BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi declared that they will resist and prevent Awami League's so-called "peace rally."
He criticized the notion of peace when the air is filled with the smell of gunpowder and the streets are stained with blood due to the actions of Awami League.
The veteran BNP leader made the remark at a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Monday to protest against the attack on BNP's peaceful sit-in program.
Rizvi emphasized that they will now build resistance in neighbourhoods to counter Awami League's so-called peaceful gatherings.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneRizvi said: “While people are peacefully protesting for the restoration of democracy and voting rights in the country, Awami League is forming peace committees similar to Yahya Khan and Tikka Khan.”
He accused the police and Awami League of injuring and arresting many leaders and activists during their peaceful program and plotting to disrupt their activities with false cases.
Regarding the rally, Rizvi mentioned that the police have granted them permission on 21-23 conditions.
He highlighted one of the stipulations, which prevents the publication of the speech of a convicted person. Rizvi argued that this condition was specifically targeted at Tarique Rahman, as he is uniting people and party leaders and activists across the country, leading to the directive not to publicize his speech.
The rally was supposed to start at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital around 2pm but it was not possible due to rain. Later, around 3pm, the leaders climbed on a temporary platform made of trucks.
Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units of BNP organized the public meeting to protest against the attack, torture, and arrest of BNP leaders and activists during the sit-in program at the entrances of Dhaka last Saturday.
The general secretary of the party Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend the rally as chief guest.
BNP leaders asserted that this movement cannot be suppressed with attacks and cases as seen in the past. If necessary, BNP leaders will alter their political strategies, take to the streets, and persevere until the government falls.
Rabbi Hossain/Dhaka TribuneBNP's Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon also accused the “government-sided” police and Awami League of attacking their sit-in program but stated that the party was exercising patience for now.
He emphasized that resistance has not yet been activated and warned the government that once it begins, there will be no escape for them.
BNP's Self-Reliant Affairs Secretary Shirin Sultana announced that they were prepared to block the entire country, including Dhaka, if needed, and will only return home after the government's collapse.
Shahidul Islam Babul, the general secretary of Krishak Dal, stated in the rally that in the last few days, hundreds of leaders and activists of the Krishak Dal alone have been arrested.
Dr Harun-al-Rashid, president of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), asserted that the government's attempts to stop the movement through torture and attacks will not be successful.
Rabbi Hossain/Dhaka TribunePresident of Swechchasebak Dal SM Jilani mentioned the firing incident during the peaceful program announced from a large rally in Naya Paltan, where employees were shot.
He reported that 40 people were injured in the firing, and five people were arrested and were receiving medical treatment.
BNP's Publicity Secretary Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury referred to the issue of Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, adding: “Before we were arrested, we were not given food. People know that a new play has been staged.”