Aspirations for non-communal Bangladesh not materialized yet: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday regretted that the freedom fighters’ desire to build a non-communal Bangladesh has not yet materialised even after 50 years of the country’s independence.

He said the people of all religions, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians fought together in 1971 to build a democratic and non-communal state that protects people’s rights.

“But it’s unfortunate that even after the 50 years of the country’s independence, we could not materialise our hopes and aspirations,” said the BNP leader.

Fakhrul came up with the remarks while exchanging greetings with the members of the Hindu community at a puja mandap at Keraniganj residence of BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on the occasion of Durga Puj, report UNB.

“Our right to freedom of expression and right to vote have been snatched. We’re celebrating the Durga Puja amid such a situation,” he said.

The BNP leader said Goddess Durga appeared on earth to establish peace, justice and truth defeating the demons, unfairness and standing up against injustice and ugliness.

“As the people across the country have been subjected to injustice by a monstrous regime, we’re taking a vow on the occasion of this festival to establish truth, justice and beauty and uphold social values by defeating the demons,” the BNP leader said.

“I’ve come here, on behalf of BNP and our chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman, to exchange pleasantries with you on the occasion of Durga Puja,” he told the Hindu community members.

Stating that the people of Bangladeshis believe in non-communalism, Fakhrul said, “We’ve long been working for turning Bangladesh into a non-communal country.”

He alleged that Awami League had worked in a planned way to destroy democracy and all the democratic institutions from the very beginning of the country’s birth.

“They’ve completely ruined all the democratic institutions over the last few years. They’ve unfairly convicted our leader Khaleda Zia in false cases,” the BNP leader said.

He said many leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies have been implicated in false cases by the government.