Rizvi urges criticism within a democratic environment

BNP Acting Secretary General and the Prime Minister's Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said everyone has the right to criticize the government in a democratic environment. However, instead of making sweeping allegations against the government and launching personal attacks, the real causes of the ongoing crisis in the country should be taken into consideration.

He said the opposition can strongly criticize the government both inside and outside parliament. It has carried out various programmes, including long marches, but there has been no incident of the government or anyone on its behalf obstructing such programmes.

Rizvi made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled "Role of the Government and Opposition in Establishing a Democratic State" as the chief guest.

Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote organized the discussion at the National Press Club this noon.

Regarding the adjustment of fuel prices, Rizvi said Bangladesh has to purchase diesel at around Tk 205 per litre, while it was sold to consumers at Tk 115 per litre. As a result, there was a loss of around Tk 90 per litre. Even after the recent price adjustment, he said, there would still be a loss of around Tk 70 per litre.

He said the price of diesel in Bangladesh is still lower than in Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India. Rizvi also claimed that the price adjustment was made considering the rise in oil prices in the international market.

When the price of a product is higher in one place and lower in another, the product naturally moves from the place where its price is lower to the place where it is higher. A similar flow could also be created in the case of fuel oil, he added.

Referring to various recent incidents of violence and arson, the acting Secretary General said incidents such as setting fire to buses and trains and explosions of cocktails have occurred in different parts of the country. Those involved in such incidents should be exposed before the public.

Those who are organizing long marches against rising commodity prices or extortion should also organize long marches, protest meetings or processions against such destructive activities, he added.

Regarding misinformation about government activities, the veteran BNP leader said that such misinformation could obstruct legitimate government activities or the functioning of the government.

He said that efforts were currently underway to reorganize the country's banking and financial sectors. Banks had been merged one after another and depositors were receiving their money through allocations from Bangladesh Bank.

Rizvi further said remittance inflows had increased recently and the country's foreign exchange reserves had also increased significantly compared to the past. As a result, Bangladesh has gained the capacity to purchase gas and fuel oil.

Political Assistant to the Prime Minister Md Rashed Khan attended the discussion as a special guest. Barrister Nasim Khan, chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, presided over the programme, while the alliance's spokesperson S M Shahadat moderated it. Central leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote also spoke on the occasion.