Break any Awami League hand raised against you: Fakhrul to party members

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (2 September) delivered a stern warning to Awami League, instructing his party leaders and activists to retaliate with counter-attacks if they are ever targeted.

"Be cautious. If anyone from Awami League lays a hand on you, break that hand," he told its party members while inaugurating a canal-cleanup programme in Dhaka's Uttara, organised by the BNP's Dhaka North unit.

The programme was held in place of the earlier announced rally marking the party's 47th founding anniversary.

Fakhrul alleged, "Although Sheikh Hasina has fled the country, she hasn't abandoned her wickedness. She is constantly instigating from India, instructing Chhatra League and Jubo League members to cause trouble."

Fakhrul further said the rally was cancelled to avoid causing public suffering. "Today we were supposed to hold a rally. But rallies block roads, create traffic jams, and cause people hardship. That is why Tarique Rahman directed us to clean Dhaka's canals instead."

Urging sincerity in the initiative, the BNP leader told leaders and activists, "Cleaning canals is not about showing up for five minutes and leaving."

He added, "The entire canal must be cleaned. Leaders cannot come in suits and coats and pretend to work. Some female leaders even came straight from beauty parlours. This is not how canals will be cleaned."

On the role of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Fakhrul said, "Political parties entrusted Yunus with running the country. He is sincerely trying to create an environment conducive to elections. He has no political ambition of his own."

He also called on party activists to avoid creating unrest centring on student union elections on campuses.

Addressing the police, Fakhrul said, "Whatever you did in the past, leave it behind. Stand with the people now. If you do, everyone will love and respect you."