Bangladesh oppositions ready for post-Ramadan protest

Shahariar Islam Sovon  :
Bangladesh’s opposition parties are planning anti-government rallies in the capital city after the holy month of Ramadan.
Their goal is to demand democratic rights and ultimately oust the ruling Awami League government.
Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), told the New Nation, “We call upon the government to resign and pave the way for free, fair, and inclusive elections. This will ensure the fundamental rights of the Bangladeshi people are protected.”
Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad (Right to Vote Alliance), echoed these sentiments. He told the New Nation, “This current Awami League government is illegitimate. Our program demands the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Nur further accused the government of suppressing the opposition. He cited instances of police conducting house searches for opposition leaders and activists, and harassing family members when the targeted individuals were not found.
“They are even resorting to detaining family members of our leaders and activists,” Nur asserted. “The ruling government will not be able to escape the consequences of this oppressive behavior. The time for their departure is upon us, and their downfall is imminent. We are determined to fight for our rights.”
Zonayed Saki, the Chief Coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolan (National Unity Movement), said , “The people’s right to vote was stolen on January 7th. What transpired was not an election; it was a self-serving exercise by a single party.”
He said, “People are questioning whether this party will exist once it steps down from power. As long as they are in power with this dummy election and parliament, they will destroy our lives.”
President of Bangladesh Chhatra Union Dipak Shil told The New Nation that they will continue their programme against the fascist government and will protect their rights.
‘Chhatra Union saw the first split in 1965, several years after the International Communist Movement was divided into two separate camps – the ‘Pro-Peking’ camp and the ‘Pro-Moscow’ camp’, he said.