Dhaka-The BNP yesterday urged India not to back or assist any illegal government or force that oppresses people in Bangladesh.Being the world’s largest democracy, BNP on Monday urged Indian government not to support or assist any illegal force or regime which has imposed its rule on people without their mandate.
“India is not only a neighbor but a true friend and our ties with them are very important. We do hope that it will stay beside the people of Bangladesh…It won’t back or support any oppressing force in the country,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while addressing a protest rally at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
He also hoped that being a largest democratic country India would take a position in support of democracy-loving people for ‘restoration’ of democracy in Bangladesh.
His comments came a day after India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed satisfaction over the Bangladesh’s government measure over its steps against militancy. She also said that the Indian government would provide full support to the Sheikh Hasina’s government in its drive against militants.
The BNP leader opposed the comments of the Indian External Affairs Minister that Bangladesh government has taken the right step to curb militancy and said the government has failed to curb militancy and extremism in the country.
The city unit of BNP organized the rally protesting the mass arrest of common people including opposition opposition leaders and activists in the name of a police crackdown against militants and extremists.
Alamgir reiterated that recent wholesale arrests conducted by the law enforcers are nothing but to divert people’s attention from the government’s failure to curb targeted killings.
He said about 14, 000 people were arrested during the crackdown, of them only 179 are claimed to be militants. So, it is clearly evident that the government has conducted the “wholesale arrests” against opposition party men, he alleged.
“The government succeeded in terms of carrying out repression on opposition efficiently. It took stance against the people,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government has destroyed the total election procedure by holding each election after the January 5 lopsided polls.
He said the Awami League has long been hanging onto power through holding a lopsided election which neither the country’s people and nor the global community have accepted.
“So, it’s the natural expectation of the country’s people that all democratic countries will take position in favour democracy and those who are on a movement for its restoration,” he said.
He said there is no congenial atmosphere for investment and countries businessmen are investing abroad.
Alamgir put emphasis the need for carrying put movement against the present government saying that there is no alternative to carryout against the government.
Standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, who presided over the rally, said no democratic country, except India, accepted the current government and the January-5 election.
“If India thinks it has a good and friendly relation with Bangladesh by only maintaining relation with Awami League or its president Sheikh Hasina, it’s their wrong perception. The friendship will have to be between India and Bangladesh, and among the people of the two countries based on mutual respect,” he said.
The rally also also addressed, among others, by Abdullah Al Noman, Ulema Dal president Hafez MA Malek and Khairul Kabir Khokan.-STAFF REPORTER
