"The government is using state machinery to snatch and attack the constitutional rights of people — to protest against injustice and to express their views. The Digital Security Act is the worst of all laws formulated to curb freedom of expression,” he said.

Fakhrul made remarks at a press conference on Sunday at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office referring to the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in prison.

Through the Digital Security Act, he said, the government has become an utterly ‘dictatorial’ one.

“The government is now in no way willing to respect the minimum constitutional rights of the people. We strongly condemn and protest such an attitude,” the BNP leader said.

He hoped that the government would refrain from abusing the act and give people a chance to exercise their democratic and constitutional rights.

Fakhrul strongly condemned and protested against obstruction to Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s (JCD’s) demonstration programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club and attack on the opposition activists by police.

He alleged that police attacked JCD’s peaceful programme and charged batons and fired tear shells and rubber bullets on the protesters, leaving over a 100 student leaders injured. “Many of them are now receiving treatment at different hospitals while some of them are in critical condition.”

Fakhrul said this attack exposed once again that the government is reluctant to give people any scope for exercising their fundamental rights, including freedom of expression. “They’ve snatched the democratic rights of people.”

Mirza Fakhrul was scheduled to address JCD’s programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club as the chief guest on Sunday. He went to the press club premises around 11:30am, but police foiled the programme that triggered a series of clashes with JCD activists.

Also read: JCD activists clash with police in city; over 40 injured    

Also read: Writer Mushtaq, arrested under DSA, dies in custody     

Also read: Digital Security Act govt's weapon to cling to power: BNP