Rizvi says BNP leaders, activists could not work freely under fascist regime

BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said the party's leaders and activists could not carry out their regular political activities freely during the fascist Awami League regime.

"We have passed through a sorrowful and dark time. During the previous fascist era, those who held opposing views or belonged to opposition parties had no right to live," he said.

Rizvi made the remarks while inaugurating a house built by 'Amra BNP Poribar' for the family of martyred Jubo Dal leader Md Harunur Rashid, who was killed in police gunfire.

Harun was killed in police gunfire on December 4, 2013, during a Jubo Dal procession on SSK Road in Feni town.

Rizvi said the country had passed through a period when people could be subjected to enforced disappearance or killed at any time.

"We had to traverse a path through such a terribly brutal reign," he said.

Referring to the brutal activities of Sheikh Hasina, Rizvi said, "To consolidate her own power, Sheikh Hasina did not spare even school-going children from being killed. Harun was another victim of that repression"

"Harun's wish was to restore democracy. But they did not let him live. He was killed only for an ideology. Harun did not launder money. Harun did not embezzle the money. He sacrificed his own life for freedom of speech and the establishment of multi-party democracy," Rizvi said.

At the event, the keys to the new house were handed over to Harun's wife, Bibi Johra. His elder daughter Majeda Akter and son Tohidul Islam were also present.

Later, Rizvi and other party leaders and activists visited Harun's grave.

Earlier, a commemorative meeting was held at 12:30pm at Bhor Bazar in the district to pay tribute to Harun. The district BNP organized the meeting.

District BNP Convener Sheikh Farid Bahar chaired the meeting, while its Member Secretary Alal Uddin Alal moderated it.

Feni-2 constituency MP Professor Jaynal Abedin VP, Narsingdi-5 constituency MP Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul and Feni-1 constituency MP Munshi Rafiqul Alam Majnu, among others, attended the meeting.