BNP Senior Leader Accuses Betrayal of the Spirit of the July 24 Uprising

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that the spirit of the martyrs of the July 24 uprising has been betrayed.

The remarks were made on Saturday, 16 August, during a discussion session held at the National Press Club auditorium to mark the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising.

Rizvi stated: “One of the foremost examples of people willing to sacrifice their lives in Bangladeshi politics is the July mass uprising. However, the ideals of the martyrs of the uprising have been betrayed.”

Criticising the recent elections, he added: “There was not a single honest and courageous intellectual in the country to speak truthfully. Through Sheikh Hasina’s media and intellectuals, the BNP has long been misrepresented as a terrorist organisation.”

Referring to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, he said that although she was detained in the country under false cases, abroad she was still given the title ‘Mother of Democracy’.

Rizvi further alleged: “Numerous allegations are being directed against various advisers, which are mere repetitions of Sheikh Hasina’s corruption. Workers of a specific party are used for personal gain.”

He added: “One conscious leader was removed, and another group of conscious leaders was brought in.”

He urged all to remain vigilant in protecting genuine democracy.

At the session, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moin Khan said: “Out of lust for power, the Awami League tried to inflict death upon the people of Bangladesh. Even before the elections, the country was destabilised through the blueprint for creating a winners’ list. Over the past 15 years, more than 100,000 fake cases have been filed against BNP leaders and activists.”

Speaking in the context of the July movement, he added: “History has repeated itself. The interim government was supposed to assist in forming a democratic government through free and fair elections. The BNP has adhered to this principle.”