PM blames BNP-Jamaat misrule, graft for state of emergency

Says dialogues to be held with parties concerned before formulating Vested Property Act

13 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad greet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with a bouquet at the Prime Minister's Office in the city yesterday. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again blamed massive corruption, misrule and intentions of vote rigging by the BNP-Jamaat alliance government behind the state of emergency imposed on January 11 in 2007. She said this while speaking to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad leaders when they call on her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) yesterday. Hasina said the political history of Bangladesh is unique. She mentioned that except 2001, no government has been able to hand over power peacefully without incident. “In 1996 we had to launch a movement against the BNP government as they were plotting to capture power through vote rigging. Later they held a voterless election in February 15, 1996. But people rejected them and they were compelled to resign and hand over power to a non-party caretaker government,” she said. Hasina also mentioned that in 2007, the BNP-Jamaat government again plotted to keep themselves in power through vote rigging and registration of fake voters. “But again the people of the country foiled their conspiracy,” she said. She said the misdeeds of the BNP-Jamaat alliance led the country to go under emergency rule. She said later the election came and AL led grand alliance won a landslide. “When the people of the country got their chance to cast their vote freely, they voted AL to power,” she said. RELIGIOUS HARMONY Hasina reaffirmed her government's commitment to religious harmony, and its willingness to ensure the coexistence of all religious people in country. “People of all religions and races will live in the country with equal rights and perform their religious activities freely. We believe in this philosophy and will work to ensure it permeates our society,” she told the Puja Udjapan Parishad leaders. She said Bangladesh was established on the philosophy of non-communalism and people from all walks of life, irrespective of religion and race, participated in the War of Liberation. She said in Bangladesh people of all religions will perform their religious activities without any hindrance. “Our religion, Islam, also believes in this philosophy. But many people among us often use the religion as a tool to oppress other people. These kinds of people are present in all religions,” she said. Terming her party, the Awami League, as believers in non-communalism, she said it has always believed in freedom of all religions. “We believe what we said and work accordingly,” she said. Hasina said it was only after 2001 that the then BNP-Jamaat government started oppressing religious minorities and progressive forces, including AL activists. VESTED PROPERTY ACT Regarding the demands from the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad leaders, she said her government would hold dialogues with the parties concerned before formulating the Vested Property Act. She asked the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad leaders to provide a list of mandirs across the country and the condition of the properties with the mandirs. She said the government has already approved a project in the Ecnec regarding the development of the Kantajir Mandir in Dinajpur. She said the religious places and structures of the country, including mandirs, are related to the history of the country and these places are also good spots for developing tourism. “These are related with our pride and history. We have to salvage these,” she said. She said the government will take necessary steps to renovate and reconstruct the main temples, including the Dhakeshwari and Ramna Kali Mandir. Chief Patron of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parisad Major General (ret) CR Dutta and President of Puja Udjapon Parisad Shawpan Kumar Saha spoke on the occasion.