'Feeling blue': Fakhrul laments arrest of SAD leaders on extortion charges
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed deep sorrow over the recent arrest of several Students Against Discrimination (SAD) leaders in Dhaka on extortion charges, saying he started "feeling blue" after reading the news.
"Today, when I opened the newspaper, I felt completely blue with sorrow. I saw that five coordinators have been arrested by police for extorting Tk50 lakh from a former MP by force," he said.
He questioned, "Is this the consequence we desired? Is this what the people of this country wanted? If such an incident can occur so soon – not even a year has passed – what lies ahead for us?"
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Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing the launch of a month-long programme by the BNP's youth wing, Jubo Dal, marking the July Uprising, held in front of the National Museum in Shahbag today (28 July).
He also warned that the ongoing attempts to corner the BNP through pressure tactics will not succeed.
"To truly bring change and build a new Bangladesh, we must listen to the voices of rickshaw-pullers, van drivers, labourers, and farmers," said the senior BNP leader.
"The entire nation looks to the youth – it is through their hands that we must build the golden Bangladesh," he added.
