BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubul Rahman accused on Friday the government of obstructing the opposition's democratic rights to hold rallies and meetings, reports UNB.
"Now we have to hold indoor programmes. Our rights to hold rallies, meetings, and other constitutional and democratic rights are seriously being hampered. Even today (Friday), our many leaders and activists were not allowed to join this programme," he told a discussion at the National Press Club.
The BNP leader said all the gates of the Press Club were kept under lock and key over the programme. "Our international affairs secretary Najzmuddin Alam who had invited me to attend the programme was not allowed to enter the venue. "It can't be a democratic practice."
He called upon the nationalist forces to get united to get rid of the current condition and restore people's democratic and constitutional rights.
Dhaka district unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal arranged the protest rally at the National Press Club auditorium demanding the release of district unit BNP general secretary Amanullah Aman.
Police also detained 7-8 JDC men from in front of the press club over the programme.
Mahbub said the country is now going through a serious democratic crisis. "We'd fought the Liberation War for democracy and freed the country. But, it's unfortunate that we don't have democracy now. It's an ominous sign for the country."
He called upon the nationalist forces, especially the JCD men, to raise their voice against the misrule of the government imbued with the ideal of party founder Ziaur Rahman.
Meanwhile,BNP demanded on Friday a fair investigation into the allegation of land grabbing against LGRD and Cooperative Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, reports UNB.
"Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council Thursday accused LGRD Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain of capturing a Jamindar house of the minority community in Faridpur. Not only that, they also brought the allegation of grabbing the property of the minority community against two ruling party MPs, including Dabirul Islam," said BNP spokesman Asaduzzam Ripon.
