BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that the Awami League maintained authoritarian rule in Bangladesh for nearly 15–16 years after abolishing the caretaker government system introduced to ensure neutral elections.
He made the remarks on Tuesday at a milad and doa mahfil organised by Paharchada Union BNP in Chakaria of Cox’s Bazar, seeking forgiveness for the soul of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Salahuddin said Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and her father had repeatedly destroyed democracy in the country by curtailing people’s political and democratic rights and establishing a one-party, one-person-centred autocratic system, while Khaleda Zia restored democracy by ending nine years of military rule through an anti-autocracy movement.
He said Khaleda Zia introduced the parliamentary system in response to public demand and later brought in the caretaker government system, considering the country’s realities, to ensure free and fair elections.
The BNP leader further alleged that the fall of what he described as a fascist force came through a mass uprising of students and the public, after which the defeated leaders fled abroad, adding that despite speaking of democracy, they deprived citizens of political and civic rights.
Salahuddin also accused the government of hurting the sentiments of religious Muslims and repressing the Ulema community, claiming mass killings at Shapla Chattar, the killing of madrasa students under cover of darkness and the imprisonment of many religious scholars, which he said ultimately led to their removal from power amid public opposition.
He said the people now wanted a strong democratic and discrimination-free Bangladesh, where the rule of law prevails and justice and social justice are ensured.
The programme was presided over by Paharchada Central Jame Mosque pesh imam Maulana Farid Uddin Aziz, while Chakaria BNP president Enamul Haq, general secretary Mobarak Ali, Paharchada Organisational Union BNP convener Nasir Uddin Haider, adviser Jalal Ahmed Sikder and other senior BNP leaders also spoke.
