BNP on Monday denounced the High Court order asking the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove all statements, speeches and video content of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from social media platforms, saying it has nakedly manifested fascism.

"It is a verdict to fulfill the wishes of the Prime Minister. The two judges of the (HC) branch passed the order demonstrating their Awami spirit,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

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Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi, on behalf of the BNP, turned down the ‘unjust’ order of the apex court.  “I strongly condemn and protest this order. Such a court order is another naked manifestation of fascism.”

The BNP leader alleged that the government wants to eliminate democracy from Bangladesh by removing all speeches and videos containing the statements of Tarique Rahman from YouTube, Facebook and all social media and online platforms. “In this case, Sheikh Hasina is using the court while judges have done this work inspired by the spirit of Sheikh Hasina."

Earlier in the day, the High Court passed an order directing BTRC to remove all statements, speeches and video content of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from social media platforms.

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An HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order amid a chaotic scene as pro-BNP lawyers were loudly protesting the order.

Despite an application to the Chief Justice for a change of the bench to dispose of the rule, Rizvi said it was ignored and the bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order. “It’s a complete travesty of justice. It’s also a farce in the name of such an order.”

He said the people will not have any confidence in the judiciary under Sheikh Hasina’s government following this order of the High Court. “Such irrational and biased judgment of the court is unprecedented except in countries where there is no rule of law and fascism prevails.”

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The BNP leader accused the government of using the court to exert control over the opposition parties' politics, and also to suppress its opponents' voices.

“We heard it said, that court is the last resort of the people, of the weak and oppressed. But today we see the same courts functioning as the last bastion of Sheikh Hasina and Awami oppression,” he observed.