BNP leader Farroque accuses Hasina's regime of exploiting Rohingya crisis

The government of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina did politics over the Rohingya issue for financial gain, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Zainul Abedin Farroque alleged today (14 March).

"Muhammad Yunus, you are visiting Cox's Bazar with the UN Secretary-General. Tell him openly that Sheikh Hasina has exploited the Rohingya issue for financial gain," he told a protest rally.

Nagorik Odhikar Andolon organised the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club to protest against "Indian aggression and propaganda against Bangladesh."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Dhaka yesterday afternoon for a four-day visit and travelled to Cox's Bazar this morning to meet Rohingya refugees.

Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, voiced concerns over the rising incidents of crime, violence and social unrest in the country, urging the authorities to take swift action to restore normalcy.

"Why have muggings increased? Why do incidents of assault still happen? Why are women still being raped? Professor Muhammad Yunus and Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury should investigate who is behind these acts," he said.

The BNP leader claimed that those who amassed illegal wealth during the Awami League's rule are now orchestrating various untoward incidents and fuelling social unrest. "You [Yunus] must fight against them. You will prevail in this fight, and we are with you," he said.

Farroque said the unity forged among the country's politicians and people during the July-August mass uprising must be maintained for the greater good of the nation. "We have to sustain this unity so that the sacrifices of Abu Sayeed and Mugdha do not go in vain," he observed.

The BNP leader also stressed the need for national unity to restore democracy through a credible election.

He urged Yunus to arrange a national election as soon as possible to thwart conspiracies against the country.

"We want the unity through which Professor Muhammad Yunus can facilitate a credible election in Bangladesh. People are now saying that you [Sheikh Hasina] are no longer capable of running the state. A conspiracy has begun. To put an end to this conspiracy, an election is necessary... arrange for that election," the BNP leader said.

Farroque alleged that Sheikh Hasina indulged in widespread looting of national wealth before fleeing the country.

"Sheikh Hasina has fled with 18 steel boxes filled with Bangladesh's wealth—dollars, rubles, everything. Her ministers and associates have plundered the nation's resources," he alleged.

Farroque urged India to withdraw its support for Sheikh Hasina, calling her a "fascist leader and a destroyer of democracy."

"If India truly cares about Bangladesh and has genuinely supported our Liberation War, then Narendra Modi's government should never stand by a dictator like Hasina," he said.

Farroque also alleged that Sheikh Hasina is conspiring against Bangladesh to destabilise the country from India.