Fascism may reemerge in new forms, warns Rizvi
Rizvi also said reporters bravely highlighted many incidents during periods of political repression, which helped save the lives of many leaders and activists.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (4 February) expressed his concern that fascism could reemerge in the country in new forms and through different tactics.
"Fascism must not rise again. We all need to be careful so that no one can establish autocracy in a new way, with new tactics or a new appearance," he said while speaking at the inaugural session of a views-exchange meeting with members of the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.
He urged all to remain alert to protect democracy so that no authoritarian force can return under a new guise.
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The senior BNP leader said people were not able to cast their votes freely over the last 16 to 17 years and the festive atmosphere normally associated with elections was destroyed.
"Elections are meant to be a festival of people's participation. But in the past, that environment was ruined through the capture of polling centres and intimidation," he observed.
Praising the role of journalists, Rizvi said reporters bravely highlighted many incidents during periods of political repression, which helped save the lives of many leaders and activists.
He said there were times when party activists were picked up late at night.
"Even when police denied it, journalists exposed the incidents. As a result, many people were rescued."
Rizvi also warned that recent incidents suggest a rise in rude and aggressive behaviour in politics, which reflects a fascist mindset.
He cautioned that any attempt to establish authoritarian rule by using religion will be even more dangerous.
Rizvi said if voting rights are ensured, people will make the right decisions, and democratic forces will be reflected.
BNP's senior joint secretary general expressed hope that the next election will be held in a free and inclusive environment.
BNP Standing Committee member and chief of the party's central election steering committe,e Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, and Adviser to the BNP Chairman and spokesperson of the election steering committee Mahdi Amin, among others, were present at the meeting.
