Enemies of Bangladesh reemerging, says BNP's Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that the “enemies of Bangladesh are rising again,” expressing concern over growing instability in the country.

Speaking at a discussion marking the 'Sipahi-Janata Revolution Day' on Sunday (November 2) at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, he alleged that attempts are being made to create chaos through propaganda and misinformation, especially on social media.

Mirza Fakhrul said November 7 marks a turning point in the nation’s politics, when soldiers and citizens freed the then President Ziaur Rahman from confinement in 1975, thwarting conspiracies against the country.

He described Ziaur Rahman as a “visionary leader” who transformed Bangladesh from being called a “bottomless basket” into a nation of possibilities. “Under his leadership, Bangladesh began its rebirth as an emerging tiger,” he added.

The BNP leader further said Ziaur Rahman declared the country’s independence from Kalurghat Radio Station on March 26, 1971, following the Pakistan Army’s attack on unarmed Bengalis. He termed the subsequent five years under the Awami League as a period of “misrule and one-party BAKSAL dictatorship,” which led to corruption, mismanagement, and the devastating famine of 1974.

After 1975, he said, Ziaur Rahman restored multi-party democracy, ensured press and judicial freedom, and initiated economic reforms. “Under his leadership, Bangladesh saw revolutions in agriculture, industry, garments, overseas employment, and women’s empowerment,” Fakhrul said.

He lamented that Ziaur Rahman was “brutally assassinated” at the Chittagong Circuit House but said his ideology of Bangladeshi nationalism “remains undefeated.”

“Just as President Zia united the nation, his successor Tarique Rahman is now trying to do the same from abroad under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia,” he added.

Concluding, Mirza Fakhrul said, “November 7 is a day of national awakening. Guided by Ziaur Rahman’s ideals, we will continue our struggle for democracy, independence, and a sovereign Bangladesh.”