Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday questioned how Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), could consistently ignore court orders.
“I do not understand. This rogue, Tarique Rahman, is regularly violating court orders. The court ruled that his speeches, statements, and declarations could not be broadcast in any forum. Yet he consistently hurls insults and abuses at the High Court and Supreme Court. What punishment does he receive for these violations?”
He made the comments during an emergency meeting held at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue office on Saturday.
Regarding Tarique Rahman's audio message at BNP's mass rally on Friday, he said: "Tarique Rahman has already been sentenced to 20 years. The court has declared that he is not allowed to make statements or declarations. Yet just yesterday (Friday), he said something outrageous, that if one dead body falls, ten more will fall. He does not speak without mentioning corpses.”
Quader expressed his frustration with Tarique's impunity, questioning: "Is he above the law?"
He also questioned the source of Tarique Rahman's wealth, given his consistent encouragement to supporters to protest, assuring them they would not face a financial crunch.
“He does not speak without talking about money. He urges people to protest, assuring them they will not face any financial crisis. Where does he get all this money from?” he asked.
Quader additionally criticized the BNP leaders, who echoed Tarique Rahman's words at the Paltan, asking: "Are they too above the law?"
‘BNP getting directions from Tarique'
Highlighting BNP's announcement of blocking all entrance routes to the capital at the rally, Quader said: "They even asked their activists to bring extra clothes and blankets to Dhaka. This implies they plan to stay and will not move until Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is removed from the Ganabhaban. All these actions are under the direction of their leader, Tarique Rahman."
"The BNP is claiming they are under attack. They argue they are being assaulted and obstructed. They have vowed to shut down the routes into Dhaka city. Is this the property of Tarique Rahman's forefathers? He is ordering the shutdown of roads from London, what kind of politics is this?" he said.
The ruling Awami League announced a countrywide protest rally and procession on Sunday, against the violent activities carried out by the BNP on Saturday.
A day of clashes and violence
BNP announced on Friday that it would hold sit-ins at seven important entry points on Saturday, and the Awami League, in response, declared peace rallies as counter programs.
However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) did not give the parties permission to hold programs.
BNP leaders and activists gathered at various places in the capital throughout the day, and subsequently, Awami League activists also took to the streets.
As a result, Saturday saw several clashes between BNP activists, the police, and Awami League leaders.
Many people, including police, were injured in these clashes.
Incidents of passenger buses being torched and vandalized also took place in Ashulia and Matuail.
Several important leaders of the BNP, including Amanullah Aman and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, were detained. Although, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was later released.
As a result, the BNP too, has announced to hold peaceful rallies in all the metropolitan cities of the country on Monday.