Senior Supreme Court lawyer and BNP Chairperson’s advisory council member Advocate Fazlur Rahman on Monday alleged that a quarter, both from within Bangladesh and abroad, is threatening to ‘slaughter’ him.
“The mobsters are threatening to kill me. They have gathered outside my rented house in Shegunbagicha...the people of Bangladesh should know that my life is in great danger,” he said.
Fazlur made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Law Reporters' Forum office in the Supreme Court's annex building, a day after receiving a show-cause notice from the BNP over his recent remarks about last year’s mass uprising.
Fazlur said he loves the country, the Liberation War and its people, especially the residents of his constituency in Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram, who, he claimed, have been deeply shaken by recent incidents involving him.
The lawyer explained that, as a citizen of Bangladesh, he has the constitutional right to live and urged the media to help ensure his safety.
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Asked who was behind the mob, Fazlur said he did not know. “They are just kids, and they’ve been there since 7am. I’ve heard they belong to a student organisation, but it’s not the student wing of my party.”
Fazlur said there were about 7 to 9 people who gathered in front of his house.
“They were shouting things like, 'Arrest Fazlu Pagla, don’t let Fazlu Pagla live, kill Fazlu Pagla,' and so on. These people are calling me ‘Fazlu Pagla,’ a name first given to me by Jamaat-e-Islami, the anti-liberation party. Now, some young people are repeating those words,” he observed.
The BNP leader said while it was fine for them to call him mad, he didn’t see himself that way. “After fighting in the Liberation War, being treated like this by the younger generation, who even want to kill me, is deeply upsetting.”
Asked if the BNP is supporting him in such a situation, Fazlur responded, “Of course, my party is with me.”
He claimed that his life and the safety of his family are now at risk. “My family is traumatised. We feel completely unsafe.”
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The BNP leader said anti-liberation forces, both inside and outside Bangladesh, particularly some YouTubers and journalists who support them, are behind the threats.
Fazlur claimed that two YouTubers from France even said he should be killed. “The other night, I saw a Jamaat-affiliated YouTuber saying that Fazlu Pagla should be slaughtered and killed.”
As a citizen of the country and a freedom fighter, Fazlur said he has the right to live. “I’m a freedom fighter, a citizen, a human being. I have the right to live. I urge the people of Bangladesh to stand with me.”
Despite the threats, Fazlur said, he would not file any police complaint or case. “I won’t go to the police or file any GD or case. If anyone thinks I’ve done something wrong, they can file a case against me. I will face the law, but I won’t take revenge or cause unrest.”
Asked about the BNP’s show-cause notice served to him the previous night, he said, “This is normal in politics. If the party feels something is wrong, it can ask for clarification. I will respond to the letter, but I will not speak about it now. I will answer the party directly.”
Fazlur also clarified that he still remains a member of the BNP and is serving as an adviser to the party chairperson. “I am still in the party. I will remain here until any decision is made officially.”
Regarding allegations that he has not accepted the events of the August 5 mass uprising, he said, “Let them say what they want. But if they think I’ve done anything wrong, they can take legal action or protest. However, threatening to kill me and creating a mob outside my home is not acceptable.”