Mirza Fakhrul Wants Mob Outfits Eliminated With Iron Hands

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that mob violence since August 2024 has threatened and strangulated people's independence to express their views and opinions uninterruptedly. He called upon the interim government and the law and order forces to dissolve mob outfits with iron hands so that no further mob attacks take place in any part of Bangladesh from now on. Mob gangs are also a huge impediment for the prevalence of democracy and equal rights in Bangladesh, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir further said.

The BNP Secretary General laid strong emphasis on the practice of tolerating political opponents' ideologies and observations. Democracy and rule of law cannot continue to exist smoothly in the middle of circumstances where narrow and vindictive political exercises grip political turfs, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir commented. Beating up political dissidents and launching attacks on properties belonging to parties believing in opposite political visions cannot be supported at all.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the above remarks while addressing a book launching program in Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan 2 on Wednesday afternoon. A documentary on the July Uprising was also screened during the program. The book which was unwrapped at the event was based on the role of BNP in July Upheaval 2024. Mirza Fakhrul Islam asserted that one can disagree with other people over certain issues but the opinions and beliefs of political competitors must be facilitated to be expressed freely which is one of the basic prerequisites of democracy.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stressed restructuring the state organs which were polluted during the immediate past regime. Bangladesh might become a dysfunctional country if sustainable economic growth and egalitarian political ambiences cannot be built up, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the audiences.

The BNP Secretary General said that winning or losing elections is not the end word. Rather ensuring good governance, rule of law, socioeconomic justice and eliminating discrimination are far more essential than coming off victorious in polls, he added. Full independence of judicial service and electoral machineries is vital for prosperity, peace and harmony, Mirza Fakhrul affirmed.

According to Mirza Fakhrul, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is a role model in terms of methodical leadership, dedication for democracy and honour for people's choice. The BNP Secretary General stated that Begum Khaleda Zia suffered immensely for restoring democracy in Bangladesh and she also was inside jail for six years but still she did not give up her firm determination to retrieve democratic principles on which the country's self-sufficiency, advancement and affluence are embedded.

Mirza Fakhrul recalled that right after 5 August 2024 Begum Khaleda Zia said "No vengeance. No retaliation. Let us pack hands for making a beautiful country with strong democratic foundations."Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir admired Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman too who, according to the BNP Secretary General, had to undergo inhuman torture and despite living overseas, Tarique Rahman guided his party's members and always held high people's spirits during the turbulent days in the wake of August 2024 regime change.

The BNP Secretary General urged everyone to work together hand in hand before and after elections to pull out Bangladesh from economic woes and political debris without fail. Mirza Fakhrul expressed disappointment over the shattered rule of law all over Bangladesh for last more than one year.

Mirza Fakhrul commented that certain quarters are playing vile tricks to downgrade the significance of the verdict on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which was issued by the International Crimes Tribunal, Dhaka a couple of days ago. Mirza Fakhrul paid honour to the martyrs of the July Revolution and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the wounded demonstrators who put their lives at stake while the July turmoil was going on.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir clarified that BNP has always been a liberal democratic front. BNP wants divides between different political parties to dissolve forever, he further said. In Mirza Fakhrul's own words "We are liberal democrats. We want to engage people from all walks of life for the betterment of Bangladesh and to open up doors to a rainbow state and this is our motto."

The program was presided over by BNP standing committee members Abdul Moin Khan, Selima Rahman, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, National People's Party Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Jubo Dal leader Abdul Monayem Munna and some other eminent political figures, media professionals and academic scholars.