BNP patronises Bangabandhu’s sculpture vandalism: Quader
He added, “They claim that democracy existed during their term. Then, how did the extremism rise?”
Referring to the recent midnight vandalism of Bangabandhu's sculpture in Kushtia, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said BNP patronised the unpardonable offence of the extreme communal forces.
"BNP on one hand patronises anti-Liberation and extreme communal forces, on the other hand, always talks about democracy. Extremism mounted up in the country under BNP's patronisation," he said.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, was addressing a novel coronavirus (Covid-19) protective equipment distribution ceremony arranged by Awami League's Relief and Social Welfare Sub-Committee on Friday at the party president's Dhanmondi political office in the capital. He joined it virtually from his official residence on the parliament's premises.
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About BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's allegation that extremism rises due to a lack of democratic practices, the minister asked, "Who created the militants Bangla Bhai and Shaykh Abdur Rahman, when the country-wide series bombings took place and when coordinated bomb attacks were launched on four cinemas halls – Alaka, Chayabani, Purobi, and Ajanta – in Mymensingh?"
"BNP always talks about democracy. They claim that democracy existed during their term. Then, how did the extremism rise?" he questioned.
Quader said BNP created extremism supporting and nurturing militants to sustain themselves in power and wipe out the spirit of Liberation War from the country.
About Mirza Fakhrul's remarks that the Awami League government will have to face trial for violating human rights, the Awami League general secretary said the words about human rights do not suit BNP, rather they sound like "the devil listening to the scriptures."
Turning to the Awami League nomination process in the upcoming local government elections, he urged his party's men to refrain from sending the names of those who violated the party's decision in previous elections.
He said if any Awami League lawmaker, minister or central leader is found involved in backing the rival candidates of previous elections, the party will take tough action against them.
Calling upon all to abide by health guidelines and wear facemasks mandatorily, the minister said the outbreak of Covid-19 has changed the normal trend of life.
Mentioning that the Covid-19-positive cases and number of deaths are on a rising trend in Bangladesh, he urged all to remain alert about a possible second wave of the Covid-19.
Awami League Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi and Education and Human Resources Secretary Shamsun Nahar Chapa were present, among others, at the Dhanmondi office.
