People will resist if fascism emerges again: Rizvi

Highlighting the spirit of the Amr Ekushey, BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (21 February) said that people of the country will again take to the streets if any fascism and dictatorship arise.

"The spirit of Ekushey February is an indelible consciousness that will never fade. If fascism or any form of dictatorship arises again, the spirit of 21 February will inspire the youth and the people of this country to take to the streets in protest," he said.

He made the remark while talking to the media after placing a wreath in honour of the Language Movement Martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Rizvi said the spirit of 21 February, which emerged from the Language Movement, is a revolutionary force that has been guiding them (nation) for generations. It cannot be destroyed or diluted.

Remembering the history of Ekushey, the BNP leader said it was the first step towards national independence. The nation gradually moved towards the War of Independence through the language movement.

He said, "Whenever we found ourselves under the grip of a dictatorship, country's people were deprived of democracy and lived in prisons, the year '52 inspired us, urging us to fight against tyranny. Over the past 17 years, we fought tirelessly, many leaders and activists were disappeared and many were killed in crossfire. Finally the people led by the youth emerged victorious, forcing the oppressive, corrupt government to flee."

Reminding the responsibility of the interim government, Rizvi said holding a free and fair election is the responsibility of the current government.

"Public must be assured, particularly the youth who have never had the chance to vote, that they will be able to cast votes. For 17 years, votes were manipulated by the past government. It is necessary to restore trust among the people by holding a transparent, universally acceptable election. This is the government's responsibility," he said.

The BNP leader prioritised the national elections over local government elections, saying that the interim government should focus on returning power to the people.

"The people, through their free and fair vote, will decide when local government elections or other elections should be held," he said, emphasising that during BNP's tenure, fair elections were held as opposition candidates won in the city corporation elections in Chattogram, Sylhet and Dhaka.

Rizvi also talked on rumours circulating on social media regarding BNP leadership. "Some people on Facebook are claiming that if BNP comes to power in the next election, Tarique Rahman will become the Prime Minister, and Begum Khaleda Zia will become the President," Rizvi said.

Denying such remarks, he said this may be personal opinion but it is not the official stance of the BNP.

Earlier, at around 6:30am, Rizvi led a procession from near the Balaka Cinema Hall in New Market to Azimpur graveyard where they paid their respects at the graves of the language martyrs.

They placed wreaths and offered prayers before proceeding to the Central Shaheed Minar. The BNP leaders and activists wore black badges to show their solidarity.

At the Shaheed Minar, Rizvi and other senior party members paid their respects by placing wreaths at the monument.

Among others, party leaders Aman Ullah Aman, Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Nazim Uddin Alam, Mir Sarafat Ali Sopu, Aminul Haq, Ishrak Hossain, Monayem Munna, Nurul Islam Nayan, and leaders from various affiliated organisations were present.