Dhaka, February 6: Hasnat Abdullah, convener of Students Against Discrimination, warned media outlets against broadcasting Sheikh Hasina’s speech today, saying it would be seen as facilitating her agenda.
“Even now, we see hesitation in naming the real perpetrators. Some media still refer to her as a ‘former prime minister’ — is she just a former leader, or is she the ‘Butcher of this Motherland’?” Hasnat said addressing the media.
He said this at a press conference today held at the office of the Students Against Discrimination in the capital’s Banglamotor.
Jatiya Nagorik Committee and the Students Against Discrimination arranged the press conference regarding the launch of a public opinion campaign titled “New Bangladesh Through Your Eyes”.
Hasina’s claims are nothing but a distortion of facts
Terming Sheikh Hasina as the “butcher” of Bangladesh, Hasnat said, “She killed 2,000 people to hold onto power. Yet, the media does not call her a fascist murderer. If you fail to do so, you are still keeping alive the pro-Awami media structure.”
He further warned that there would be no rehabilitation of Hasina or fascism in Bangladesh.
“If any media outlet broadcasts Hasina’s speech, it will be assumed that they are still facilitating her and have taken a stance against the aspirations of the people,” added Hasnat.
He added that the mass uprising occurred because the people rejected the old order of so-called civility.
“After August 5, Sheikh Hasina and the Chhatra League men are no longer relevant in the country. If they were, they wouldn’t have had to flee that day,” said Hasnat.
Later, Hasnat Abdullah posted a cryptic message on his Facebook page, “Tonight, Bangladesh will get rid of the pilgrimage site of fascism.”
Meanwhile, Students Against Discrimination, on its verified Facebook page, said, “If any statement of murderer, mass killer and fascist Hasina is broadcast, that media will have to take the consequences.”
A key BNP leader, Salahuddin Ahmed, said today Awami League will not be allowed in politics as the people have rejected it.
“The people have rejected Awami League’s fascist politics. AL cannot continue politics under its current name. This is the message we are spreading now,” said the BNP standing committee member at a discussion on “National Unity and Current Reality” organised by the Regional Editors’ Council at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
The government is using the police to prevent Awami League from taking to the streets, he added.
He asked, “How long can you stop Awami League using the police? You say Awami League is unwanted in this country and should not engage in politics, but has the government taken any legal steps to address that demand? No, they haven’t.”
“Let the judicial process determine whether Awami League can participate in politics or contest elections. The constitution has provisions for this; the law must be enforced accordingly,” he added.
He also urged the interim government to announce a clear electoral roadmap after discussions with political parties. He emphasised that the nation would not accept any strategy that delays the parliamentary election.
Salahuddin said, “If the parliamentary election is delayed, the government must justify this delay to the people. Have they provided any justification? Have they listened to our (BNP) statements? There is still time, and I believe the government should present an electoral roadmap after consulting all stakeholders.”
However, Salahuddin questioned the government’s approach to the election process.
The BNP leader reiterated his party’s stance that the national election could be held within July-August this year.
He also said, “In fact, the election could be held even earlier. However, we want to participate in the polls after necessary legal, institutional, and election-oriented reforms are implemented.”
“The government should discuss with all stakeholders, including political parties, and carry out legal reforms. If institutional reforms are needed afterwards, they must be completed. We know how much time these processes will take,” he said.
The voter list is expected to be completed by March 2, he said adding, “Delimitation and other election-related tasks can also be carried out simultaneously without any delay.”
He also urged the interim government to remain neutral in organising the elections.
Responding to the criticism about BNP’s focus on elections, Salahuddin said, “Some people ask why we talk so much about elections. But what else should we discuss? If they have alternative suggestions, they should share them. But they don’t say anything.”
Addressing the interim government’s performance in six months, he said the government earlier asked all reform commissions to submit reports by December 31 and would hold discussions with political parties and experts in January.
“January has passed, and today is February 5. Now they are saying discussions will begin by mid-February. I don’t know how long time these discussions will take,” he said.
Salahuddin pointed out that the new group had announced its plans to form a political and there is discussion that they should be given time to prepare for the elections.
About Sheikh Hasina’s associates in the advisory council, he said, “Sheikh Hasina’s associates are also part of your advisory council. We had advised you (chief adviser) to remove them, but you did not act on it. These individuals hold influential positions at the highest levels of the administration. We warned that the progress would be difficult as long as these collaborators of fascism remain in place.”
“You have implemented some of our suggestions, but the progress is too slow. We are unclear about the reforms you plan to carry out,” he added.
“The cabinet secretary retired only after his contract expired naturally. You (the interim government) failed to remove him. Did he serve your purpose during those 2 months and 5 days? Or did he continue to serve the fascist agenda?” he questioned.
The BNP leader alleged that collaborators of fascism still occupy key positions at the secretariat and field-level administration.
“I do not know how you (chief adviser) plan to succeed under these circumstances.”
BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon has alleged that some advisers of the interim government are engaging in luxury, similar to past autocrats.
He made the remarks at a blanket distribution event at Balur Maath near Pachgaon Bazar in Tongibari upazila today. The event was organised by former Chhatra Dal leader Kamrul Islam Tapan.
Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.
“The interim government in power today is the one we all supported. However, it is unfortunate that despite promising change, it is now indulging in luxury like past autocratic regimes. Some advisors are leading lavish lifestyles, contradicting the government’s commitment to reform,” he said.
Ripon further said that some advisors are using multiple luxury cars worth millions of taka.
“This is not expected from the interim government. If this continues, the reform agenda will suffer. We urge the chief adviser to remove those involved in such extravagance; otherwise, the country may face a deep crisis, and national security will be at risk,” he added.
The event was conducted by Jahirul Islam Jahir Bepari, senior vice president of Tongibari upazila BNP.
END
