BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged the government is destroying the readymade garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh as part of a plot to shift the business to another country. Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he also slammed the government for letting loose law enforcers in suppressing a justified movement of the RMG workers and killing four labourers. BNP-Jamaat conducting arson attacks in the name of blockade: Hasan Mahmud "The government is very cleverly implementing a blue-print of destroying the garment industry, the country’s largest sector for earning foreign currency. She (Sheikh Hasina) wants to create famine again like in 1974, and wants to destroy the country's economy,” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that 150 garment factories were indefinitely shut on Saturday by the owners at the instigation of the government. The BNP leader bemoaned that police who attacked the RMG workers filed cases accusing 11,000 RMG workers of staging demonstrations for their justified demands. Govt can’t be ousted thru secret attacks: PM Hasina "People believe that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants a guarantee to stay in power illegally by shifting the RMG business to another country,” Rizvi said. He said not only the political leaders and workers of the opposition parties but also the professional garment workers are not safe in the hands of the current fascist regime.  “Four garment workers have so far been killed by the police.” The BNP leader said the government has again started indulging in enforced disappearance by using the plainclothes police to suppress the opposition’s ongoing movement. Islami Andolon to bring out protest procession towards EC on polls schedule announcement day He said the members of the Detective Branch of police are moving around like 'Nazi forces' in microbuses covered with black glass and picking up the pro-democratic forces. “Even ordinary people are not spared. They in the name of RAB-Police are also picking up the relatives, including parents, sons, children, brothers and sisters, of the democratic forces, and making them disappear.” Rizvi called upon the law enforcers not to be opponents of the people who are carrying out a spontaneous movement to get back the right to vote. He claimed that more than 365 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm on Sunday. The BNP leader claimed over 10,770 opposition leaders and followers have been arrested centring BNP’s Oct 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockade programmes.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday warned that the country’s people would foil the Awami League government’s move to hold another 'one-sided' election by using all their strengths. Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he also hinted that they would continue to enforce the blockade programme across the country for a long time. "The Awami League has put the security of the entire nation at stake only to stay in power as it is heading for another one-sided election. But the deprived, distressed and oppressed people will not allow a one-sided election by employing their all strengths,” the BNP leader said. Our main goal is to hold fair and neutral vote: PM Hasina He said that the Awami government is taking the country to an uncertain destination by destroying the economy and politics. The BNP leader said that the government adopted a serious suppressive policy to foil the opposition’s ‘peaceful’ blockade programme with the help of law enforcers. “They arrested many opposition leaders and activists arbitrarily...this blockade programme is meant for a free, fair and credible election. But Gestapo forces consisting of RAB-Police, BGB and Awami organisations are "violently behaving with the people.” Rizvi said that over 365 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in the last 24 hours as of 4:30 pm on Thursday while 9,831 opposition leaders and workers had been arrested since the party’s October 28 grand rally. Tangail BNP leader Farhad Iqbal arrested He also said that the people would continue the blockade by creating human walls on roads and highways against the reckless Awami League government’s misdeeds. “The blockade will continue until our one-point demand--getting relief from Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian and dictatorial rule--is met. The blockade will continue until democracy is restored." Rizvi also said the blockade will continue to press home their demand for the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and sending her abroad for better treatment and the release of the party leaders and activists, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The BNP leader said the ruling party is exposing its terrible form of fascism with their comments on top opposition leaders and even on foreign diplomats. Two Swechchhasebak Dal activists arrested while preparing for arson violence in Moghbazar: Police He said a ruling party leader threatened to physically abuse an ambassador while other senior leaders were continuously making ugly and terrible statements. The BNP leader also deplored that the ruling party leaders have become so desperate that they are making unguarded comments against the United Nations, human rights groups, different individuals and institutions.  He also said the Awami League has turned Bangladesh into a 'rogue' state by using law enforcers to carry out serious repressive acts.

