Victims of arson attacks and their families on Wednesday demanded justice, holding BNP-Jamaat responsible for the unrecoverable tragedy that befell their livelihoods from BNP-Jamaat’s violence during 2013-2015 and 2023.
At a civic rally held in front of the National Museum, they asked the world to act to end impunity for these killers unleashed by BNP Jamaat.
Expressing solidarity with as many as 17 rights bodies, they came to the event in wheelchairs, calling for the punishment of arsonists belonging to BNP-Jamaat.
Up to 19 survivors joined the event, still in wheelchairs and horrified by their trauma, demanding justice against those who put their lives in danger out of a desire for power.
They alleged that Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and several other entities, along with international media, became vocal over the arrest of BNP activists but did not raise their voices over the suffering that descended on their lives.
The still grief-stricken daughter and wife of the police constable who was beaten to death reportedly by BNP-Jamaat men and the parents of the college student who could not return home from his visit to the capital to buy winter clothing grieved the losses from BNP-Jamaat’s arson attacks.
Runi Begum, the mother of Nahid, a victim of the 2013 arson attack in Shahbagh, said her son was not involved in politics. He had come to Dhaka from Madaripur’s Shibchar and never returned home.
“BNP-Jamaat supporters burned my son alive on a bus. I request Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure punishment for those who burned my son and their instigators,” she added.
“If they believe in democracy, how can they speak on behalf of the killers of innocent lives? Their statements do not match their cover of neutrality. How can one advocate for the rights of those who burn people alive?" she questioned.
They also thanked the prime minister for her initiative in opening up the country's first burn unit, which offered a glimmer of hope for those innocent people who fell prey to BNP-Jamaat violence.
Dr Samanta Lal Sen, the coordinator of the burn institute, expressed his grief: “I have seen patients’ suffering up close. The agony of those burned in political violence is unimaginable. Willingly inflicting such pain, I know of nothing worse. Everyone dies, but everyone hopes for a natural death.”
“I have seen families lose loved ones in political violence. They tell me they are not involved in politics. Why were they burned?” Dr Sen asked.
“Please don’t burn people in such a brutal manner. Democracy is not about burning people. Come to power through elections. Burning people is not politics,” he urged.
This rally also showed the participation of three generations of victims of BNP-Jamaat violence.
Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote organized the event to protest the incidents in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh at 11am on Wednesday.
Tarana Halim, former state minister for Post and Telecommunications, said: “Many people lost their lives as victims of BNP-Jamaat terrorism.
“In the pre-2014 election violence, 3,000 people were burned, 47 died, and 21 law enforcement members were killed. Twenty-six presiding officers were murdered on election duty, over 500 schools were burned, and much more destruction was caused.”
“This terrorism continued in 2023. We stand against arson terrorism and demand justice,” she added.
Those speaking at the human chain also slammed the hypocrisy and politics of denial demonstrated by BNP leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, focusing on the arson attacks and violence that have gripped the country since October 28.
