During Pohela Boishakh celebrations marking the Bangla New Year, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday voiced concerns about what he described as both “political and cultural aggression” in Bangladesh.
The event took place in front of the BNP's Naya Paltan central office, organized by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha.
Rizvi accused the Awami League government of attempting to alter fundamental aspects of the Bangladeshi identity, including language, cultural practices and traditional customs ranging from food habits to clothing.
"The Awami League will not be able to break our cultural mosaic crafted by the rivers Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Ichamati, Dhaleshwari and Shitalakshya, which upholds our independence and sovereignty," Rizvi stated.
He emphasized that the cultural heritage championed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and safeguarded under the leadership of acting chairman Tarique Rahman, is integral to the nation's identity encompassing nationalism, independence, sovereignty and democracy.
Furthermore, Rizvi lamented the state of democracy in Bangladesh, highlighting that the festive spirit of Pohela Boishakh is overshadowed by the struggles of those fighting for democratic freedoms.
With many BNP leaders and activists imprisoned, and only a few recently released, there is little cause for celebration among its ranks and the general populace, he added.
