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BNP stood by people for democracy, rights: Minister
Published : Sunday, 13 September, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Observer online report
BNP has remained on the streets to restore democracy and establish people’s rights, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain has said.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with leaders of Panchagarh district BNP and its affiliated organisations at the district BNP office on Sunday morning.
Zahid said people had witnessed unelected governments, governments formed without votes and “dummy elections” during the previous government’s rule.
“For nearly 17 years, the people of this country saw unelected governments, governments formed through night-time arrangements, governments without votes and dummy elections. They had no accountability to the people,” he said.
He alleged that people had faced repression and persecution under the previous government and said allegations against those responsible would be tried in Bangladesh.
Referring to BNP’s political movement, the minister said the party had remained in the country and continued its struggle for democracy and people’s rights despite successive authoritarian governments since the One-Eleven period.
He claimed that hundreds of BNP leaders and activists had been subjected to enforced disappearance and that hundreds of thousands had been imprisoned. He also alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had been denied proper medical treatment.
Zahid praised BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s leadership, saying he had led the party and its supporters from abroad while receiving medical treatment.
He said the mass uprising on August 5, 2024, had advanced with the participation of the people and forced the previous government to leave the country.
The minister said BNP did not believe in “clandestine movements” or “clandestine politics”, but had conducted its movement on the streets.
Addressing the Awami League, he said those facing allegations should come forward and face the law. He alleged that people had been killed, public resources looted and “mega looting” carried out in the name of mega projects.
He said the allegations should be dealt with through the courts and that democratic forces would accept a court verdict if the accused were found not guilty.
Zahid also alleged that attempts were being made from abroad to create instability using social media and artificial intelligence, adding that the people of Bangladesh would not accept such efforts.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
