BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday called upon people from all walks of life to extend their helping hands to those affected during the recent student-led mass movement.

Speaking virtually at a wheelchair distribution programme, he also said if BNP can form a government with public support, different institutions and establishments across the country will be named after the martyrs.

“I call upon every person in society to come forward to help the people affected by the movement according to their ability,” he said.

Amra BNP Poribar arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club to distribute wheelchairs among 10 people who were maimed during the recent student movement against Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime.

Tarique said a large number of people were affected in various ways over the 17 years of struggle at different stages for the restoration of the people's lost rights and democracy.

"The country has now been freed from autocracy. To achieve this, many people across Bangladesh, regardless of their political affiliation or opinions, were affected in numerous ways," he said.

The BNP leader said it is the responsibility of everyone to support the families of those who were martyred, as well as those who were injured or affected in various ways in the struggle to free the country from fascism.

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“They made these sacrifices for the country, so that those of us who remain alive can live in freedom. It is our duty, regardless of political identities or opinions, to offer our support to them and their families to the best of our ability,” Tarique said.

He also said if BNP returns to power, it will take all necessary steps to ensure better treatment for the injured and maimed individuals, provide rehabilitation, and support the families of the martyrs.
“If BNP forms the government, we will propose that various state institutions established across the country be named after the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to end autocracy. This will ensure that the names of these heroes are never forgotten,” Tarique said.

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He said BNP is also committed to helping all the maimed individuals, including the victims of the movement, across the country, with the goal of making them self-reliant rather than a burden on their families.

“Beyond the movement, there are many people in society who have become disabled, either by birth or due to other reasons. In the country’s economic context, if someone is disabled, it becomes a heavy burden on the family. Personally, my desire is to find ways to restore the health of these individuals,” the BNP leader said.

He also said when BNP forms the government in the future, it will have a specific goal to assist such families across the country, whether they are financially well-off or not. “We will aim to provide support from the state so that these maimed individuals can become as self-sufficient as possible.”

Tarique also called upon financially well-off individuals in the country to extend their cooperation in supporting these families.
“I believe that if we all extend our hands in cooperation, we can begin building the new Bangladesh we envision,” he concluded.

Speaking at the programme, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the current interim government was formed with the support of BNP and others who carried out movements to oust the Sheikh Hasina regime. “We’re still supporting this government.”

He, however, said the Chief Adviser’s remarks during an interview with an international media outlet about the tenure of the government for four years to carry out reforms were a matter of concern.

The BNP leader said politicians had led state reforms for ages and would carry out the necessary reforms, while the current government could make some suggestions.

He said the government might try to prolong its power in the name of reforms due to some complications or any evil plan. “It’s a matter of concern for us. The country’s people want to know why four years will be necessary for the reforms and the election.”