Govt instigating fundamentalism: Mirza Fakhrul

The current government is instigating fundamentalism, claimed BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while talking to reporters at his Thakurgaon residence yesterday morning.

"If there is anybody responsible for the rise of fundamentalism, it is Awami League," said Mirza Fakhrul.

He further said that Awami League always blames BNP and seeks excuses to destroy the opposing party. "This is dirty politics that harms the country," he said.

BNP has nothing to do with fundamentalism but it believes in religious freedom, claimed Mirza Fakhrul.

"I don't think there are any militants in Bangladesh. However, there is fundamentalism and it is the Awami League that is indulging and inciting fundamentalism," he continued.

In response to a question, Fakhrul said, "I don't want to talk about sculpture at the moment. Democracy is the bigger issue for us [having] it in the country is my right. It is a matter of importance to establish this constitutional right."

"Instability is prevailing in the country as there is no democratic government here. Foreign investors do not think Bangladesh is safe. The reason behind this is that the environment of the country is not investment-friendly," said Fakhrul.

"Those who come from abroad to do business have to pay bribe to get gas and electricity connection. The ruling party people also take toll from them. All this has had a negative impact," he added.

"Recently, six sugar mills in the country have been shut down. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a section of the working class are becoming unemployed. At this time, pushing the sugar mill workers and sugarcane farmers towards uncertainty will have a greater impact on the economy of the northern region as a whole," explained the BNP Secretary General.

"It's not good for the economy," he said. Demanding the introduction of closed mills, he said agriculture must be subsidised and that it is important to keep agro-based industries under subsidy.

"The people of the country cannot franchise their vote now. Can't talk, can't write, charge sheet has been issued against Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman in a murder case. The old editor of Sangram is still in jail," mentioned Fakhrul, adding that the purpose of such acts is to intimidate journalists so that they do not write the truth.

Among others, the district unit general secretary of BNP, Mirza Faisal Amin; vice president Nur-e-Shahadat Swajan; finance secretary Shariful Islam Sharif and Jubo Dol president Chowdhury Mahebullah Abunur were present.