Amid the current political turmoil in Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Thursday called on India to show respect to the ‘demands’ of people over the dispute relating to the poll-time government. “I urge influential neighbour India and its people to express solidarity with the world community by showing respect to the aspirations and demands of the majority of the people in Bangladesh,” Khalda said in statement.
The BNP chairperson also thanked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the initiatives taken by different countries, including the US, the European Union, the UK, Australia, Canada, China and Japan, to resolve the political impasse.
Khaleda also called upon the government to widen the path for dialogue and consensus between the government and the opposition by suspending the election schedule. She demanded release of opposition leaders and activists.
“It is important to create a congenial atmosphere for dialogue to expand the path of consensus. But it is regrettable that no opposition leader and activist was released, no case was withdrawn and the loyal Election Commission did not suspend the schedule of farcical election,” she said added.
She further noted that the closed offices of the political parties and newspapers had not been opened yet, restrictions on holding of peaceful rallies have not been lifted, and killings of agitators and their ‘bloodshed’ have not been stopped.
Referring to the talks between the government and the opposition negotiated by the United Nations (UN) emissary, she said this has renewed the hopes and aspirations of the people. “I do hope that they will take the expectations of the people into consideration and move towards peace and consensus by shunning their stubborn attitude,” she added.
She urged the people to remain alert against the ‘provocation, sabotage and propaganda’ by the government to ‘bypass the people’s movement’.
Khaleda accused the government of engaging in different acts to mislead the people about the ongoing democratic movement. She prayed for the salvation of the souls of those who were killed in Laxmipur and elsewhere during the movement.
The BNP chief expressed her sympathy for the families of the dead and those who suffered injuries.
She said the opposition movement was to relieve the people of the crisis, establish democracy and the rights of the people, and restore peace and normalcy.
The opposition leader expressed her optimism that they would be able to reach their desired goal of transfer of power by holding a participatory election and establishing a government of the people’s choice.
She said if all the restrictions on holding rallies are withdrawn, it would lead to a surge of people on the streets and if a fair election is held, the people would reject the Awami League. “Realising this, they have resorted to repression on the opposition and are moving towards holding a lopsided poll,” she alleged.
Khaleda said the government would have to bear the responsibility for the attacks, killings of ordinary people and acts of sabotage in different parts of the country. In this connection, she urged the opposition leaders and activists to remain alert so that ordinary citizens do not suffer.
“We have repeatedly said that our movement will be a peaceful and democratic one,” she reiterated.
The BNP chairperson said the country is now facing a deep crisis, just as it had been feared by different political parties and socio-cultural organisations and people of civil society.
“The government did not accept public opinion but interpreted our call for restoring peace as our weakness. The country is now on the verge of ruin because of the whimsical decision of the government,” she said.
-With The Independent input
