On the occasion of Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called for the immediate restoration of voting rights, which he claimed had been stripped by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Speaking at a discussion and cultural event in Dhaka, Rizvi labeled Hasina's leadership as "fascist" and accused her of undermining democracy by suppressing citizens' rights, particularly the right to vote.
Rizvi emphasized that the nation’s primary desire in the new year is the restoration of democracy and freedom. “Fascist Hasina has taken away all the people’s rights, including the right to vote, and established an authoritarian regime,” he said.
Recalling the spirited resistance of youth during the Chhatra Dal movement, Rizvi praised their resilience in the face of oppression. “The youth kept fighting, even when the police shot one person and another stood up. This spirit was fueled by the writings of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam,” Rizvi remarked.
He also criticized the ruling government's efforts to impose a particular cultural narrative in the country, pointing to last year’s Pohela Boishakh, when propaganda was spread against BNP's leadership. “Are all people who wear beards and caps bad? No,” Rizvi asserted, rejecting the attempts to associate cultural practices with political dissent.
Rizvi made it clear that the BNP’s struggle for democracy has been ongoing for over 16 years and that restoring voting rights was crucial for Bangladesh’s future. “We have fought for 16 years to restore democracy, and we will not stop until the people’s rights are returned,” he said.
The BNP leader also criticized those advocating for reforms while sidelining the issue of voting rights. “Democracy means reforms. Democracy is a flowing river, and there is no place for authoritarianism in it,” Rizvi explained, urging the need for a democratic system to prevail over authoritarian tactics.
Chhatra Dal Vice President Dr. Touhidur Rahman Awal echoed Rizvi's sentiments, calling Hasina’s government an obstacle to freedom. “Today is another Eid day for Chhatra Dal,” Awal said, highlighting the unity and resolve of the youth in their fight for democracy.
The event was moderated by BNP Joint Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim Shahin and featured speeches from notable figures such as National University Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Nurul Islam, poet Reza Stalin, and BNP Executive Committee member Mahbub Islam. All speakers expressed solidarity with the cause of restoring voting rights and democracy in Bangladesh.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
