“BNP Ready to Shed Blood Again for Democracy if Necessary”: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the BNP, said that the BNP is ready to give its blood again for democracy if necessary. He said the fascist government — not only “Hasina” but a “monster Hasina” — has destroyed everything and wrecked the country. He claimed that BNP has always fought for democracy and that in 1990 students and the people took to the streets for democratic rule.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting held at the Engineering Institute auditorium on Friday (October 10) at 10:00 a.m., Fakhrul said that over the past 15 years there have been movements against autocracy under the leadership of Begum Zia and Tarique Rahman. He alleged that cases were filed against 6 million (60 lakh) activists, 20,000 leaders and activists were killed, and more than 1,799 BNP members were disappeared.

He added that despite so many sacrifices, women and children continued to be killed. He said a path has been paved to return to a democratic system, and the only way to achieve that is through a properly held election that forms a representative government.

The BNP leader said that no matter how many reform proposals are offered or how many intellectuals speak, democracy will not be established until a government is elected through proper elections. He laughed off claims that BNP is against reforms, saying BNP was born through reform — reforms began under Zia’s leadership and are an ongoing process. He warned that false propaganda against BNP will not succeed.

Commenting on election symbols, he said that if an authority refuses to give one symbol, another will drop it — implying BNP has not obstructed anyone. He questioned why there is controversy over BNP’s symbol (the “sheaf of paddy”), saying symbol allocation is the Election Commission’s business. He claimed the controversy exists because the sheaf of paddy is unbeatable and enemies of Bangladesh want to stop it; that is why they are conspiring about the symbol.

He chanted slogans asking, “Which symbol? The sheaf of paddy!” and urged that the sheaf of paddy must prevail.

Fakhrul stressed that democracy is not achieved by a few days of showy activity; experience and sacrifice are needed, and parties must reach out to the people. Reiterating BNP’s demand for elections in the declared timeframe (February), he warned that if elections are not held at the announced time, they will not accept them.

He also said that Bangladeshi photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam was detained by Israeli forces, and the BNP is demanding his release. He called on the government to act quickly to secure Shahidul Alam’s freedom.

Warning that one party is trying to capture the bureaucracy for its own pocket, he said BNP will not accept elections if the administration and Election Commission are not neutral during the election period. He urged people not to create unnecessary controversy over the sheaf of paddy symbol, and said that reforms cannot be created by law alone — democracy can only be established by forming a government elected through free and fair elections.