We have to be united to realise our rights: Fakhrul
Mirza Fakhrul alleged that 3,500,000 BNP leaders and activists are now accused in more than 100,000 cases
BNP Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that national unity is the only way to realize the rights of all people, including journalists, politicians, and doctors.
"The current administration is not concerned with the welfare of its people. There is no freedom of the press, no independence of the judiciary, and the government is using law enforcement agencies to further its own interests. The nation is going through a crisis," said Fakhrul, while speaking as the chief guest at the biennial council-2020 of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) at the National Press Club auditorium on Saturday.
Complaining about the treatment meted out to BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Mirza Fakhrul said, "She is ill, but is not getting access to medical treatment."
Meanwhile, the people of the country have been deprived of the right to free expression and are afraid to express their views. On the other hand, politics has been completely depoliticised and controlled, he added.
Referring to the recent fire incident in the bus, he said, "The government is involved in the same games of the past. The BNP has no connection with the saboteurs. So, I urge you to find out who is behind this incident."
Mirza Fakhrul alleged that 3,500,000 BNP leaders and activists have been named in over 100,000 cases, over 600 leaders and activists have disappeared, thousands have been killed, and many are being tortured.
He said the only way to escape this oppression is to present a united front.
Acting President of BFUJ, Nurul Amin Rokon presided over the event.
Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Professor Mia Golam Parwar; senior journalist and Vice Chairman of BNP, Shawkat Mahmud; former President of Press Club, Kamal Uddin Sabuj; Secretary-General of BFUJ, M Abdullah; Dhaka Journalist Union and General Secretary, Shahidul Islam were present at the event, among others.
Meanwhile, the BNP organized a protest in front of the National Press Club against the arrest of leaders and activists in the Dhaka-18 and Sirajganj-1 by-elections on charges of "vote rigging" and sabotage.
BNP Joint Secretary General, Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohail presided over the event. Organising Secretary, Syed Imran Saleh Prince; Publicity Secretary, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie; Climate Affairs Secretary, Mostafizur Rahman Babul; Chhatra Dal Organising Secretary, Saif Mahmud Jewel and Mahanagar Uttar Swechchhasebak Dal President, Fakhrul Islam Robin were present among others.
