BNP condemns attack on JaPa office in Kakrail

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has strongly condemned the attack, vandalism, and arson at the Jatiya Party (JAP) central office in capital's Kakrail on Friday evening.

In a statement issued Saturday (September 6), BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi described the incident as an affront to democracy and the spirit of the July mass uprising.

“Obstructing freedom of expression through violence reflects authoritarian attitudes and is contrary to a multi-party democratic system,” the statement said.

The JaPa office reportedly suffered significant damage, including burned furniture and documents, and vandalism of party symbols, including pictures of former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad and current Chairman GM Quader.

Party leaders and activists staged a protest in front of the office following the attack.

JaPa leaders has blamed the Gono Odhikar Parishad for the attack, though the organization has denied involvement.

The incident follows a similar clash on August 29 between JaPa and Gono Odhikar Parishad activists, during which the Jatiya Party office was also vandalized and Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque was injured in a police crackdown.

BNP emphasized that the survival of political parties depends on public support and warned that attempts to intimidate parties through violence undermine democratic principles.