Social media influencer Nahid Helal, popularly known as “NahidRains”, has responded to BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s allegations against him.

“I’m a law abiding citizen, why should I have to go to jail? I don’t burn or kill people,” Nahid said in a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, referring to reported involvement of BNP men in arson attacks during blockades ahead of the national election. 

Rizvi on Sunday claimed that Nahid is involved in deepfake videos on BNP leaders. 

In response, Nahid said this claim demonstrates that the BNP leader does not care about credibility and objectivity, and only intends to silence those who expose their lies.   

He also called Rizvi’s reference to BNP's IT department a “political stunt,” as he said, the same cell has been found spreading rumours and disinformation.

Nahid said that his contents are mostly focused on creating awareness against instigation of violence and arson attacks alongside identifying hate speech and exposing the alarming trend of militancy.

He also asked Rizvi to submit proof in support of his claim and asserted that such threats wont stop him as his work is based on research and is backed by strong evidence. 

“As I have seen very closely the agonies of dozens of victims of BNP sponsored arson attacks in the past, I remain committed and vocal towards creating awareness against similar plots… He (Rizvi) has been acting not on the basis of evidence but just making wild allegations,” Nahid said.

Nahid also recalled a number of past media reports on Rizvi leading a group of picketers in throwing brickbats at public vehicles, to enforce blockade.

“I would like to ask him if it is wrong to share verified media reports against him, while his accusation against me is based on no evidence,” he said. 

Ruling out Rizvi’s claim of Nahid having foreign support, the social media influencer said, “BNP rather holds a sordid record of counting on foreign powers.”

Pointing to an earlier protest issued against Rizvi by civil society members, Nahid pointed out, “Rizvi has even attacked human rights activists and academics… so I’m not surprised at his latest attack against me.”

Referring to BNP’s top leadership undermining the “crimes” of Tarique Rahman, Nahid said, “The same Rizvi was among BNP leaders who repeatedly tried to glorify their supreme leader Tarique who has been living in exile to evade justice for decades.”