BNP has alleged that its leaders and workers in jails are facing a humanitarian crisis as the prison wards are already overcrowded, filled with over four times their usual capacity thanks to ongoing wholesale arrest. Speaking at a virtual press briefing on Monday, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also said the government is concocting 'stories of arson violence' against the BNP to blemish its 'peaceful' movement and to arrest more opposition leaders and workers.  “The prisons are witnessing a humanitarian disaster. Lawyers and relatives are unable to know where the leaders and workers sent to Keraniganj jail are being taken away. The leaders and workers have been kept in heavily packed wards of each building inside the prison,” he said. BNP postpones usual programme to mark Nov 7 The BNP leader said 40/50 prisoners are being kept in each ward, which cannot even accommodate more than 10/15 inmates. “Even, the imprisoned BNP leaders and workers are not allowed to go out their wards both during the day and night,” he said. Rizvi also alleged that the jailed opposition leaders and workers are being subjected to repression due to the political vendetta of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also said more than 275 BNP leaders and activists were arrested across the country in the last 24 hours as of 4:30 pm Monday while nine more fresh cases were filed accusing 995 opposition followers. BNP, like-minded parties to enforce 48-hour fresh blockade from Wednesday The BNP leader claimed that law enforcers are daily raiding the houses of opposition leaders and workers to arrest them. Besides, he alleged that the government started a game of torching vehicles to put the blame on the BNP and thus suppress the ongoing movement for the restoration of people’s voting rights. “There’re countless proofs of which are now in the hands of people.” He said there is a video showing those who set fire to the bus running into the Awami League office. “Such scenes are seen every day in various incidents. The story of arson attacks against BNP is being cooked up and propagated only to tarnish the peaceful movement for democratic rights.” BNP’s like-minded parties announce fresh 48-hour blockade from Wednesday He said camera persons of some pro-government TV stations remain present where vehicles are torched. “It’s an indication to easily understand that arson attacks are part of a master plan.” Rizvi, however, urged the party leaders and workers to take to the streets peacefully during their blockade programme without responding to any provocation.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged the country is witnessing 'a storm of arrests' of opposition leaders and activists as the government wants to stage a mockery in the name of election. Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he said they will come up with more action programmes after their ongoing 48-hour blockade to force the government to quit and hold the next polls under a non-party neutral administration. Rizvi, however, urged the BNP leaders and workers to remain alert as the government may carry out different untoward incidents to shift the blame onto the opposition. “A storm of arrests is going on all over the country. You (govt) are not sparing anyone from the national level to the grassroots in that arrest drive. Those who are in power behaving like terrible robbers,” he said. BNP leader Mirza Abbas sent to jail again; Court fixes Nov 8 for self-defence statement Besides, the BNP leader said law enforcers are arresting BNP leaders and activists and releasing some of them in exchange for money. “They’re also not releasing someone even after taking money.” He slammed Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for mocking BNP leaders for going into hiding and holding virtual press briefings.  “Obaidul Quader asks with laughter, where are the BNP leaders? He (Quader) said we hold briefings from the cave…Tikka Khan (military commander in East Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War) used to make such comments after carrying out a ruthless military crackdown and Operation Searchlight,” Rizvi said. He said the people of Bangladesh could not protest publicly against the brutality of Pakistani occupation forces as they had to move from their homes, and villages and cross the borders of the country. “At that time, Tikka Khan and Niazi said exactly the same thing… they called the freedom fighters miscreants. Obaidul Quader is now using exactly the same language,” the BNP leader observed. Hasan Mahmud likens BNP to IS, Taliban Rizvi said the same situation that prevailed in 1971 is now prevailing in Bangladesh because of the government’s suppressive acts. He also said Obaidul Quader is now following the role of Tikka Khan and Niazi and shedding the blood of people as part of a process of eliminating opposition parties and BNP from Bangladesh. "They (govt) will stage a mockery in the name of an election in a quiet atmosphere and the Chief Election Commissioner will announce the names of the winning candidates according to the list of Sheikh Hasina," the BNP leader said. He also said the rule of law can not be established in a country where the police themselves are throwing cocktails from riot cars. “How can the police be considered as a friend of the people in this country…they (police) are working as musclemen of Sheikh Hasina making people their enemies," Rizvi alleged. 2 candidates boycott Laxmipur-3 by-poll alleging irregularities In such circumstances, Rizvi called upon the BNP leaders and workers to remain alert in observing their political programmes: “The government may try to sabotage in various ways and put the blame on the leaders and workers of BNP.” He said more than 261 BNP leaders and activists were arrested across the country in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm Saturday. Besides, nine fresh cases were filed accusing 1,060 people during the same period. He also claimed that 5,284 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in 122 fresh cases while 3,498 opposition leaders and followers were injured and nine others and a journalist were killed in different incidents of clashes and attacks centring BNP’s October 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockades.

