In the past 16 years, no young person in the country has been able to sleep in peace: Rizvi

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

Rangpur Bureau: Strongly criticising the proportional voting system, BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “What is the need for proportional voting? This system will not allow the emergence of grassroots leaders, nor will it nurture leadership. We support traditional democracy, where legitimate voters elect their local representatives.”

He made these remarks on Thursday morning (July 3) while addressing a voluntary blood donation and blood grouping program in front of the party office at the Grand Hotel intersection in Rangpur city.

Rizvi stated, “A one-eyed monster has been ousted. In July and August, the student masses fought to survive 16 years of horror. During these 16 years, young people could not sleep peacefully at home. Many people, including BNP members, were subjected to murder and enforced disappearance. We had to endure these 16 years. No one could escape Sheikh Hasina’s grip. Abu Sayeed shed blood.”

He further added, “A person who worked alongside the people for years and earned leadership will not receive votes in this system; instead, the vote goes to the party. Then the party will select MPs from its list—this will push the country further towards authoritarianism. In a country of 180 million with 120 million voters, why is such a voting system being proposed? People have shed blood, sacrificed lives, and endured years in prison for democracy—yet today that very democracy is under question.”

Rizvi continued, “For the past 16 years, no young person in the country has been able to sleep peacefully. It was a daily reality—who would be abducted next, whose bloodied corpse would be found by the banks of the Teesta, Ganges, or Shitalakkhya? We had to survive this horror. No one was spared from Sheikh Hasina’s repression. To ensure these bloodthirsty forces never return, democratic forces must unite.”

The BNP leader also said, “Democracy means the freedom to express opinions and criticise each other openly. But in the greater interest of the nation, we can all stand united. Despite unimaginable repression over the last 16 years, including enforced disappearances, killings, and torture, BNP has remained united and unbroken. The party has never compromised in its fight for democracy.”

BNP remains resilient across the country. For 16 years, our sleep has been murdered, and our leaders have endured thousands of lawsuits and imprisonments. We have millions of supporters across Bangladesh. Until the 5th of this month, their chain of killings has continued, and the public has witnessed it. They have looted banks. This woman [Sheikh Hasina] has destroyed everything in Bangladesh.”

Addressing party leaders and activists, Rizvi said, “No member of any BNP wing should be involved in extortion or illegal land grabbing. The behaviour of BNP activists must not cause distress to ordinary people. Everyone must ensure that people receive justice from the BNP. If anyone is found involved in such misdeeds, the party will immediately take action—there will be no compromise.”

Also present at the event were Dr. Zahid Hossain, Central Vice President of the Volunteer Wing; Dr. Awal, Central Vice President of the Student Wing; Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Don, Member Secretary of Rangpur City BNP; leaders of the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB); and other leaders and activists of BNP’s associate organizations.

The voluntary blood donation and blood grouping program was organised by the Doctors’ Association of Rangpur (DAB) as part of BNP’s central program marking the July–August mass uprising and “Victory Anniversary.” During the event, Rizvi also spoke with leaders of the district and city BNP.