Sheikh Hasina’s rival Khaleda Zia’s party is alarmed at her return to Bangladesh. It has accused Sheikh Hasina of plotting from India. Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s party BNP has organized protests across the country and demanded the arrest and prosecution of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close aides for the violence. Apart from this, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged opposition leaders and activists to form “peace brigades” in their respective areas and said that ‘dictator ruler’ Sheikh Hasina is conspiring with India to incite anarchy in the country. After the fall of Hasina government on August 5 in Bangladesh, more than 230 people have died in violent incidents across the country, with which the death toll during the three-week long violence has risen to 560. Sheikh Hasina is currently in India.
Speaking at the Milad and Doa Mahfil, he urged BNP leaders and activists to remain vigilant to prevent any new fascism from emerging in the country due to the current situation, the Dhaka Tribune reported. “We have fought a long battle. If you think our fight is over, you are wrong. The country is now in a state of turmoil. Sheikh Hasina, sitting in India, can take advantage of this opportunity at any time. She has already started hatching a conspiracy. It is our responsibility to oppose that conspiracy,” the BNP leader said. He said Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League will leave no stone unturned to rise again.
He alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League was talking about communalism and persecution of minority communities as part of its new conspiracy to destabilise the country. Addressing BNP leaders and workers, Fakhrul said, “It is your responsibility to form peace brigades in your respective areas to ensure their (minorities’) safety. You will protect all the places of worship, temples and churches of the minorities… You will also have to ensure the safety of their business establishments, their lives and their property.”
He also reminded party leaders and workers of the recent call of its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to shun destruction, revenge and retribution and build society with love and peace. As part of its nationwide programme, the BNP organised a Dua and Milad Mahfil at the ground floor of its Naya Paltan central office to mark Khaleda Zia’s 80th birthday. “On the occasion of our leader’s birthday, let us all pray to Allah that we can move ahead by maintaining the prestige of BNP established by martyred President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia and Tariq Rahman,” Fakhrul said.
He expressed concern over negative news on social media and in newspapers. He feared new conspiracies and emerging fascism that could deprive people of their right to vote. “We must remain vigilant in this regard. We need to move forward with unity, tolerance and discipline,” the BNP leader said. “Do you think we have won? No, this struggle must continue. If not, we will face significant danger. We have defeated a fascist regime and must remain vigilant to prevent new fascism from emerging,” he said.