Country will not respond, people await your punishment: Rizvi on AL's hartal call
Sheikh Hasina has turned the country into hell. She’s trying to regain power to make Bangladesh a living hell again. But that won’t happen, he says
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (30 January) criticised the Awami League's planned protest programmes, including a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on 18 February, stating that the people will not respond as the party is responsible for killings during the mass uprising.
"Instead of responding to the protest, people are waiting for your punishment. Sheikh Hasina has turned the country into hell. She's trying to regain power to make Bangladesh a living hell again. But that won't happen," he said while providing financial assistance to a physically challenged rickshaw-puller.
"Amra BNP Poribar" organised the programme in front of the BNP's Naya Paltan central office.
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The BNP leader said those killed and injured in the July Revolution seek justice. "Those who shot a boy like Ahnaf possess the soul of a bloodthirsty wolf. To Sheikh Hasina, women and children have no value. She only values the throne."
He accused Hasina of carrying out many deaths through crossfire and enforced disappearances. "Shooting was a game for Sheikh Hasina. Crossfire was a matter of joy for her. She delighted in seeing the bodies and blood of her opponents. She is a mentally ill woman."
Rizvi also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed Putul had established a foundation in her father-in-law's name, but the Anti-Corruption Commission found no such foundation.
He also said Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy had created a foundation as well, but it too was found to be non-existent. "When a deceiver remains in power, they turn their children into deceivers as well. Sheikh Hasina is an example of this. She has allocated plots to her children and relatives in Purbachal, flouting all rules and regulations."
'Top criminals roam around Dhaka as law enforcement remains inactive'
The BNP leader has alleged that although top terrorists have been running around, engaging in various crimes and acts of violence across the capital, no visible action is being taken to restore law and order.
"Many people are being killed in various social conflicts and incidents of violence throughout Bangladesh. Yet, the law enforcement agencies are not playing any role in containing it," he said.
Rizvi said the law enforcement agencies are not arresting the offenders to improve the law and order situation in the country.
"The top terrorists are running rampant, causing turmoil and violence in various parts of Dhaka city. Yet, we're not seeing any action against them. But just a few days ago, whenever a procession emerged from the BNP party office, the law enforcement agencies would attack from all sides like bees," he said.
The BNP leader stressed the importance of arresting the offenders and ensuring their punishment to restore peace and order in the country.
He said those responsible for the killing of Abu Sayed, Mughdo and Ahnaf during the July-August mass uprising were members of the law enforcement agencies. "But why have they not been brought to justice? We are also identifying those who are shielding these criminals. Why should the mothers of Abu Sayed, Mughdo and Ahnaf continue shedding tears for justice?"
Rizvi said the state should file cases against the criminals within the law enforcement agencies who were involved in the killings during the July-August mass uprising to ensure their punishment.
He bemoaned that BNP leaders and activists are being falsely accused in numerous cases related to the killings during the mass uprising, as part of a conspiracy against the party. "Those who have led the movement on the streets over the last 15 years are being made accused in these murder cases."
