BNP finds govt’s ‘naked interference’ in all state organs

Dhaka, Jun 21 (UNB) – BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday accused the government of ‘nakedly’ interfering in all the state organs, including the judiciary and parliament.

“The government is not only nakedly interfering in the judiciary, but also in all other state organs, including the media. The Speaker of Parliament is also not playing a neutral role,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, “All the state organs—the judiciary, the executive branch and the legislative — are now in a sordid condition. There’s no state organ where there is no interference. Even, a naked intervention is being done on civil society.”

He said the civil society members now fear of speaking up as those raising voice are killed, made disappeared and repressed in many ways.

Nagorik Odhikar Andolon Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club demanding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s unconditional release.

Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said it is now clear to all that Khaleda Zia has been in jail unfairly as she has been subjected to political vengeance of the current ‘unelected’ government.

He said their party chairperson is not being given bail in bailable cases though the rest of the accused in those cases are out on bail. “What can be more serious interference than this? Many ministers often say they aren’t interfering in the judiciary. They say it repeatedly to protect them as they are doing it.”

The BNP leader bemoaned that people are losing their confidence in the judiciary as they are not getting justice. “Nothing can be a more serious problem in the country than the waning people’s confidence in judiciary. People get hurt and suffer from a sense of insecurity when the government interferes in the judiciary.”

Khosru, however, believes that Khaleda will be freed soon through the legal process as per the hopes and aspirations of people.

“The government has kept Khaleda Zia in jail by using court only to hang onto power. Khaleda’s release is now a demand of people. Democracy must be restored in the country through a fair election.”