BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday voiced deep concern over serious corruption allegations involving advisers to the interim government, while also demanding the trial of judges who he claimed abetted the establishment of Sheikh Hasina’s "fascist regime."
Speaking at a discussion organised by the Nationalist Research Forum (NRF) at the Jatiya Press Club, Rizvi said that while most advisers are not implicated, credible accusations of major corruption have surfaced involving the Health Adviser's Personal Assistant (PA) and another adviser's Assistant Private Secretary (APS). He described the allegations as deeply troubling, highlighting that such scandals tarnish the interim administration’s credibility.
Rizvi also expressed disappointment over reports that some leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) are exploiting their newfound influence across various ministries for personal gain. Citing allegations of "transfer trading" and black-market ticket sales worth several hundred crores of taka during Ramadan, he criticised the formation of student-led ministerial committees, notably in the Railways Ministry, calling it an alarming deviation from their traditional role of advocating against injustice and corruption on campuses.
The BNP leader stressed that students should have exercised greater caution after gaining access to power, urging the interim government to address these issues firmly to preserve its integrity.
Turning to the judiciary, Rizvi lambasted several former judges for allegedly facilitating authoritarianism during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. He specifically named Justice Khairul Haque, Justice Enayetur Rahim, and Justice Asaduzzaman, accusing them of undermining judicial independence and handing down politically motivated verdicts, such as the sentencing of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Rizvi argued that these judges must face trial, drawing a parallel to the Nuremberg Trials after World War II where judges who abetted Nazi atrocities were held accountable. He insisted that prosecuting those responsible for judicial misuse would serve as a powerful deterrent against future attempts to weaponize the courts for political repression.
Highlighting the sweeping crackdown against BNP leaders and activists, Rizvi claimed that around 60 lakh members have been falsely implicated in cases to stifle political opposition. He questioned why, despite eight months under the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, these cases have not been withdrawn, while cases against certain privileged individuals have been selectively dismissed.
He reiterated that such selective justice is unacceptable, urging immediate measures to archive and dispose of the politically motivated cases. Rizvi warned the interim government to avoid falling prey to the same "virus of fascism" that, according to him, characterised Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
Touching upon the upcoming elections, Rizvi demanded clarity from the interim authorities, criticising the ongoing uncertainty over the election schedule. He insisted that the people deserve transparency and decisiveness regarding the electoral roadmap, warning that hesitation would only breed further mistrust.
Earlier in the programme, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman's adviser Mahadi Amin and BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Nasir Uddin Ahmed Ashim also spoke, underscoring the enormity of the repression faced by the opposition. Mahadi Amin pointed out that the number of accused BNP activists exceeds the total population of several countries, a sentiment echoed by Rizvi, who compared it to Denmark’s population.
As the programme concluded, Rizvi reaffirmed the BNP’s commitment to holding those responsible for past injustices accountable and called on the interim government to deliver on the people’s demand for justice, transparency, and a genuine restoration of democracy.
