Everyone talks about democracy, but there is none: Fakhrul

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday alleged that Bangladesh is now being labelled as a country of "hybrid regime" as one-party rule has been established under the cover of democracy.

"This is the second day of the new year. We hope that it will be a wonderful year for us. We dream of a beautiful Bangladesh this year by coming out of pain and suffering caused by coronavirus," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, Fakhrul said,  "But the reality is that Bangladesh is now being called a country of hybrid regime. Everyone talks about democracy but there is no democracy here. In fact, one-party governing system has been established under the cover of democracy."

Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf Smriti Parishad arranged the programme at Jatiya Press Club in memory of the BNP vice-chairman who died of coronavirus on December 9 last year.

Fakhrul said the nation liberated the country in 1971 with a dream of having a democratic state and society.  "But our dream has been shattered repeatedly... even after the 50 years of independence, we cannot say with pride that we live in an independent and democratic country where our rights are ensured. What can be more unfortunate than this?"

He said everything -- the government, parliament and bureaucracy -- is there in the country, but people have no rights.

The BNP leader alleged that around 300 people were subjected to extrajudicial killings last year by government agencies.

He bemoaned that the entire world, not only Bangladesh, has been going through a tough time due to Covid-19 and the dying condition of democracy. "Authoritarianism and dictatorship are growing in such a way that arrogance and negligence towards people have now become a part of current politics across the world."

Fakhrul said their party has been working and making efforts to come out of this situation by "restoring" multi-party democracy.  "But it's not enough."

He alleged that the government has been carrying out "repressive acts" by imprisoning their party leaders and implicating them in "false" cases. "Over 500 people were made disappeared and more than 1,000 were killed. All these victims are political activists. Last year, cases under the Digital Security Act were filed against 157 journalists who revealed the truth. So, where's democracy?"

The BNP leader said their party wants to turn Bangladesh into a democratic country by protecting its independence.  "We don't believe in (foreign) masters. We don't want to be subservient to anyone. We want to stand in the global arena with our heads held high."

He urged all to get united to establish a government of people and "restore democracy and their rights by defeating the current regime through a strong struggle".

At the event, Fakhrul also recalled Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf's contributions to the country and BNP.