Bangla Press Desk: BNP Acting Secretary General and Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has stated that Sheikh Hasina—who has fled to a neighboring country—is inciting unrest from there, using the terrorists she left behind to set fire to garment factories and kill people.
He made these remarks on Thursday afternoon (November 5) at a public gathering held at the Jamiatul Falah Mosque grounds in Chittagong city, ahead of a grand rally marking 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day.'
Holding the Awami League responsible for the current instability in the garment sector, Rizvi noted that the government has already engaged in discussions regarding the legitimate demands of the workers and provided assurances concerning the wage board. He asserted that the actual workers are no longer involved in the protests; rather, those setting fire to police vehicles and beating protesters to death are the thugs and terrorists left behind by Sheikh Hasina.
"Among the 11 individuals recently arrested is a leader from the Jagannath University unit of the Chhatra League, who even posted on Facebook about his participation in the protests. This proves that the support and incitement are originating from the neighboring country."
Highlighting the corruption of the previous administration, he added that funds were looted and laundered from various financial institutions, including BASIC Bank and Sonali Bank. He further mentioned that the British government has confiscated a property worth £200 million belonging to a former minister and Member of Parliament from Chittagong. Sheikh Hasina is now attempting to incite terror and unrest in a bid to restore that 'reign of plunder.' However, the people of the country remain united today.
Reflecting on the significance of November 7, Rizvi stated that this day ensured the people's right to free speech, political participation, and freedom of the press. He pointed out that the Awami League, which held power from 1972 to 1975, had established a one-party dictatorship, effectively destroying democracy and press freedom. Following the events of August 15, 1975, it was Awami League leaders—including Khondaker Mostaq—who assumed power. Subsequently, after the stifling atmosphere that emerged following the coup led by Khaled Mosharraf, the combined surge of soldiers and the general public on November 7 restored the 'fresh air of democracy,' leading to Ziaur Rahman’s ascent to state power. Regarding the July mass uprising and the current political landscape, the Prime Minister’s political advisor stated that it was by uniting under the spirit of November 7th that the students and the public brought an end to Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year-long fascist regime. Subsequently, the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus was accepted by the entire nation—a man of great merit whom Sheikh Hasina had repeatedly humiliated through fabricated legal cases. Following this, the BNP ascended to power through a free and fair election.
The rally was presided over by Ershad Ullah, convener of the Chittagong Metropolitan BNP and Member of Parliament for the Chittagong-8 constituency, and moderated by Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman. Special guests who addressed the gathering included Mahbuber Rahman Shamim, Organizing Secretary of the BNP’s National Executive Committee and Administrator of the Chittagong District Council; Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Assistant Organizing Secretary and State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs; Habibur Rashid, State Minister for Railways; and Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Administrator of the Chittagong City Corporation.
Also present at the rally were Abul Hasem Bakkar, former Assistant Organizing Secretary of the BNP’s National Executive Committee; Sayed Al Noman, Member of Parliament for the Chittagong-10 constituency; Israfil Khosru, a member of the International Affairs Sub-committee; along with other national and local-level figures.
