‘Hasina betrayed nation repeatedly’

Staff Correspondent :

Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, Joint Secretary General of BNP’s Central Executive Committee, said on Thursday that Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly betrayed the nation. He claimed that she compromised with Ershad as well as neighboring countries and other forces.

“There was no trace of democracy in the country back then,” he stated. “Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, destroyed democracy. Later, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, through the Sepoy Revolution, took responsibility for the nation and restored democracy and press freedom. He organized the presidential election in 1978.”

According to Salam, the Zia family has always stood for democracy, while the Mujib family has been responsible for enforced disappearances, murders, and killings. “Just like Sheikh Mujib clung to power by force, his daughter Sheikh Hasina has also relied on killing, abductions, and state violence to remain in power,” he alleged.

He made these remarks as the chief guest during a voluntary blood donation event organized by the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), Narayanganj chapter, held on Thursday (July 3) at 11 a.m. at Khanpur 300-Bed General Hospital. The program was part of BNP’s central initiative marking the anniversary of the July-August uprising, a time of mourning, and victory.

He further claimed, “Killer Sheikh Hasina has murdered over 5,000 BNP leaders and activists. During the most recent July-August movement, over 2,000 students and civilians were gunned down in broad daylight by the police and administration to keep Hasina in power. Although students initially withdrew from the movement, Tarique Rahman instructed that the struggle must continue.”

“You said we are not just fighting a quota system-we will continue this movement until democracy is fully restored in the country. We will overthrow fascist Sheikh Hasina and restore democracy through her resignation. Ultimately, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, she was forced to resign and flee on August 5.”

He also addressed recent elections: “You all know what happened in the 2014, 2018, and the most recent 2024 elections. What we want now is a free, fair, and democratic election. After the July uprising, an interim government has been formed. Our acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said we will fully cooperate with this government.”

He warned of ongoing conspiracies surrounding the upcoming election. “Some parties are now talking about PR (proportional representation) systems-ironically, they are the same ones who participated in elections under the previous fascist regime. Party members must stay alert. Anyone who conspires against the party will be strongly resisted in unity.”

The event was chaired by Dr. Jahangir Alam, convener of the DAB Narayanganj unit, and moderated by Dr. Zahirul Islam. The chief guest was Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, Joint Secretary General of BNP’s Central Executive Committee.

Special guests included Narayanganj District BNP Convener Professor Mamun Mahmud, Metropolitan BNP Convener Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Member Secretary Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, District BNP Joint Convener Mashukul Islam Rajib, Metropolitan BNP Senior Member Dr. Mojibur Rahman, Masud Rana, Khanpur 300-Bed General Hospital Superintendent Dr. Abul Bashar, and DAB Narayanganj members Dr. Amirul Muluk, Dr. Kasedur Rahman, Dr. Boyez Uddin, Dr. Pankaj Naha, and Dr. Abu Saleh, among others.