BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said India would receive no international support if it interfered in Bangladesh's internal affairs over ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had been convicted of crimes against humanity.
“Hasina did not find refuge in other countries but was given shelter by a particular country. If that country directly or indirectly interferes in Bangladesh's internal affairs through various incidents, it will not receive international support,” he said.
Rizvi also said the people of Bangladesh would also resist any such interference and thwart conspiracies.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office in the afternoon.
Commenting on the recent activities of Awami League, whose activities are banned, the BNP leader said it was following an old tactic of exploiting a chaotic situation for political gains. “They are trying to instil fear and panic among people through terrorism and anarchy to reap political benefits. I think they are living in a fool's paradise,” he said.
He said the constitutional guarantee of access to legal remedies was a fundamental right of citizens, but argued that those who had committed crimes against humanity could not claim such rights in the same manner.
Rizvi alleged that bloodshed and killings had been central to the AL's political agenda and culture, and that the party was now trying to return through the same approach.
He, however, said peace-loving people committed to democracy would not allow it.
On the law-and-order situation, the BNP leader said it was gradually improving, although some setbacks had occurred.
He alleged that associates of the ousted regime were deliberately trying to undermine law and order through bomb attacks and arson attacks on buses and vehicles.
Rizvi argued that there was no deterioration in the country's social order. “Rather, a defeated political force is deliberately trying to create an artificial impression of insecurity and social disorder.”
He also criticised what he described as the renewed assertiveness of some people associated with the previous regime.
The BNP leader said they were now speaking loudly on television talk shows despite remaining silent when innocent children, teenagers and students of universities, colleges and schools were being killed indiscriminately.
He said the government should look into such matters. “We believe in freedom of expression for everyone. But can robbers and terrorists also claim freedom of expression?” he asked.