Special Correspondent
Accusing the government of snatching rights of the citizens, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday urged all to get prepared for a struggle imbued with the spirit of the holy Ashura to ‘restore democracy’ in the country.
“The current regime which usurped the power is unboundedly repressing the country’s people. It’s snatched their (people’s) all rights to subdue them,” she said in a message issued on the occasion of Ashura.
The former Prime Minister further said, “So, we must restore our lost democracy imbued with the spirit of the sacrifice of the Muharram 10 to fight against unjust and to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.”
The holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), will be observed across the country on Tuesday with due religious solemnity.
On this day (Muharram 10) in Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), along with his family members and followers embraced martyrdom in Karbala to uphold the spirit of the Prophet (SM).
Describing Muharram 10 as a very significant day for the Muslim Ummah, Khaleda said Imam Hussain (RA) embraced the martyrdom at Karbala fighting against the unjust.
The extremely heartrending incident of Karbal?, she said, still today makes people cry and saddened. “His (Imam Hussain’s) sacrifice for the truth and justice has remained as an example for people of all countries, including Bangladesh, to follow.”
The greatest prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had asked all to resist unjust, Khaleda said, adding, “As his followers, it’s our duty to put up a strong resistance against an anti-people regime, its misdeeds and misrule. Bangladesh is now going through a bad time with unjust and misdeeds.”
Meanwhile, BNP Standing committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah on Friday said there is no other option but to wage vigorous street movement together with people to save the country from the hands of the current “repressive and corrupt” government.
“There’s no alternative to launching a strong movement on the streets involving people of all walks of life to oust the corrupt, repressive, and democracy-killer regime,” he said.
The government “won’t be able to stop our democratic movement by resorting to repression,” the BNP standing committee member said while addressing a discussion, organised by Jatiyatabadi Manush Bachao, Desh Bachao Andolan, a pro-BNP body, at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Rafiqul came down heavily on the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for what he said withdrawing 1,598 corruption cases filed against the ruling party men, alleging that it has now been turned into a commission to give impunity to the Awami League leaders and activists.
He also alleged that the ACC is filing fresh cases against BNP leaders and activists while it is withdrawing cases against the ruling party men and giving them clean certificates.
The BNP leader warned that those who are filing false cases against BNP leaders and activists, including its chairperson Khaleda Zia and senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman, must face trial in the future.
About the victories of Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Saber Hossain Chowdhury’s in Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) elections, he said: “We don’t deny you’ve won the IPU and CPA elections. But, I ask Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whether you can say you’ve been elected in the country through people’s vote.”
Rafiqul said: “The government can not win the hearts of people by showing the certificates from IPU and CPA.
Source: Weekly Holiday