Law enforcers in plain clothes allegedly detained BNP joint secretary general Mujibur Rahman Sarwar early Friday, said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The BNP leader said Detective Branch (DB) picked him up from a house in Mohammadpur area of the capital around 3:30am. Islami Andolan Bangladesh rally underway in Dhaka Quoting family members, Rizvi said, "Mujibur Rahman Sarwar was picked up late at night by law enforcers in plainclothes.” The BNP leader condemned the arrest of Sarwar. BNP-led forces must be resisted and defeated: Quader However, Chief of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch Additional Commissioner Harun-Or-Rashid could not be reached for a comment in this matter. A former MP, Mujibur Rahman, also served as mayor of Barishal City Corporation. BNP leader Amir Khasru detained Earlier on Friday, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and media cell convener Zahir Uddin Swapan were picked up from Gulshan at around 12:30am.

Ashraful Alom, popularly known as “Hero Alom”, on Saturday (August 5, 2023) took to social media to condemn BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s comments on his “education.” In a video, BNP leader Rizvi is heard saying: “A crazy and half-educated person like Hero Alom is contesting elections these days.” Hero Alom published a video on his social media account, criticizing Rizvi’s comments. Also read: Man arrested for making death threat to Hero Alom The social media content creator said: “I do not want to speak against anyone. But this is very sad. I have seen the video of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi calling me crazy. He has also questioned my educational qualifications.” “I have the right to contest in elections. Nowhere in the law does it say that you have to have certain educational qualifications or that you have to look good.” Referring to the BNP leader’s comment on his education, Hero Alom said, “I have been called uneducated… You will find an option to write ‘self-taught’ on the nomination paper.” Also read: Karwanbazar pick-up owners’ association president arrested over attack on Hero Alom: Police “By calling me uneducated, you’re also calling yourself uneducated. Because, the leader of your party, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaled Zia, completed education up to class 8. I have studied up to class 7,” he added. Hero Alom also criticized BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his comments that, according to him, was belittling. He said, “Mirza Fakhrul has said ‘people like Hero Alom’ also contests elections, which is belittling. His words imply that I can be ridiculed.” “Many Awami League leaders, Jatiya Party leaders, politicians, and intellectuals talk about me in a derogatory way as well,” he added. Hero Alom urged politicians not to demean him. Also read: Amnesty International condemns attack on Hero Alom Hero Alom has recently been in focus of political discussion after being assaulted while leaving a polling station in the Banani area during the Dhaka-17 by-election last month. He contested in the election as an independent candidate. The physical assault on Hero Alom was strongly condemned by political parties as well as diplomats station in Dhaka, and human rights organizations.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who was arrested during an operation at the party’s Naya Paltan office on December 7,has been shown arrested in three separate cases. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazal Hossain passed the order on Thursday following a petition submitted by police to show Rizvi arrested in separate cases filed at Shahbagh , Ramna and Paltan police station. According to the complaint, Aynal, a garbage truck driver of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) filed a case at Paltan police station alleging  that around 250 people led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rizvi vandalized vehicles at Kakrail Bijaynagar area in the capital on September 12, 2012. A charge sheet against nine people including Fakhrul and Rizvi was submitted in this regard on October 23, 2017. The court has fixed March 29, 2023 to hear the case. Besides, Rizvi was shown arrested in a sabotage case filed at Paltan police station in 2013, and at Badda police station in 2015. All three cases are under trial at the moment. Read more: Arrest warrants issued against BNP's Rizvi, Ishraque On December 7, police fired teargas and charged with batons during a clash with BNP activists at Nayapalton, leaving a man dead and 50 others injured. Police arrested BNP leaders Rizvi , Annie, Shimul Biswash, Aman Ullah and several others from the Nayapaltan area during the operation. Police filed four cases at Ramna, Shahjahanpur, Motijheel and Paltan police stations against 720 BNP activists and over 2400 unnamed people in connection with the clash with BNP activists. Read more: Eminent citizens protest Rizvi’s statement against Sultana Kamal On December 8, a Dhaka court sent 445 BNP leaders, activists including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and BNP Publication Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie to jail in two cases filed over the clash.

BNP on Monday warned that the country is going to face an acute crisis due to shortage of food and soaring prices of daily essentials. “The entire nation is passing their days amid serious anxiety. Bangladesh will plunge into serious crisis,” said BNP senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office he also expressed concern that Bangladesh is moving towards ‘bankruptcy’. Also read:  Bangladesh on verge of collapse like Sri Lanka: Fakhrul “The situation in Bangladesh can be more critical than in Sri Lanka. The people of the country won’t even find peace by crying silently amid a dire economic situation,” the BNP leader said. He also said the condition of the people in the country is miserable as the prices of daily necessities are going up very quickly. “Wheat can’t be imported as the major countries have stopped its export. It will be impossible for ordinary people to buy flour after some days amid the abnormal rise in rice prices and the disappearance of soybean oil,” Rizvi said. He slammed the government for what he said its failure to stop the price hikes in daily essentials due to the foul play of business syndicates. Also read: Publish the list of Money launderers, BNP asks govt “Bangladesh is in a deep crisis of all kinds of food products. The paddy fields in a large area of Bangladesh have gone under water caused by onrush of water from the upstream and the damage of different dams, leaving farmers in a miserable situation,” the BNP leader observed.

