People don’t want fallen forces rehabilitated

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has underscored the need for taking legal measures against those who have repeatedly violated the constitution and formed illegitimate parliaments and governments.

Tarique said the people do not want to see the return or rehabilitation of fallen, fugitive, autocratic, and evil forces, who were involved in enforced disappearances, murders, abductions, corruption, looting, and money laundering in any form within government or politics.

He was speaking yesterday at a BNP programme for exchanging greetings with members of the Buddhist community at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

Tarique said people are now agreed on two key issues: firstly, that no one should be allowed to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state in the future, and secondly, that the absconding, subservient and anti-democratic forces must not be allowed to raise their heads again.

"Every political party in Bangladesh, including the BNP, completely agrees with this demand of the people," Tarique said.

He called on people from all walks of life to remain alert so that no one can conspire to usurp their right to vote.

"But until a democratic government is established in the country, we must ensure that no one is able to conspire to hijack our democratic political rights and our right to vote," the BNP leader said.

Tarique said democracy still remains the only viable option recognised globally to establish a safe and humane state.

He said the BNP has been consistently calling upon the government from the very beginning to announce a clear roadmap or action plan so that the public has a transparent understanding of its activities.

"If people have a clear understanding of the government's operations, there will be no scope for confusion, suspicion, or misinformation," the BNP leader said.

Tarique urged journalists to publish investigative reports on attacks against religious communities in various parts of the country, such as Ramu in Cox's Bazar, Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria and other areas like Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Sunamganj.

He expressed his belief that identifying those responsible for these incidents would prevent anyone from using religious communities for political gain.

He also extended his greetings to the Buddhist community on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.