Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has warned opposition parties against threatening to launch long marches, road marches or a one-point movement, saying the BNP has emerged from years of street protests and struggles.
“Do not threaten us with long marches, road marches or a one-point movement. Such threats will achieve nothing. The BNP is a party that has emerged from the streets through movements, struggles and resistance. So, do not try to intimidate us,” he said.
The minister made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a programme organised by voluntary organisation “Life Line Welfare Organisation” on the grounds of Ayesha High School in Totakhil, Chandraganj upazila, Lakshmipur.
Anee also described Islami Chhatra Shibir as a covert organisation and alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and Shibir had colluded with the Awami League.
He claimed that Jamaat had staged 172 days of hartals and blockades in alliance with the Awami League in 1996 and was continuing similar activities.
“Before 5 August, Shibir operated covertly at various universities. Shibir is a covert organisation. Everyone must remain cautious and alert,” he said.
Anee said political parties could not fulfil their responsibilities merely by delivering speeches in parliament; they also had to stand beside the people.
“Providing religious instruction or delivering sermons in mosques does not, by itself, constitute practising Islam in its true spirit. Paradise is not so easily attained that casting a vote guarantees a ticket to heaven,” he said.
He claimed that the government had undertaken more development work during its first six months in office than previous governments had done.
Despite these development initiatives, he alleged, opposition parties spoke eloquently in parliament but obstructed the government outside the House.
He accused opposition parties of creating social unrest through road marches and long marches, saying people had endured hardships for 17 years and had been unable to lead normal lives with their families.
“People do not want further unrest caused by road marches and long marches. This cannot continue,” he said.
The minister said life was a constant struggle for survival and that everyone had to work hard to overcome challenges.
He said local development was important, but it would have little value if people could not live with dignity, honour and respect.
Urging people to work together to preserve a peaceful society, Anee called for a united social movement to resist activities that threatened social harmony.
“We have lost a lot over the past 17 years. We do not want to lose any more. We have achieved this country through immense struggle and sacrifice. Everyone must come forward to build the country in a better way,” he said.
Addressing party leaders and activists, Anee questioned whether holding rallies and meetings throughout their lives could be the sole responsibility of a political party.
He said political parties should also work for national development, social progress and religious causes.
He urged people to counter the misinterpretation of religion and the spread of misleading information in society.
Calling for collective efforts to curb drug abuse, he said the government maintained a zero-tolerance policy on the issue.
“Anyone involved in drug-related activities or any other wrongdoing that threatens social peace will not be spared, no matter how powerful they are,” he said.
After the programme, the minister distributed sewing machines among women.
