The BNP yesterday said the government wanted to put the last nail in the coffin of the judiciary by empowering the parliament to impeach Supreme Court judges.
“The government is giving the parliament authority to impeach the judges in order to establish absolute control over the judiciary so that judges cannot deliver any verdict against them,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the party, said.
Addressing a rally at National Press Club protesting the government’s move to empower the parliament to impeach the Supreme Court judges, the BNP leader asked the ruling party men to come to the street without law enforcement agencies to taste its power.
“You will say Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia are killers and Tarique Rahman is a black sheep and will people see the mockery sitting idle?,” he said.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance earlier announced demonstration at 15 spots of the city, but later they decided to hold a rally at the National Press Club.
Alliance leaders started joining the rally with small processions and law enforcement agencies tightened security centring the programme. Police prison van, APC car and water cannon were seen outside the meeting venue.
Fakhrul alleged that ‘false’ cases had been filed and charge sheets in those cases were submitted to keep the opposition leaders and activists away from the election. Cases were filed against more than five hundred thousand leaders and activists, he claimed.
Criticising Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, the spokesperson of the party said, “Do not mislead people by making false statements. Make public what was your role in the formation of Baksal during 1972-75? You would not be spared for harshly criticising Ziaur Rahman and Tarique Rahman.”
Calling upon the people to join the party’s ongoing movement, Fakhrul said, “Let us resist the government through the movement and move forward to form the people’s government.”
Dhaka City Unit BNP Convener Mirza Abbas who chaired the programme said all who attended today’s programme were not BNP leaders and activists rather most of them were conscious people.
“If we take to the streets with the people, the government will not find the way to escape. No one will be spared for committing misdeeds.”
Asking the party leaders and activists not to chant any slogan inside the hall room, he said, “It is not needed to chant slogan and show placard everywhere. You show it where it is needed and do not chant any slogan here.”
