Fakhrul: Dire consequences await government If Khaleda Zia is not released

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that dire consequences await the government if Khaleda Zia is not released.

“Democracy cannot be imagined without Khaleda Zia. She has been wrongfully imprisoned for six years,” he told party followers at Naya Paltan on Saturday.

The rally, organized by the BNP to demand the unconditional release of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, started at 3 pm.  The Naya Paltan area was filled with leaders and activists from before 2pm. 

Both sides of the road in front of the office were closed because of the rally. This was the first major program of the BNP in almost eight months.

Addressing the party leaders and activists as the chief guest, Fakhrul said: “Do not die of fear; fight bravely. For change to occur, the youth must come forward. The Awami League is occupying the government. They have destroyed the country and its political structure, undermining the country's democracy and freedom. A strong movement should be developed.”

The BNP secretary general further said: “I urge other political parties to unite in the fight for Khaleda Zia's release. The government has entered into an anti-national agreement with India. This government in power means the destruction of the country. So, we have to intensify our movement to protect ourselves.”

Selima Rahman, a member of the party's standing committee, said that a new fight has begun for the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Expressing her determination not to return home without freeing Khaleda Zia, she said: "For this purpose, today the leaders and activists have to take an oath. We have to fight this unitedly."

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said: "We cannot be in the field when needed. Just slogans, no implementation."

Commenting that BNP has not achieved the desired results from the movement in the last 15 years, Abbas said: "The October 28 movement was not successful because of the fear in the minds of the activists. The BNP would have got results only if it had counter-marched that day." 

He called on all the leaders and activists to take to the streets using public support.

BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said that the country gained freedom through war, so Khaleda Zia's release will not be achieved just by delivering speeches.

He said: “The government suspended her sentence by executive order. She is still incarcerated, she does not receive proper treatment, she does not get bail, whereas death row convicts get bail. There is no reason to imprison her even for a day. This verdict is to please Sheikh Hasina. And this judgment is for the satisfaction of those who brought her to power.”

Gayeshwar Roy also said that the existence of Bangladesh will be erased if Khaleda Zia is not freed.

He added that the agreements the government made with India are all intended to destroy Bangladesh. "We do not want the interests of our country to be undermined in the name of friendship."

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said: "Medical care is a human right. A leader is approaching death. She needs advanced treatment. Her well-being is not only for her; it is necessary for the country and its people."

He claimed: “On what charge was Khaleda Zia sentenced? The main complaint against Khaleda Zia is that she is the most popular leader of the country, and she speaks for the people of the country.”

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury urged the leaders and activists to build resistance.

He said: "Where injustice becomes law, where there is no rule of law, no human rights, and no security of life, resistance becomes a duty; it becomes inevitable. In a country where people have to die in police custody and without treatment, they cannot go out protesting."

BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said: "Activists and leaders are coming from Dhaka city and surrounding areas to demand the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia. People are coming despite the bad weather. I think this gathering will be the biggest in memory."

BNP leaders and activists gathered in front of various buildings along the roads in Purana Paltan, Bijoynagar, Fakirapool, and Arambagh areas. They were requested to participate in the rally in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The road in front of the BNP's Nayapaltan office was partially restricted, leaving only one lane open for traffic.

The BNP formed volunteer teams from its affiliated bodies to ensure the rally's success and maintain peace.

The joint secretary general of the party said that the BNP’s Jubo Dal, Jatiotabadi Swechhasebak Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, Krishak Dal, Mohila Dal, Chattra Dal, Ulama Dal, Jele Dal, Tanti Dal, Doctors Association, Engineers Association, Agriculturists Association, and Combined Professional Council participated in the rally.

On July 1 and 3, rallies will be held in all metropolitan and district cities of the country.