Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) held a procession and a rally in Dhaka on Thursday evening, protesting subversive activities by banned organisations and alleged conspiracies to destabilise the country.
The procession, organised by JCD’s central committee, began at the Central Shaheed Minar in the afternoon and moved towards Shahbagh, where leaders and activists joined a rally on the evening.
BNP and JCD leaders addressed the gathering, discussing recent incidents of arson and explosions and the country’s political situation.
Speaking at the rally, BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that recent incidents of arson and bomb attacks were being carried out as part of a planned operation.
“Those who are terrorists, those who are setting fire, those who are bombing, are enemies of Bangladesh, enemies of democracy,” he said, urging people to remain vigilant against such activities.
Rizvi claimed that incidents of arson and explosions were being organised in a coordinated manner.
“Bamboo is being set on fire, CNG is being burned; this is happening in a very planned manner,” he said.
Referring to statements allegedly given by people detained by police, Rizvi claimed that they had received instructions from a specific telephone number to carry out such activities.
He said the instructions included reporting that a bomb had been found at a particular location, detonating it, taking photographs and sending the pictures to a designated number. He further claimed that those involved had been promised payment for carrying out the activities.
Rizvi also said that the telephone number was from a neighbouring country and questioned who was behind the instructions.
“Whose telephone number is it? Who is giving the orders for these terrorist activities?” he asked.
He called for a thorough investigation into whether the incidents were part of a wider conspiracy and urged people to remain alert amid the current situation.
Rizvi also mentioned the country’s economic situation, saying the government elected with the people’s mandate did not want to create additional difficulties for them. He referred to challenges arising from higher international fuel prices, the gas crisis and pressure from international financial institutions.
He said the government had indicated that fuel prices could be adjusted if the supply situation improved.
Rizvi also praised Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, saying, “The government of national interest is Tarique Rahman’s government, the government for the people is Tarique Rahman’s government, the government for the independence of the country is Tarique Rahman’s government.”
He said highways did not belong exclusively to any individual or group and urged leaders and activists of nationalist forces to remain active on the streets to establish what he described as the country’s democratic rights.
At the rally, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said there would be no scope for the fascist forces to regain a foothold in Bangladesh.
He warned against attempts to rehabilitate members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and Juba League through different means.
“We will directly resist those who are cultural fascists, who want to rehabilitate Bangladesh with the help of Chhatra League-Jubo League terrorists. No hideout for fascists will be allowed to be established in the country,” Rakib said.
Addressing opposition political parties, the JCD president urged them not to repeat the political roles they played in 1996 and 1986.
“We are already proposing a correction. You are playing the role of 1996 and 1986. I condemn you. Corrections will be made, otherwise the students and the public will build resistance,” he said.
Earlier, JCD leaders and activists gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar before taking part in the procession towards Shahbagh.
BNP Central Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, and Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee also attended the programme.
