Politicians created ground for 1/11

Pro-BNP intellectual Prof Emajuddin Ahmed yesterday blamed politicians for creating the ground of the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.

"As a political scientist, I want to clearly state that 1/11 was a military coup. A military coup takes place by some ambitious army officials with the help of many politicians who create the ground for it. A military takeover never happened as long as political leaders had not created ground for it," he told a discussion at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum jointly arranged the programme, marking 10th imprisonment day of BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's statement that the caretaker government was an outcome of their movement, Emajuddin said, "Whom will you sue?"

The former vice chancellor of Dhaka University said the 1/11 administration was morally illegal, no matter whether it was the outcome of someone's movement.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the programme alleged that the main motive behind the 1/11 political changeover was to annihilate the nationalist forces.

He also alleged that those who supported the 1/11 administration then were now speaking against it for gaining political mileage.

"Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman had been arrested as part of a move of the 1/11 administration to suppress the nationalist politics. They have arrested many others who believe in nationalism. Their target was depoliticisation," Fakhrul said.

He said the plot was still going on to eliminate BNP and its leadership. "The country's democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speech are now at stake."

To overcome the situation, he said, the youths must come forward. "They have to take a vow to resist the plot of re-establishing a one-party rule."