Strongly denouncing the wave of violent attacks at different parts of the the country, including those targeting media houses, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night alleged that a long-identified vested quarter is deliberately trying to push Bangladesh into chaos to establish 'a new form of fascism'.
Speaking at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also condemned the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and urged the pace-loving political and social forces to unite to foil all attempts to obstruct the democratic transition.
“Inquilab Moncho Chief Sharif Osman Hadi died prematurely while undergoing medical treatment in Singapore. We strongly condemn and express our deep abhorrence over this cowardly killing. We once again demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and that they be brought to justice without delay,” Fakhrul said.
Following this tragic death, Fakhrul said, a group of unruly people carried out arson attacks late last night on the offices of several newspapers, including Prothom Alo and the English daily The Daily Star.
The BNP leader said these attacks seriously endangered the lives of journalists who were on duty at the two newspaper offices.
He also said an attack was carried out on Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age and president of the Editors’ Council, describing him as a prominent and courageous journalist involved in the anti-fascist July movement and other democratic movements in the country.
Besides, Fakhrul said, various cultural institutions, including Chhayanaut, were also attacked.
“We strongly condemn and express our deep hatred for these heinous acts. These incidents prove that a long-identified vested quarter wants to push the country towards anarchy in a planned manner. They are trying to create a new form of fascism by destroying our voting and democratic rights earned through immense bloodshed,” he said.
Fakhrul lamented that these activities are being carried out openly, right under the nose of the government.
“People also believe that the government’s role has not been satisfactory. As a result, the country’s image abroad is being damaged,” he said.
The BNP leader said almost all political parties have protested against Hadi’s killing and are putting pressure on the government to arrest the killers and ensure justice.
“In this situation, we believe that these disgraceful attacks are part of a conspiracy to create uncertainty around the upcoming national election and to obstruct the process of democratic transition,” Fakhrul said.
On behalf of the peace-loving people of the country, he said BNP wants to warn those despicable conspirators that it will not allow anyone to destroy the country won at the cost of so much blood.
The BNP leader urged all democratic, political and social forces to remain united against anarchy created by vested quarter.
“This evil force must be resisted through unity. There is no alternative now but for all political and social forces opposed to chaos to unite in order to resist this conspiracy. Through such unity, we ensured the fall of fascism and secured an interim government and a national election. In continuation of that struggle, we once again call upon all patriotic forces to unite,” he said.
Fakhrul cited a series of violent incidents following Hadi’s death, including attacks on the Indian High Commission office and its staff residences in Khulna and Chattogram, arson and vandalism at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices in Dhaka and Rajshahi, vandalism and arson at Dhanmondi 32, the Chhayanaut office and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, the destruction of shops in Uttara, attacks on the house of an Awami League leader, the killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh over allegations of religious desecration, vandalism and arson at the residence of late Chattogram mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury and the house of former minister Bir Bahadur, and the attack on New Age Editor Nurul Kabir.
Hadi, a prospective candidate for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election from the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan, Dhaka.
He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he passed away on Thursday night.