C T Online Desk: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said the country’s democracy will remain at risk until a government elected through the direct votes of the people is established.
Saying that the upcoming national election presents a crucial opportunity to build a safer Bangladesh, he noted that although the autocratic regime has fallen, conspiracies against democracy persist.
Tarique made these remarks while addressing the biennial conference of the Shri Shri Janmashtami Udjapan Parishad, Bangladesh Central Committee, held at JM Sen Hall in Chattogram city in the afternoon.
He urged the Hindu community to seize this opportunity by supporting and cooperating with the BNP in the election.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to equality, Tarique said that every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, religion, caste, belief, or skepticism, has equal rights under the BNP’s policy. He stressed that security is a right for all, cautioning that neither minorities nor the majority can be safe unless justice and the rule of law are upheld.
Drawing from Ramayana, Tarique said Shri Krishna descended on earth over five thousand years ago to overthrow the tyrant Kansa in Mathura. Similarly, he said, Bangladesh had endured over a decade of oppression under an autocratic regime, which was ultimately overthrown by a mass uprising involving people from all walks of life.
However, he warned that the regime’s allies continue to conspire.
Addressing the Hindu community, he urged them to recognise the reality that a certain faction has politically exploited them for the past 17 years, calling such awareness an important realisation.
BNP National Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain also spoke at the event, which was chaired by Pradeep Chakraborty.
