Rizvi condemns RU teacher’s post labeling Begum Rokeya as ‘Murtad Kafir’

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has strongly condemned a Rajshahi University teacher for describing Begum Rokeya as a “murtad kafir” in a Facebook post marking Begum Rokeya Day.

The post, made by Khondaker Muhammad Mahmudul Hasan of the Physics Department, included selectively quoted excerpts from Rokeya’s writings and quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism.

Speaking at an event in Dhaka on Thursday (December 11), BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi denounced the remark, calling it an alarming sign. “We strongly condemn labeling Begum Rokeya a ‘kafir’ or ‘murtad’. It raises concern about whether a dark force is re-emerging in the country,” he said during the fifth day of the party’s weeklong ‘Nation-Building Plan’ workshop at the Krishibid Institution.

Referring to political changes last year, Rizvi added, “After the fall of fascism on August 5, new extremist elements seem to be rising again.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was also present at the event, warned against attempts to use religion as a tool for dominance, saying such forces must be resisted.