Interim govt creating opportunities for rehabilitation of fascists: Tarique

BNP's acting chairperson Tarique Rahman has accused the interim government of creating opportunities for the rehabilitation of fascists under the guise of reforms.

"People are questioning why, in the name of reform, the interim government is allowing fugitive accomplices of the fascist regime to flee the country while also working to reintegrate them," he said while virtually exchanging greetings with members of the Christian community at an Easter reunion event in Dhaka's Khamarbari today (9 May).

"The government is also trying to create grounds to subtly sow division within the unity of anti-autocratic or anti-fascist political parties through various issues," UNB reports, quoting Tarique.

The BNP leader said former president Abdul Hamid fled the country in a manner almost similar to that of Sheikh Hasina, who escaped on 5 August last year.

"The government is now claiming to have known nothing about Hamid's departure. The matter is increasingly raising doubts among people about the interim government's ability to fulfil its responsibilities."

Tarique, however, said their party has still continued to cooperate with and support the current interim government in every aspect with the aim of establishing a representative government accountable to people through public mandate.

Calling for unity and vigilance, he said, "Bangladesh does not belong to any individual or party – it belongs to the people. We must stay united to resist conspiracies and move the country forward from our respective positions."

He further stated that with the flight of the fascist regime from power, a window has opened for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

Reflecting on the nation's past, Tarique said the ideals of the Liberation War were never reflected during the Awami League's rule. "They turned the Constitution into a partisan tool. That is why constitutional reform is now imperative."

Speaking at the event, Tarique expressed sorrow, mentioning that RAB members abducted Dhaka city unit BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon in December 2013, leaving him disappeared.

"We still have not received any information about the whereabouts of our colleague. During the time of autocratic rule, it was not just Suman, but countless others across Dhaka and the entire country were abducted, tortured and murdered," he said.

The BNP leader noted that Sumon's sister, Sanjida Islam Tuli, founded a social organisation in 2014 called Maayer Daak (call of mother), bringing together the families of those who disappeared during the autocratic rule.

"This is a matter of great concern and astonishment that the police administration raided Sumon's sister's house last evening in an attempt to arrest him," he said.

Tarique said the police later claimed they were unaware of Sumon's disappearance.

"For the sake of argument, let's assume they were unaware of Sumon's case. But a former president, who served during the autocratic regime, was able to leave the country through the airport yesterday," he said.