BNP condemns attack on Jatiyo Party central office
In a statement, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi last night (5 September), the party said such incidents of arson and attack would only “create confusion and frustration among the public about the hopes of building a democratic state and society after the July Uprising”.
The BNP has expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the attack and vandalism carried out by an "unruly group of people" at the Jatiyo Party's central office in Dhaka's Kakrail last evening (5 September).
In a statement, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi last night (5 September), the party said such incidents of arson and attack would only "create confusion and frustration among the public about the hopes of building a democratic state and society after the July Uprising".
"While differences of opinion may exist, attempting to suppress freedom of expression through force reflects an authoritarian mindset and goes against the spirit of democracy and the ideals of July," read the statement.
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BNP further emphasised that in a genuine democracy, the existence of multiple political parties is indispensable, and whether a party can continue its organisational activities or even survive depends solely on the will of the people.
"Intimidation, violence, or threats to stop the activities of a political party are incompatible with the principles of multi-party democracy," the statement added.
Yesterday around 7pm, the Jatiyo Party's Kakrail office was vandalised and set on fire, allegedly by activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad, shortly after the party staged a solidarity rally in Shahbagh protesting last week's attack on its president Nurul Haque Nur and others.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Md Masud Alam said, "Police lobbed three sound grenades and used water cannons to disperse the Gono Odhikar Parishad activists."
However, Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Md Rashed Khan denied the party's involvement.
He said, "We do not know who carried out the attack on the Jatiyo Party office, because Gono Odhikar Parishad is not involved in the attack or arson there. Our pre-announced programme was a solidarity rally at Shahbagh. We concluded it there in the presence of leaders of various parties."
On 29 August, Nur was injured after law enforcers baton-charged during a clash between his party's activists and Jatiyo Party men in Kakrail.
