United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said the judges who abetted in establishing Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime in Bangladesh must face trial to prevent such abuse of the judiciary in the future. “The judiciary is one of the key elements that helped establish fascism. Justice Khairul Haque, Justice Enayetur Rahim, Justice Asaduzzaman and countless others are among those who contributed to the establishment of fascism,” he told a discussion. The Nationalist Research Foundation (NRF) organised the programme titled ‘60 lakh accused in false cases under fascism: How far the redress’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Rizvi said Justice Asaduzzaman unlawfully sentenced a patriotic leader like Khaleda Zia in a false case, while Justice Enayetur Rahim doubled her jail term. “Why won't those judges be punished? The judges of fascism must face trial. If their trial is ensured, no one in the future will dare to use the judiciary to carry out their evil intentions and impose undemocratic repression on the people,” he said. Drawing a comparison to post-World War II trials, Rizvi said at the Nuremberg Trials, those who served as judges in Hitler's court and sentenced millions of prisoners to death at his command without listening to any logic were brought to justice. “If they could be tried, then why can’t those who prolonged the fascism of Sheikh Hasina be tried now? Their trial must be ensured,” he said. Rizvi voices concern over corruption allegations against advisers The BNP leader urged the interim government to remain alert so that it does not get infected by the virus of the previous fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina. He said the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, has been running the country for the last eight months, as Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 last year in the face of a mass uprising. “The people expect the interim government to restore the free and fair elections that Sheikh Hasina tried to usurp and make invisible,” the BNP leader said. He questioned why the interim government is keeping people in uncertainty over the election. “Why is the election swinging like a pendulum between December and June? Make it clear to the people.” Delayed elections may jeopardise foreign investment prospects: Mustafizur Rahman Rizvi alleged that Sheikh Hasina's regime implicated around 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists in false cases to suppress the opposition and continue her authoritarian rule and plundering. “This was the manifestation of torture by the fascist regime.” Earlier, addressing the programme, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s adviser Mahadi Amin said there are countries in the world whose entire population is less than 60 lakh. “But in Bangladesh, 60 lakh BNP members are accused in various cases.” Rizvi echoed Mahadi’s sentiment by comparing the figure to Denmark’s population, saying, “Denmark has around 50 lakh people. Yet, here, we have more accused BNP members than the population of an entire country.” He also criticised the selective withdrawal of cases under the current government, noting that while Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has seen his legal troubles eased, cases against BNP leaders and activists remain unresolved. BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Nasir Uddin Ahmed Ashim presented the keynote paper at the programme, held with NRF Convener Syed Abdal Ahmed in the chair.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday questioned why the interim government has not acted against those, including Justice ABM Khairul Haque, ex-Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and KM Nurul Huda, who aided Sheikh Hasina in establishing fascism. “Why are those responsible for establishing fascism still at large? Why haven’t those who destroyed institutions and used their entrusted positions to serve Sheikh Hasina and entrench fascism been arrested yet?” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at an event organised by “Amra BNP Poribar” to provide financial assistance to the mother of Abdullah Bin Jahid, who was martyred during the July mass uprising, at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. Rizvi alleged that ABM Khairul Haque obstructed the continuity of democracy, paved the way for the rise of a tyrant like Sheikh Hasina and assisted in establishing a brutal fascist regime. BNP committed to restoring democracy, voting rights at any cost: Tarique “Why is Justice Khairul Haque still at large? Why is he still beyond reach?” he asked. The BNP leader alleged that Justice Khairul Haque, in collusion with both domestic and foreign anti-democratic conspirators, abolished the non-partisan caretaker government and enabled Sheikh Hasina to retain power without elections. He also said Khairul Haque is primarily responsible for the deaths of numerous young people and adolescents, including Abu Sayed, Mir Mugdho, and Jahid, who were gunned down by the law enforcement agencies of Hasina's fascist regime, as he paved the way for the rise of such fascism. Rizvi said Khairul Haque revoked the caretaker government system for his own benefit, as he later became the chairman of the Law Commission and took Tk10 lakh from the Prime Minister's fund for his treatment. He also questioned why former Chief Election Commissioners Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and KM Nurul Huda have not been arrested, despite having aided a bloodthirsty leader like Sheikh Hasina, who did not hesitate to shoot and kill children to stay in power AL being rehabilitated under Yunus-led government: BNP's Ripon “They (Rakib-Huda) destroyed the electoral system and democracy. Why can they still remain out of touch. This is big question of people,” the BNP leader said. He also expressed disappointment that no action has been taken against the judges who wrongfully sentenced BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in false cases. “It is a pity that no action has been taken against those who killed democracy and strengthened Sheikh Hasina’s hand in establishing fascism. If the government has even the slightest respect for the blood of the martyrs, there is no reason for these individuals to remain untouched,” the BNP leader said. He said it is the responsibility of the interim government to arrest the killers of democracy, regardless of where they are now, stressing that the people expect to see such an initiative from the government. Rizvi also expressed frustration that the government has not yet taken steps to withdraw the false cases against 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists, despite some cases against advisers being dropped. He praised Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin for his commitment that the Election Commission will not wait for reform suggestions from the National Consensus Commission, but will proceed with election preparations using the powers currently available to it. People waiting for election by December: Khosru The BNP leader said elections should not be delayed for the completion of reforms, as state overhauling is a contentious process. “So, the CEC’s remarks are positive… we are reassured about the election from his statement,” he said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday expressed concern that centrist politics might be faced with a crisis amid discussions on whether local or parliamentary elections should be held first. "Those who are making such statements or being made to say them raise concerns about the future of centrist politics," he said. He made these remarks while addressing a prayer gathering organized by BNP on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat at the party's Nayapaltan office on Friday, February 14. "Dr. Yunus is an internationally renowned figure who has also been persecuted by Sheikh Hasina. He will act justly, and under his leadership, the interim government will make the right decisions and foster democratic political forces," Rizvi said. Abbas calls out Jamaat's delaying tactics over next national election He added, "Time and again, the people of this country have been deprived of their rights. The people will decide who will run the country and which politicians will come to power. The ongoing struggle is to restore these rights to the people." The BNP leader stressed, "A free and fair election must be held where everyone can participate, and voters can go to the polling stations without fear to vote for their preferred candidates. Ensuring this will be a major responsibility of the interim government." "BNP has always maintained that parliamentary elections are of national importance, as they determine which politicians will wield power. The source of power is the people. Returning that power to the people will strengthen democratic forces and facilitate other elections. This is the essence of depoliticization," he said. Rizvi warned, "Distrusting politicians means depoliticization. Continuous efforts to depoliticize the country have shattered democracy, paving the way for fascism. Weakening political forces may lead to the rise of extremism. Extremism does not only stem from the left; it can emerge from the right as well. This must be kept in mind." BNP leaders present at the event included Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal, Rangpur Division's Joint Organizing Secretary Prof. Aminul Islam, and Joint Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim Shaheen.