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BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday cautioned that the recent actions of certain political parties, who once marched alongside the anti-fascist movement, may now be creating a situation that undermines the rights and opportunities of people.
Virtually addressing the ‘Hindu Representative Council 2025’, he also said the interim government’s main responsibility is to establish a democratic administration through free and fair elections, not to serve any party’s interests, UNB reports.
“The role of some of our allies in the anti-fascist street movement is perhaps creating a situation that could destroy the rights and opportunities of many people in the country, including yours and mine. If the country becomes unstable, it may pave the way for the rehabilitation of the fallen, defeated, fugitive fascist forces,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the interim government and pro-democratic, anti-fascist forces to remain vigilant, suggesting that just as some opposition members once used covert strategies to survive under fascist rule, the defeated fascist forces might now be using similar secret tactics to obstruct the country’s path to democracy.
“The defeated fugitive forces of August 5 should not be allowed to use any party as a cover to secretly create instability in the country. To protect against such covert tactics, the main strategy is to maintain and uphold a national anti-fascist unity,” Tarique said.
He said BNP, therefore, remains committed to cooperation and understanding with the interim government and its partners in the anti-fascism movement.
Matua, a Hindu religious sect founded by Harichand Thakur, arranged the programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh.
Describing BNP as a peaceful, tolerant and people-oriented political party, Tarique said respecting different views and maintaining a positive attitude towards differing parties and opinions is part of BNP’s political culture. “BNP’s politics is aimed at ensuring the people’s political and economic empowerment.”
In a fascism-free Bangladesh, the BNP leader said the interim government’s main focus should be on establishing a democratic administration accountable to the people through free and fair elections.
“Certainly, it is not the interim government’s role to implement any party’s interests, and that is why, instead of putting any pressure on the government, the BNP considers issuing notes of dissent in areas of differing opinions as the proper way,” he said.
Pointing at the Hindu community, he said the interim government has already announced that the national election will be held in February next year. “Through this election, you will freely exercise your right to vote and choose your representatives.”
Tarique assured that BNP has already outlined a detailed plan for building a harmonious and prosperous Bangladesh.
He said if given the opportunity to form the next government, it will introduce ‘Family Cards’ for 5 million low-income families, to be issued in the name of the female heads of households, as part of its poverty reduction programme.
Tarique said BNP also plans to provide ‘Farmers’ Cards’ to small and marginal farmers to help them gradually become economically self-reliant.
“BNP’s vision is clear — a democratic Bangladesh where every citizen, regardless of religion or background, can live with dignity, freedom, and equal opportunity,” he said.
The BNP leader said only justice and the rule of law can ensure the security of people of the country, irrespective of their religion, class, or political identity.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party wants to build a non-communal, progressive, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh as dreamt by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
He said the Matua community wants to live with dignity, and BNP wants to ensure that people of all communities can live in the country with equal rights and dignity, regardless of their caste or creed.
Fakhrul sought the support of the Matua community members for BNP in the next national election, so the party can receive a mandate to form the government.