BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has alleged that the Director General (DG) of the Islamic Foundation is compelling officials and employees to join a particular political faction as rukun (members) in order to keep their jobs.

On Saturday, 16 August, during a discussion and prayer meeting at the National Press Club organised by former students of Dhaka College to mark the anniversary of the July–August Uprising and the Fall of Fascism, Rizvi made the accusations while addressing the gathering as the chief guest.

Allegations Raised by Rizvi

• Rizvi stated: “Wherever we go today, we hear that specific partisan individuals are placed in government offices. The DCs and SPs are not doing administrative work; they are doing party work. Even the DG of the Islamic Foundation has reportedly said: ‘If you are not a rukun, you will not keep your job.’ This is not fabricated; it is the truth. Several officials have told me directly.”
• He questioned: “Is this why Mughda, Abu Saeed, Wasim and others laid down their lives facing bullets from police? Did they sacrifice themselves for such a terrifying, one-party ideology?”

Criticism of Authoritarian Practices

Rizvi further criticised the ruling system, comparing it to earlier authoritarian measures:

• He noted that during Sheikh Hasina’s time, dissent was suppressed through cases and repressive actions.
• Now, he alleged, similar monopolistic thinking is being imposed under the guise of religion.
• He emphasised: “Even though elections are yet to take place and the people’s choice is undecided, a message is being spread that to secure a government job, one must become a rukun of a particular party. Sheikh Hasina may have fled, but her ghosts and spirits have returned in another form.”

Call for Genuine Democracy

The BNP leader reiterated: “We want a democracy where the people will elect their representatives through votes, and those chosen will take state power. That is why we are struggling. That is why so many young people sacrificed their lives. Yet again conspiracies are underway one ideology departing, only for another to take over. This is not the aspiration of the people.”

Meeting Details

The event was chaired by Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, President of the organising body.
Other speakers included: