Govt blaming political parties for lack of reform cooperation: Mirza Fakhrul
“The current government is talking about reform every moment. They are indirectly trying to blame political parties, attempting to say that we are not cooperating,” he said
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that the government is indirectly blaming political parties for not cooperating in reform efforts, despite that not being true.
"The current government is talking about reform every moment. They are indirectly trying to blame political parties, attempting to say that we are not cooperating," Fakhrul said at the launch of a month-long graffiti campaign by Jubo Dal in front of the National Museum today (28 July).
"Their statements are not correct. We are constantly cooperating with their reform programme. We always want to work with everyone," he added.
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He questioned the lack of progress in investigating last year's July uprising.
"We have not seen much regarding Hasina's trial so far. Why not? It has been a year since the July mass uprising. Why has internal work not started yet?" he said.
Fakhrul warned that internal divisions within democratic forces could enable authoritarian forces to regain ground.
"It could empower fascists. It could create new opportunities for fascists," he said.
He also alleged that BNP leaders and activists were tortured by the fallen government.
"Our leaders and activists at all levels across the country have been killed, disappeared, tortured and oppressed. Last July, leaders of all our affiliated organisations were arrested and subjected to brutal torture at the DB office. But not once did any of our leaders surrender. None of our leaders gave a bond that day," he said.
Referring to the images now circulating of the Detective Branch (DB) office, Fakhrul said, "The pictures of our leaders and activists, whose nails were pulled out, hands were broken, and who were beaten while hanging, do not appear in the media."
Addressing media workers, he urged, "Please call white white and black black. Acknowledge everyone's contribution."
He claimed that 79 Jubo Dal members and 142 Chhatra Dal members were killed during the July movement last year.
Stating that people of all walks of life participated in the July mass uprising, he said, "It was not just a few parties, a few boys. From children to elderly people, everyone took to the streets against fascist Sheikh Hasina that day."
Mirza Fakhrul concluded by urging the public to remember the sacrifices of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, saying she "sacrificed everything in her life for democracy."
