BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday criticised India for displaying ‘poor taste’ by making an idol of the demon ‘Asur’ with the face of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus during Durga Puja celebrations.
“We have seen that in India, an idol of the demon ‘Asur’ was made resembling Dr Muhammad Yunus and a few other global figures during Durga Puja. This is an example of extremely poor taste, a clear reflection of bad cultural practice,” he said.
Rizvi made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath together with leaders of the Association of Engineers, Bangladesh at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
He said political leaders may criticise Prof Yunus in the country, but the fact remains that he has been serving as the Chief Adviser of the interim government with widespread support following the July–August mass uprising.
The BNP leader said India is known as a land of music and arts, and no one could have imagined it would show such a lack of cultural taste.
He said various attempts have been made to create communal unrest in Bangladesh, but patriotic people of all religions, including Hindus and Muslims, have united to resist such conspiracies, as they have understood where these threats are coming from.
“Hindus, Muslims, clerics, imams, muazzins, and madrasa students have all guarded the Puja mandaps together. This is our tradition of harmony,” the BNP leader observed.
He said people, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, have come together, and the Hindu community celebrated Durga Puja with great splendour and high spirits, carrying out their festival and foiling every conspiracy.
“Our leader Tarique Rahman has clearly said that we are bound by the ties of communal harmony. No one can divide us. Whatever happens in their country, we will not allow such darkness to descend here,” Rizvi said.
He also said if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi brings a medieval darkness to his country through religious extremism, Bangladesh cannot follow it. “Let them do whatever they want in their own country, but however much darkness they try to bring, they cannot impose it on us.”
On the upcoming national election, Rizvi said the people expect a free and fair vote in February. “The people are ready to vote. Those trying to create new issues to confuse the public will be exposed,” he warned.
He called upon the Election Commission to complete all necessary preparations for a fair election and expressed hope that the interim government led by Dr Yunus would ensure neutrality.
“The interim government must not lean towards any side. But we have seen that some supporters of a particular Islamist political party have been placed in key administrative positions. Such actions will not help a free and fair election,” Rizvi said.
No compromise with Awami League, reaffirms Rizvi
He urged the interim government to appoint neutral officials to conduct the election independently and ensure impartiality.
Rizvi also said Sheikh Hasina’s government had established one-party fascism by using the Election Commission, administration, and police. “But the people will not tolerate another phase of fascist rule,” he warned.
He also alleged that international and hegemonic powers are conspiring to weaken nationalist forces in Bangladesh. “The conspiracies have not stopped. A master plan is being carried out. But the people of Bangladesh have always upheld the flag of nationalism, dispelling all darkness.”