and 8.57 percent in 2022
She said the poverty rate declined to 20.5 percent in 2022 from 41.51 percent in 2006, the extreme poverty rate to 10 percent from 25.1 percent, the child mortality rate per thousand births to 21 persons from 84, the mother mortality rate per 100 thousand births to 161 from 370.
PM Hasina also highlighted the massive development of Bangladesh in the digital arena.
Bangladesh's sterling dev owes to sustained democracy: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the unprecedented development of Bangladesh has been possible due to unhindered democratic process since 2008.
“After being elected in 2008 election, there has been unhindered democratic process prevailing in the country. The development that is being witnessed right now has been possible for this,” she said.
The prime minister said this in a programme organised to distribute Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) to nine individuals and one institution in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country.
The programme to give away the highest civilian award was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that after 1975 the democracy of the country was halted several times.
“The democratic process could not continue smoothly and there was no sustainable democratic process. As a result Bangladesh could not advance at its desired level,” she said.
She also raised question regarding the way of thinking of the rulers of that time (after 1975).
The PM said that the sacrifices of martyrs who laid down their lives for the country’s independence can’t go in vain.
“… their blood and sacrifice can’t go in vain , we will not allow that, that is our promise and pledge,” she said.
ICDDRB Senior Director Dr Firdausi Qadri expressed her feelings from among the award winners.
Read more: PM Hasina hands over Independence Award among this year's winners
The premier urged all to work unitedly for establishing a developed and smart Bangladesh through implementing the long-term perspective plan that seeks to develop manpower skilled in science and technology.
“Bangladesh has witnessed desired development as the Awami League government has been working with a proper plan,” she said.
Describing great sacrifices required to achieve something great, she mentioned that the government is achieving successes one after another due to its sincere and well planned work for the cause of the country and its people.
Referring to various conspiracies against the country like false accusation of corruption in Padma Bridge construction, the PM said, Bangladesh would move ahead overcoming all such hurdles.
She mentioned her government’s success in building Padma Bridge with the country’s own fund which proved that “Bangladesh too can” and “none can suppress Bangladesh”
Hasina gave chronological history of country’s emergence as an independent state starting from the 1952 Language Movement to the War of liberation in 1971 under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Referring to the regimes of anti-liberation forces after 15th August tragedy in 1975, the PM said, democracy of the country was disrupted, while the illegal power grabbers distorted history of the victorious nation and the spirit of the War of Liberation.
Coming to power after long 21 years the Awami League began working to develop the country with the ideals and spirit of the independence war.
The prime minister noted that her government has been able to establish Bangladesh as a developing country in the golden jubilee year of independence in 2021.
Steps have also been taken to develop the children as skilled and efficient work force through science-and-technology-based education, she said, adding that the government is distributing free books, providing the students stipends and sub-stipends for their education.
The PM said that poverty rate in the country has already come down to 20 percent from over 40 percent.
“The nation would get a good news on further reduction of poverty soon as the collection of information and data is progressing.”
Pointing out the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war, Hasina said, her government is doing everything possible to mitigate the sufferings of the people even though the entire world is going through hardship.
Referring to her government’s Delta Plan-2100, the PM said it has been formulated to establish smart Bangladesh overcoming the adverse impact of the climate change so that the new generations can live with dignity.
Bangladesh may turn despotic like North Korea if opposition movement fails: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday warned that Bangladesh may turn into a tightly “regimented authoritarian” state like North Korea if their 10-point movement fails.
Speaking at a discussion, he also alleged that the Awami League government is completely destroying the main pillars of the state by introducing its own rules, regulations, and constitution.
“We’ve to make a decision whether we want to see the existence of Bangladesh and the restoration of democracy here. Otherwise, it’ll become a completely regimented authoritarian country like North Korea,” the BNP leader said.
He said the ongoing 10-point movement is only not an agitation of the BNP or any alliance. "This movement is a struggle for the survival of all 18 crore people of the country. So, let’s take to the streets to make it a success"
Fakhrul said their party’s 17 leaders and activists have already lost their lives in the movement that began on August 22 last year.
“Let's involve more people with our movement to establish a government and parliament of people through a credible election under a caretaker government and a neutral election commission by ousting the current regime,” he said urging the political parties.
The 12-party alliance arranged the discussion titled “The Importance and Necessity of the 27-Point Proposal in Building Future Bangladesh” at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Fakhrul alleged that a serious scandalous incident took place over the annual elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the government broke the election system of the apex court lawyers’ body.
“The lawyers of the apex court of the country are called officers of the court. Holding the annual election of those who work in that court or cooperate in the judicial system is a tradition and everyone respect it. But what happened yesterday (Wednesday) in that election is a most stigmatised and disgraceful incident for the nation and the judicial system of the country,” he observed.
He also said the untoward incident over the SCBA election has exposed there is no democracy and the rule of law in Bangladesh. “I also doubt whether there is any government in the country.”
The BNP leader said the SCBA polls had long been held in a fair and cordial atmosphere conducted by the lawyers. "But they (AL) broke this system yesterday (Wednesday). They also broke the election system of the Jatiya Press Club. It means that the Awami League whose only goal now is to completely break the main pillars of the state…they have already broken it. They have introduced their own rules, regulations, constitution.”
Fakhrul slammed the government for its plan to reduce the width of the Jamuna River to 6.5 kilometres from 15 kilometres.
“The Jamuna River has been flowing for thousands of years in our country. Rivers cause problems like floods and inundation…But how will you justify the idea of narrowing this river and a Tk12,000 crore project in this regard?” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is taking such a project as it has become completely shameless.
Fakhrul bemoaned that some intellectuals and professionals speak in support of the current governing system of Awami League and its president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “They extremely indulge in flattery. I feel bad thinking about for what type of country we had fought (in 1971). Now we scream that we did not want such a country.”
Read more: AL 'helping big power' make Bangladesh a subservient country: BNP
He said the freedom fighters liberated the country with an aim to establish democracy, ensure freedom of expression, equality, people’s dignity and their right to vote and the rule of law.
The BNP leader also said people are going through a very tough time due to the unusual hikes in all the essential commodities.
He said there are two things--terrorism and theft—in Awami League’s body chemistry. “They want to do everything by force and indulge in theft in every case.”
Fakhrul alleged that Information Minister Hasan Mahmud like Goebbels said BNP is trying to destroy stability and it is preparing for arson violence. “It’s you (AL) who have introduced arson violence in the country…It was you who brought the provisions of the caretaker government by enforcing hartals for 173 days along with the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jatiya Party.”
He recalled that the Awami League killed 11 people by setting a bus on fire with gunpowder in the capital during their hartal demanding the introduction of the caretaker government system. “People were beaten to death with oars and logs. They (AL) now say it (caretaker system) is not there in any civilised country.”
The BNP leader said a caretaker government system is necessary for Bangladesh as those who are now in power are not civilized. They have destroyed the electoral system."
Read more: ‘BNP will swallow the entire country if it returns to power’