Democracy can only be re-introduced to Bangladesh through democratic procedures, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.
"Khaleda Zia's release, and democracy — these are related," Fakhrul said at a meeting with Bangladesh Jatiyabadi Muktijoddha Dal (JMD) on Friday morning. "However, democracy can only be brought back by practicing democracy."
Fakhrul stated this in response to the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal representatives' demands to take to the streets to protest against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's release from prison, on Friday morning.
President of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, Kushtia, Sajedur Rahman Bablu, said: "Without demonstrations and political movements, securing Khaleda's release—thus re-establishing democracy—will be impossible.
"We are freedom fighters, and we are ready to take to the streets," he said. "However, if BNP's affiliated organizations are not united, we will not be able to restore democracy by freeing Khaleda."
Bablu urged the BNP secretary general to provide a detailed action plan for all kinds of street movements and demonstrations.
BNP Vice-Chairman Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said similar to 1971—when the people of this country bled to achieve independence—BNP members are ready to be martyred for the cause of Khaleda's release.
"This government is slowly creating another BakSAL," Hafiz said. "Like in the past, people are not being allowed to vote, random fire hazards are killing people, and road accidents occur every day. We need to take to the streets to save this country."
Stating that such a discussion was taking place at the right moment, Fakhrul said: "You have helped liberate this country. You are experienced and wise. We need to bring back democracy — but through your individual attempts in your own areas.
"Fill the youths of your areas with the spirit of democracy," he said. "The future generation has the power to liberate the country from the clutches of this undemocratic government. This will be your part to play to restore democracy in Bangladesh."
The BNP secretary general said the recent cases of numerous fires and road accidents prove the government's inability to govern the country properly.
He also accused the government of planning to kill Khaleda Zia by not administering proper medical treatment to her. "In the last three months, Khaleda has not been visited by a single doctor. The government is planning to slowly kill her in this manner."
BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal echoed similar sentiments. "The government is conspiring to kill our chairperson. She has been kept in the jail to weaken BNP, nothing else."