Nearly one and a half years after the formation of its partial committee, a full-fledged 352-member committee of BNP’s voluntary wing Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal was announced on Wednesday. BNP high-command approved the full committee, said a party press release signed by its senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The approved  committee includes 29 vice-presidents, 21 joint secretaries, 34 assistant general secretaries, 63 assistant organizational secretaries and various other secretaries and 102 members. Mostafizur Rahman was made the president while Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel general secretary, Golam Sarwar  No-1 vice president, Saiful Islam Firoz No-1 joint secretary, Yasin Ali organising secretary and Rafiqul Islam office secretary. Bithika Binte Hossain, the wife of late Swechchasebak Dal President Shafiul Bari Babu, was included in the committee as the honourary member. READ: Govt let loose police against BNP, alleges Rizvi On September 19, 2020, BNP announced a 149-member partial committee of the Swechchasebak Dal, making Mostafizur Rahman its acting president and Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel general secretary. Earlier on October 27, 2016, the party formed a partial committee of the Swechchasebak Dal appointing Shafiul Bari Babu its president. Babu died at a hospital in the capital on July 28, 2020 at the age of 51.

BNP on Sunday alleged that the government has formed a ‘private’ Awami body in the name of a search committee. “We previously said only those who wear the ‘Mujib Coat’ being inspired by the spirit of Awami Baksal would be there in the search committee…the newly formed search committee is the absolute reflection of that assumption,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said, "I think it’s justified to call it an ‘Awami private committee, not a search committee. This committee and those who will be found out by them for the Election Commission are all the passengers of the same boat. They’re birds of a feather.” The BNP leader also said all the names that would be proposed by the search committee would be members of the Awami family. Also read: ‘It’s like Baksal one’, BNP about EC law Rizvi said the intended goal of the search committee will be finding out the tested and genuine Awami family members to hold another ‘stage-managed’ election as per a government blueprint.  On Saturday, a six-member search committee, led by Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hassan, was formed to suggest the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners. The other members of the committee are High Court Division Justice SM Kuddus Zaman, the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Md Muslim Chowdhury, Chairman of the Public Service Commission Md Sohrab Hossain, former election commissioner Muhammad Sohul Hussain and noted writer Anwara Syed Haque. The tenure of the incumbent Commission, led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, will expire on February 14. Rizvi narrated how the search committee members have links with Awami League. “Obaidul Hassan, the current head of the search committee, was a member of the previous two search committees and he belongs to a tested Awami League family. He was also an Awami League MP candidate. He was a big leader of the Baksal Chhatra League,” he said. The BNP leader said Sohul Hussain, an expert in election engineering, has become a member of the search committee. “He bought the nomination form of Awami League in 2018 to be a candidate of the party in Sylhet-1 seat.” Also read: BNP sold out the War of Liberation sharing power with anti-independence forces: Quader He said another search committee member and High Court Division Justice SM Kuddus Zaman is the son of Rajbari’s late Awami League leader Hamiz Uddin Sheik. “His brother is an important leader of the local Awami League. Another member Prof Anwara Syed Haque is known as a blind Awami Leaguer. She is the wife of late poet Syed Shamsul Haque, a dedicated supporter of the Awami League. She served the Pakistan Air Force Medical Center throughout the war of independence. They’re experts in Hasina-style election engineering.” Rizvi said neither the country’s people nor BNP has any interest in the search committee or in the Election Commission. “People believe that a fair election is not possible without a non-partisan and neutral government.” He said a polls-time neutral government must be formed to hold the next general election in a credible manner. “Once the polls-time impartial government is formed, it will constitute a neutral Election Commission…people have turned down the Awami private committee in the name of the search committee with hatred.” The BNP leader said the Election Commission to be nominated by the search committee will be loyal to the government. “So, a mockery with people is going on in the name of formation of the Election Commission through the search committee.” He urged the government to quit and take steps for holding the next polls under an election-time neutral government to protect the country from a civil war.