Fakhrul condemns attack on bauls, calls for aid for Korail fire victims

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly condemned the attack on Baul followers, calling it a disgraceful incident, report agencies.

"We strongly condemn it. This is clearly an attack on Bangladesh's enduring cultural heritage. Bauls perform folk songs across villages, and targeting them can only be seen as the work of extremists and religious fanatics. This is deplorable," he said.

Mirza Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to journalists at the Thakurgaon district BNP office on Wednesday after inaugurating the new building of the office.

The BNP secretary general also demanded compensation for the victims of the fire at the Korail slum.

"Several thousand people live in the Korail slum in Dhaka. The fire has left those people destitute. For these poor families, this is a severe blow," he said.

He urged the government to arrange compensation for them and to conduct a proper investigation to unearth the real cause of the fire.

If any individual is found responsible, appropriate legal action must be taken against them, he said.

Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has criticised deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stating that the reported recovery of a large quantity of gold ornaments from bank vaults registered under her name exposed the extent of her alleged theft.

"I saw in the newspaper that 832 bhori of gold was found in two Agrani Bank vaults under Sheikh Hasina! How big a thief must someone be for this to happen? It is not surprised she fled. She knew she was a thief," he said.

Rizvi made the remarks while speaking at a Doa and Milad programme organised by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal at Nayapaltan Bhasani Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday, seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery and good health of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.