BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned where ordinary citizens willing to participate in the referendum will find the opportunity to express their opinions. He alleged that even if someone disagrees with any one of the four questions in the referendum, there is no option to say ‘no’. According to him, this has effectively blocked the path for citizens to express their genuine views.
Speaking at an event in the capital’s Shyamoli on Saturday (15 November) afternoon, Rizvi said that the four questions included in the referendum do not allow any opportunity for dissent. If people do not agree, how they will express that disagreement is not mentioned in the referendum. He added that the questions should have been formulated in a way that ordinary people could easily understand.
Rizvi further alleged that although people across the country are suffering in various ways, the state has taken no effective action to ease their hardships. He said that since independence, the state has shown limited attention to public service activities. In his opinion, instead of being preoccupied with the referendum or the PR system, ensuring the fundamental rights of the people is now essential.
Regarding the BNP-supported July Charter, Rizvi said it was not presented properly before the nation. It should have been outlined more clearly.
He also claimed that attempts are being made to incite sabotage in the country by bringing large sums of money from India. According to Rizvi, the Awami League wants to create a dire situation in the country. He further said that the trial of Sheikh Hasina is a matter for the court, and people simply want justice.
Rizvi alleged that the situation in the country is being deliberately muddied. He claimed that the ‘fallen autocrat’ is engaging in various conspiracies from a neighbouring country. Referring to incidents of arson attacks on vehicles and violence in Dhaka, Gazipur and other places, he described these as the ‘old culture’ of the Awami League. According to him, had the government uprooted the fangs of fascism from the very beginning, such incidents would not have taken place.
The event was attended by Atiqur Rahman Rumon, convener of Amra BNP Paribar, along with other leaders and activists.
SS