Bangladesh now 'one-party state' in disguise: BNP
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that 'one-party' rule has been established in the country with a false sense of democracy.
"Those who can't tolerate dissents should not speak of democracy. They should directly state that they believe in one-party rule. But, taking a guise and cheating the people, they made Bangladesh a one-party state," he said.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general made the observations speaking at a condolence meeting on poet Al Mahmud in the capital's National Press Club.
At the programme organised by the BNP's cultural wing Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS), Mirza Fakhrul highlighted how renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy's talk was stopped during her recent visit to Bangladesh.
"Arundhati Roy visited Dhaka recently. But her public speaking, Dhaka Talk, was stopped just before the event. The organisers changed the venue. Despite shifting of the venue, there was an attempt to stop it. So, those who can't tolerate even the slightest of difference of opinion should not speak about democracy," he said.
The BNP leader also said, the Awami League government has snatched the people's rights and sent poets, litterateurs, artists and journalists to jail. "If anyone shows any dissent, s/he has to undergo torture," he alleged.
Pointing at the BNP leaders and activists, Mirza Fakhrul said they were passing tough times. "If we all believe we will be able to overcome this anarchy we can do it. We have to create a feel that we will overcome," he told the audience.
Mirza Fakhrul alleged that the government did not show any respect to poet Al Mahmud as it did not allow his body to be taken to the premises of Central Shaheed Minar.
UNB adds: The opposition BNP alleged that Bangladesh has turned into a failed state as the government sold out itself to the super powers of the globe.
"This government has been staying in power illegally since it is not elected with people's vote. They have already turned Bangladesh into a failed state," said BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a token hunger strike programme he further said this government is working with a motive to build Bangladesh a subservient country dependent on others.
"They (AL govt) have already been sold it out to super powers. They and their leaders are working as service providers of the super powers," he said.
BNP Nababganj and Dohar upazila units observed one-hour token hunger strike from 1pm to 2pm on the ground floor of BNP's Nayapaltan central office.