Rizvi urges criticism within democratic norms
Everyone has the right to criticise the government in a democratic environment, but urged critics to focus on the underlying causes of the country’s ongoing crisis rather than making sweeping allegations or launching personal attacks, BNP Acting Secretary General and the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said.
“The opposition could strongly criticise the government both inside and outside parliament, noting that it had organised various programmes, including long marches, without facing obstruction from the government or anyone acting on its behalf,” he made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Role of the Government and Opposition in Establishing a Democratic State” at the National Press Club on Tuesday.
On the recent adjustment of fuel prices, Rizvi said Bangladesh had to purchase diesel at around Tk 205 per litre, while it was being sold to consumers at Tk 115, resulting in a loss of around Tk 90 per litre.
Even after the recent price adjustment, he said, the government would still incur a loss of around Tk 70 per litre.
Rizvi said diesel prices in Bangladesh remained lower than those in Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India. He attributed the price adjustment to the rise in global oil prices.
He said differences in prices between countries could encourage products to move from lower-priced markets to higher-priced ones, adding that a similar situation could arise with fuel oil.
Referring to recent incidents of violence and arson, the BNP leader said buses and trains had been set on fire and cocktail explosions had occurred in different parts of the country.
Those responsible for such incidents should be identified and exposed to the public, he said.
He also called on those organising long marches, protest meetings and processions over rising commodity prices or extortion to hold similar programmes against what he described as destructive activities.
On misinformation concerning government activities, Rizvi said the spread of false information could disrupt legitimate government activities and the functioning of the administration.
He said efforts were underway to reorganise the country’s banking and financial sectors, adding that several banks had been merged and depositors were receiving their money through allocations from Bangladesh Bank.
Rizvi also said remittance inflows had increased recently and foreign exchange reserves had risen significantly compared with the past. He said the improved reserves had strengthened Bangladesh’s capacity to purchase gas and fuel oil.
Political Assistant to the Prime Minister Md Rashed Khan attended the discussion as the special guest.
Barrister Nasim Khan, chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, presided over the programme, while the alliance’s spokesperson S M Shahadat moderated it. Central leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote also spoke at the event.
