Dhaka, Nov 7: During Durga Puja we go to eat lollipops and see Thakur. During our childhood, we also used to enjoy the puja very much. I still enjoy that joy. There is no discrimination between Hindu and Muslim here. There is no communalism among us.
Everyone has religion, but everyone participate in festivals. This is the Bengali tradition. Our earlier generations used to do it and now we are also doing the same. This consciousness is always present in our minds and souls. The BNP possess it. So, those who say that BNP is carrying out communal violence are merely doing bad politics, they are mainly blaming others for achieving their own interests.
Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, advisor of BNP chairperson, said this in an exclusive interview with the news agency UNI on Saturday.
“We are still thinking of bringing back accountability, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought. We dream of creating that environment. So you can say we are not in normal situation now. We are alive despite continued torture by Sheikh Hasina’s government in the 12-14 years. Sheikh Hasina’s government could not spoil our spirit. This is the biggest success of the BNP?.
Khandakar Abdul Muktadir is the son of a traditional political family in Sylhet of Bangladesh.
Muktadir was the BNP’s candidate in the last election held under the Sheikh Hasina’s government.
He got 80 percent vote but Awami League candidate was declared winner. Numerous cases have been filed against political activists in the area. Opposition party workers cannot sleep at night at their houses for fear of police. Many political activists have gone missing in Sylhet. Many families have become destitute due to the torture of the Awami League-led government.
He said, ?If elections are held in Bangladesh only with the traditional workers of Awami League, then they will not get even 20 percent seat. This is the reality. This government wants to stay in power by forcing the country to the bottom. So you can say that we did not participate in the 2014 elections, it was not our political mistake. The mock election of Sheikh Hasina in 2018 proved that there is no need to vote if the government is to survive. Ballot boxes was forcibly filled with the help of police and administration in the dark of night?.
Then you can understand the stage of democracy in the country. Awami League has damaged democracy. The Awami League has clothes but they have no political activities. They have abandoned politics. But you see, the BNP has survived on the streets despite enduring so much torture. BNP activists are seen in meetings, processions and struggle. Then you can understand who has become successful.
Muktadir said, ?Awami League sent BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time successful Prime Minister, to jail due to political vengeance. When BNP went to the Supreme Court to seek bail, the court gave a hearing date three months later. Then it is understood what is the condition of the country’s judicial system and constitutional institutions. No one will support this undemocratic system of Bangladesh. This kind of democracy in Bangladesh will have a negative impact on the democratic institutions of the neighbouring countries like India.
This is normal. Something bad happened here, then it will create impact on the neighbouring countries. So I think that India is a liberal democratic country in the world. That is why India’s position is good with its head high in the world. It is in India’s interest to protect the democracy of Bangladesh. I believe that India will also remain in well condition.
The Kashmir issue has not affected India’s democracy. There was a war in 1965 and Indo-Pakistani war in 1971, but it did not affect India’s democracy. Indira Gandhi was also defeated in the election. It indicated that there is a strong foundation of democracy in India. The country maintained democracy from 1947 to 2021. So India should create a democratic environment in the neighbouring countries as well. Otherwise, India will be regarded as unfaithful to its own citizens.
Khandakar Muktadir said that Jamaat participated in the polls in 1986. The BNP did not go to the polls, while Awami League took part in it. After the fall of the military ruler Ershad in 1990, pro-Pakistan party Jamaat opposed BNP during the election of 1991. At that time, Jamaat got 18 seats. Jamaat went to the polls following the Awami League. So Awami League and Jamaat are two sides of a same coin. If anyone says that Jamaat is the power base of BNP, then it would be wrong. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s relationship with war criminal Golam Azam was very sweet.
Jamaat leaders Quader Mollah, Kamruzzaman and their other leaders and activists met Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina several times from 1994-1996. Golam Azam inspired Sheikh Mujib to start movement on Bengal. See the history, you will get the answer. So, pro-Pakistani Jamaat is not the strength of BNP.
Muktadir said that Awami League has been making allegation that BNP will become a fundamentalist government and Hindus will be the victims of torture if BNP assumes power. Sheikh Hasina could not give anything to the lives and security of the minorities. Starting from property possession, Hindu women are being raped every day. See statistics, you will get the answer. After all, Awami League is like a terror to Hindus. Bangladesh ISKCON chief Charu Chanda Brahmmachari said this while addressing a meeting of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council at Shahbag in the capital a few days ago.
He said Hindu persecution has increased a lot during the tenure of this government, which did not happen during the previous time of this government. Bishwa Hindu Parishad(World Hindu Council) leader Kapil has condemned Bangladesh foreign minister’s remarks a few days ago. Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Parishad general secretary Govinda Chanda Pramanik in a statement said that the Awami League government was torturing Hindus. So, on the one hand, there is falsehood of Sheikh Hasina and on the other hand there is torture. As a result, criminals are getting away, resulting in increased crime.
Muktadir said if SAARC is restructured, the countries will benefit economically. India, a major democratic country, must take a leading role for restructuring of SAARC. Because, there are many SAARC organizations in India. We have to remember that we have to go a long way.
On the issue of NRC, Moktadir said, “India is a big country and we expect them to behave responsibly. Temporary petty interests should be abandoned. To stay politically stable, I hope India will avoid issues like the NRC. The consequences of divisive politics within one’s own country are never good. India is a big democratic country. I personally think that India should play a strong role in protecting democracy in other countries.
Muktadir said, “I sincerely believe that BNP will be on India’s side if India plays a helpful role in restoring democracy in Bangladesh”.
About the Seven Sisters in India, Moktadir said the small provinces have huge natural resources in the hilly areas. Bangladesh will be quite interested in investing there. Because the areas have endless raw materials. If the relation with Bangladesh is good, then trade volumes of the two countries will increase a lot. I think people of this region will be benefitted from the trade relations with the Seven Sisters.
(UNI)
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