Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Mirza Abbas on Sunday criticised those advocating for ‘burying’ the 1972 constitution, emphasising that it was written with the blood of three million martyrs from the War of Independence in 1971.
Speaking at an event, organised by the BNP’s Dhaka South city unit in the capital’s Naya Paltan area, Abbas said that they felt deeply hurt when someone spoke against the constitution.
‘If there are flaws, they can be amended. Statements, like ‘burying’ it, are fascist and reminiscent of undemocratic rhetoric,’ he said.
Mirza Abbas urged student leaders to choose their words carefully, noting, ‘The nation looks up to you. We do not expect such language from future leaders. Address the misuse of the constitution rather than calling for its abolition. Cutting off the head is not a solution for a
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Abbas also called for accountability, stating, ‘Those who have misused the constitution must face consequences. The constitution itself is not the problem; its misuse is.’
Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused both foreign and local political entities, including some who opposed the War of Independence, of attempting to exploit the current political scenario for their gain.
‘Now, not only a neighbouring country is spreading propaganda and misinformation and trying to stigmatize [the BNP], but also one or two political parties from within the country are trying to fish in troubled waters to make their political gains,’ Rizvi said after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, alongside members of Jatiyatabadi Rickshaw-Van-Auto Sramik Dal.
He criticised Jamaat-e-Islami leaders for remarks suggesting that one ‘extortionist party’ had been replaced by another, accusing Jamaat of attempting to defame the BNP while benefiting from political changeovers.
‘Do we not understand who you mean by this? The day after August 5, we saw how you took control of the Islamic banks. People witnessed it, but now you are talking tall.’
‘After August 5, Jamaat followers took control of Islamic banks and other sectors. They secretly manipulated tenders and grabbed terminals and CNG stands,’ he alleged.
‘Banks were looted during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, but many banks have also been taken over by the successors of S Alam after August 5. The followers of an Islamist political party grabbed Islami Bank after the political changeover in August this year.’
‘The party is now attempting to defame BNP, even though its followers have taken control of various things, including terminals and CNG stands, and have been involved in tender manipulation secretly,’ he said.
‘The people of the country are well aware of which party is associated with sharp weapons and the cutting of tendons.’
Rizvi also slammed Jamaat for betrayal, stating, ‘Islam does not condone repeated betrayals. BNP has always stood firm for democracy and never bowed its head, from 1971 to now.’
‘You [Jamaat] do politics in the name of Islam. But Islam does not condone repeated betrayal. BNP has never backed down from its commitment to people. From 1971 to August 5, BNP has never bowed its head down on the issue of democracy,’ he added.
Rizvi concluded by condemning Jamaat’s attempts to link BNP to criminal activities, saying, ‘The people know which party is truly associated with violence and extortion.’
