Calling upon own party leaders and activists to stay away from acts of repression, or else the BNP would meet the fate same as Awami League, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday.
鈥業f we follow the footsteps of Awami League, will we be able to stay in the country? We will meet the same consequences,鈥� Fakhrul said while addressing a rally at an Eidgah ground in Haripur upazila of Thakurgaon.
Accusing Awami League of setting up of secret detention centre to torture BNP and Jamaat men, Fakhrul said that the fascist and autocratic Hasina-led government killed at least 2,000 people, while many others lost their limbs and eyes in the recent student-people movement.
Urging party leaders and activists to win people鈥檚 support by shunning the path of repression and oppression and work to safeguard the student-led movement鈥檚 achievements, he said that Sheikh Hasina had unleashed acts of repression on BNP and Jamaat members for the past 16 years, but now, she found herself in a pitiful situation after fleeing to India.
Hasina was forced to flee the country, while the repressors and oppressors had been sent to jail, he said, adding that minority communities must be protected 鈥榚ven with our lives.鈥�
鈥榃e must ensure that they [Hindus] can celebrate Durga Puja in a festive and peaceful manner,鈥� he said and having referred to the teachings of the Holy Quran, added, 鈥榳hen limits are crossed, there is no escape.鈥�
鈥楾hose who ruled with arrogance are now seeking refuge in India. Those who imprisoned us are now themselves imprisoned. We must take a lesson from this, as nothing is possible outside Allah鈥檚 command,鈥� he observed.
Fakhrul jokingly remarked that Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader had said he would never flee. 鈥榃here is he now? Will he take shelter at my home?鈥�
鈥楾he safety of the Hindu community is our responsibility. We must not neglect this duty. You must ensure, like vigilant guards, that the Hindu community can celebrate Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere,鈥� he said.
He also sought prayers for Khaleda Zia, adding that Tarique Zia had kept the BNP united and led it successfully.
鈥楧o not lose the victory that has come through hardship. We want to live as good neighbours with India, but we will not hesitate to counter it if there is wrongdoing,鈥� he said.
Presided over by Haripur upazila unit BNP president Jamal Uddin, other local and central leaders also addressed the rally.
