BNP Leader Tuhin: Fascist Regime Has Devastated Nation for 18 Years
Nasir Uddin Shah Milon
Engineer Shahrin Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, nephew of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, former President of Nilphamari District BNP, and former Member of Parliament, stated, “For the past eighteen years, this fascist mafia government has squandered resources. They have wasted lives through killings, destroyed the economy of the country, and looted its wealth. They have dismantled various institutions of this country. They have destroyed the electoral system and the judiciary. There is no sector they haven’t ruined.”
He made these remarks on Saturday (May 17) during a public reception organized by Nilphamari District BNP to mark his return to the country and home district after 18 years. He said, “Today we hear calls for reform. But brothers and sisters, remember that our Acting Chairman Mr. Tarique Rahman had already placed a 31-point reform proposal before you. Our BNP leadership has already proposed reforms. Just as we are cooperating against this government, we urge the general public to do the same. We must unite the BNP’s reform agenda with those of other parties, condense them swiftly, and bring the country back to a democratic path.”
Referring to a specific political party, Tuhin said, “We all want this country to be run through fair elections, by elected public representatives. Our leaders have said that elections must be held by December. But now we’re witnessing conflicting opinions and statements within the government itself. Certain quarters seem more interested in attacking the BNP than addressing national issues. They now claim that BNP is extorting people, but when others collect money, they call it 'donations.' Who has taken over the banks? We see in newspapers that major banks and institutions are being occupied by people from a particular party.”
On the subject of elections, he addressed the government directly, saying, “The government claims it is making reforms, claims to be removing discrimination. I myself am a victim of their discrimination. But they have yet to address this issue seriously. We hope the government will take the matter of eliminating inequality more seriously. At the very least, they must be serious about elections, and we want the hopes of the people to be fulfilled through democratic means.”
Referring to a recently banned political party, he added, “You know that a certain party has recently been banned from all political activities pending the conclusion of judicial proceedings. Many of their activists and supporters may not be bad people. But due to the misconduct of their top leaders, they too are now prohibited from political engagement. However, we do not want any more political parties to be banned in Bangladesh. We want democratic practices to continue and for people to be able to exercise their rights.”
Highlighting the neglect of the Rangpur Division, he said, “We no longer want to be marginalized here in Nilphamari and Rangpur. People in this region have long been left behind. It’s unfortunate that people from Noakhali, Comilla, and Dhaka progress and get good jobs, while our children are left behind. Why don’t we have large hospitals or universities here? Most districts in Bangladesh now have large universities. Don’t we have the right to this too? If we want to claim our rights, we must make the right decisions.”
At the public reception event, Nilphamari District BNP President A.K.M. Alomgir presided, and General Secretary Zahurul Alam moderated. Special guests included BNP Joint Organizing Secretaries Abdul Khaleq and Aminul Islam. Leaders and activists from all units and associate bodies of the district BNP welcomed Shahrin Islam Chowdhury Tuhin with flowers and honorary crests.
