A vested quarter is pushing the nation towards division: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that considering themselves intelligent and patriotic, some people are pushing the entire nation towards division.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, titled “Fall of dictatorship, democratic movement and role of physician community in state formation”, organised at the National Press Club in the capital on Wednesday (November 27) afternoon. The discussion was organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) marking Martyr Dr Milon Day.

Fakhrul further said, “The victory of August 5 was achieved at the cost of many lives and blood. The roads of Bangladesh have been washed away in blood. The people of the country have repeatedly sacrificed their lives for the motherland. Is this Bangladesh the result of this? Not even been three months have passed, but already there are blockades on the streets! Why this terrible violence? Where is the problem?”

The BNP Secretary General said, “For the past few days, we have been very worried, terribly worried. Can you imagine that the office of the free and independent media that I have fought for so long is being burned down? I do not want to see this Bangladesh at all.”

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: "No matter how much we talk, deliver speeches, try to unite the world, it will not work. If division and discord remain in my own house, I will never be able to fix it. We have been very worried for a few days, terribly worried. You can imagine the madness that has started in Bangladesh based on religion! We fought for a free and independent media, for the press, for holding meetings for so long, these are blowing it up. We do not want to see this Bangladesh. What madness! And there are some people whom I am terrified to see on social media. Burn them, burn them, this kind of talk is going on there. Can you imagine where Bangladesh is being taken?"

"Do we really aware of our fear? Do we understand what is the fear? Do we know anything as to where the assailants are standing with a knife? I do not understand. If we understood, such irresponsible talk would not have been delivered. Unfortunately, some people consider themselves very popular. They consider themselves the most patriotic. And today they are pushing the entire nation towards division, inciting it and pushing it towards darkness. Think deeply, I will not name anyone, I do not want to say. Think with a calm mind- those who want to create discord among us, are they our enemies or allies?" he added.

He said: "Today on this 24th, I have to shout for the right to vote. Which nation are we! Do you ever ask these things? This time, an opportunity had come to bring a change in the country. The boys were also in the front, we were also there. Together, we can bring the change. It has not been three months yet, in the meantime, our true face has come out. Success can never be achieved with such a face."

Noting that young people of Bangladesh are giving their lives to establish the right to vote, he furthet said: "To regain its freedom, democracy and voting rights, young people are sacrificing lives. The victory of August 5 was achieved through blood and life, passing through the path stained with blood. Think for a moment, how a person can selflessly give his life for the country. We see this again and again, sacrificing lives for the motherland."

Highlighting the recent situation in the country, he said, three months have not yet passed since the fall of the dictatorship. "How strange! One after another, people are taking to the field with divisions, everyone is setting fire to newspaper offices, did we want such a country, why so much division, why so much violence? How many more times will we try to lift Bangladesh up?"

Highlighting the events of the past two-three days in the country, he said: "I know many of you have told me many things, clearly I am a Liberal Democracy supporter, so is my party. You may have a different opinion, but won’t you let anyone else to talk?"

Mirza Fakhrul strongly condemned and protested the attack on the newspaper office. He said: "I have been fighting for democracy and freedom of expression for the last 15 years. I may have a difference of opinion with you. However, I will fight for your freedom of speech even if it costs my life."

The BNP Secretary General said that a fascist had stopped the voice of the nation and now you want to wipe yourselves out. So where will the common people go? Why are you leading them to confusion? A society cannot be taken forward like this."

Urging everyone to unite, Mirza Fakhrul said, no one should bow to division. "Come, let us unite and fight to re-establish democracy."