In the wake of a fresh spike in coronavirus transmission, BNP on Wednesday postponed its all the programmes chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence until March 30. BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, also the convener of the party's national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee, came up with the announcement at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. “The Covid-19 situation in the country has now taken a dangerous turn. The number of coronavirus infections and deaths is surging seriously throughout this week,” he said. The BNP leader said the risk of transmission of the virus has increased through welcoming foreign guests and holding various programmes. Also read: BNP launches year-long Golden Jubilee programmes “Considering the overall corona situation in the country and giving importance to the protection of public health and people’s worry about the rise in corona infection, BNP's Golden Jubilee programmes have been postponed till March 30.” He said they will reschedule their programmes taken to mark the Golden Jubilee and implement those if the Covid situation improves. Speaking at the press conference, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said as a responsible political party, BNP thinks all meetings and rallies should be postponed immediately due to the severity of corona transmission. Also read: Bangladesh begins birth centenary, golden jubilee of independence celebrations He urged all of their party leaders and activists across the country to wear masks and maintain safe physical distancing and health safety rules. “You please don't put yourself in danger by going to the crowded places and mass gatherings.” Fakhrul also called upon the party leaders and workers to encourage people to abide by the health hygiene rules. Earlier on February 24, BNP announced a 19-day programme for the month of March to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. As part of the programmes, the party had plans to bring out a Golden Jubilee rally in the capital on March 26 and hold a grand rally on March 30 at Suhrawardy Udyan. Also read: Bangladesh reports new high of 3,567 Corona cases; 25 more die Fakhrul urged the government to take immediate steps to slow down the corona transmission by postponing all the state programmes. “We’re calling upon the government to stop all programmes and events by giving focus on Covid preventive measures,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that the government has failed to involve people with the Golden Jubilee celebration programmes. “They’re holding various events in the name of the Golden Jubilee only to appease their foreign masters.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her government will do everything necessary to ensure the civic and democratic rights of the people.