Arson cannot stop the BNP’s progress, says Abdus Salam

Arson attacks, crude bomb explosions or the burning of vehicles cannot stop the progress of the BNP and its chairman Tarique Rahman, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) administrator and Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP convener Md Abdus Salam, a freedom fighter, has said.

He made the remarks on Friday (13 November) at a painting competition and prize-giving ceremony organised by the Zia Shishu-Kishor Mela at the National Press Club to mark 7 November.

Abdus Salam said the spirit of the Liberation War was restored through the revolution of 7 November. Under the leadership of martyred president Ziaur Rahman, soldiers and people united that day to defeat hegemonic forces, he said, adding that without 7 November, today’s Bangladesh would not have existed.

He said that although BNP leaders and activists had been victims of enforced disappearances and killings, the party had never resorted to arson or underground politics. Those choosing the path of crude bomb explosions and violence should step back from such activities, he said, adding that the people would not accept them and would resist them.

Noting that conspiracies to destroy the BNP had failed, the DSCC administrator said the party did not end even after Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia were removed. The people sent Tarique Rahman to state power with an absolute majority, he said.

Tarique Rahman must be given the opportunity to change the country, Abdus Salam said, adding that not everything can change in two months or six months. Given time, people will see change in gas, electricity and the economy, he said.

Criticising the Awami League, he said the people have not forgotten 17 years of enforced disappearances, killings and violence. Public support cannot be won through arson attacks, killings, crude bomb explosions or burning vehicles, he said.

Addressing Sheikh Hasina, Abdus Salam said: if you want to return to the country, come to the border; law enforcement agencies will arrest you and send you to prison.

Calling on the opposition parties, he said governments will be formed and changed through elections. Opposition parties including Jamaat will have to wait patiently until the next election, he said.

Stressing the need to present true history to the new generation, he said the politics of Ziaur Rahman, the ideals of Bangladeshi nationalism and the spirit of 7 November must be instilled in children and adolescents, alongside knowledge of the real history of the Liberation War.

The programme, chaired by Din Md Dulu, convener of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Zia Shishu-Kishor Mela, was attended by BNP executive committee member M A Malek, Kazi Abul Bashar, rhymester Abu Saleh, Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, Jahangir Shikdar, Ashraful Amin and Nahidul Islam Nahid, among others.