Those who committed crimes and fled cannot go unpunished: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that the fascist government fell in the 2024 mass uprising and the then prime minister fled the country. He said the people of the country are asking how those who committed crimes before the public eye and fled can apply for passports and national identity cards (NID).

He made the remarks as the special guest at the exhibition and evaluation ceremony of the Rajshahi divisional round of the 'In Search of Future Scientists-2026' competition, organised by the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), at the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College auditorium in Bogura on Tuesday (10 November) afternoon.

Rizvi said the bloodstains of nearly 1,400 martyred students and members of the public, including Abu Sayeed, Mugdha and Wasim, have not yet dried. Those who fled the country after involvement in serious crimes and crimes against humanity must be tried in the courts of this country in accordance with the constitution. The BNP believes in the rule of law and justice.

He further said that in the past, the then law minister Advocate Anisul Haque had said the statements of fugitives could not be publicised. Yet during Sheikh Hasina's rule, Tarique Rahman was not a fugitive. He was physically tortured. After he went abroad for treatment, case after case was filed against him.

Praising the students taking part in the science fair, Rizvi said these young scientists are the Einsteins and Newtons of the future. Their innovative talent will play an important role in the country's development.

In his speech as the chief guest, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said that if the country's youth are properly nurtured and given opportunities, there will be no need to depend on other countries. Bangladesh can become self-reliant through its own merit and innovative strength.

He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman believed that 'homegrown product is the best product'. Following his ideals, the young generation must be advanced in research in agriculture and other sectors. For this, it is essential to ensure adequate budget allocation for research and development in educational institutions.

He also stressed increasing the country's productivity through the proper use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The programme was presided over by Professor Dr. Farhad Halim Donar, executive director of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and a member of the BNP's National Standing Committee. Others who spoke included Rezaul Karim Badsha, president of Bogura district BNP and Member of Parliament; Advocate A. K. M. Mahbubur Rahman, adviser to the BNP chairperson; Dr. Moinul Hossain Sadik, president of Gaibandha district BNP; Engineer Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, convener of the science fair organising committee; and Dr. Mostafa Aziz Suman, member secretary.

At the start of the programme, Dr. Shah Mohammad Shahjahan Ali, convener of the Rajshahi divisional science fair, delivered the welcome speech. Before the discussion, the guests visited the various stalls of the science fair and inspected the science-based projects and innovations made by the students.

The competition was organised with the aim of fostering scientific thinking, innovative talent and interest in research among the young generation, and of building a technology-based self-reliant Bangladesh.