BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged on Wednesday the government is pushing its chairperson Khaleda Zia towards death in a planned way as justice has disappeared from the country, reports UNB.
"I went to meet Khaleda Zia in court yesterday (Tuesday). I can't summon words to make you understand her condition. I didn't see her in such a state anytime in the past... she has been pushed towards death in a planned way," he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at a token hunger-strike programme organised by South Keraniganj BNP unit at the Nayapaltan central office in the city, demanding party chief Khaleda Zia's immediate release from jail.
The programme that began around 11:00 am continued until 4:00 pm.
He further said, "You (govt) have created such a condition in the country where there's no justice and fairness. Justice has disappeared from the country. This is unfortunate that from the highest court to the lower one everything is now running at the behest of the government."
Fakhrul said his party chairperson is so sick that she cannot hold her head straight while she is enduring serious pain in her whole body. "She neither can eat anything nor can keep any food in her stomach."
He alleged the court is not giving Khaleda Zia bail in many cases though other accused in those cases are out on bail.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader said his party leaders and activists will not sit idle. "We must move forward with action programmes."
He called upon the leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies in every upazila and district to take programme like token hunger-strike to mount pressure on the government to free Khaleda from jail.
Fakhrul alleged that the government is unwilling to release Khaleda from jail to prevent her from leading the nation in the movement for 'restoration' of democracy in the country."
He said the government has been staying in power by using state power, guns, intimidating people, filing 'false and fictitious' cases against thousands of opposition leaders and activists and sending them to jail.
The BNP leader warned the government that it will not be able to hang onto power for a long time by suppressing people. "You won't be able to keep people suppressed for a long time as they'll surely wake up to ensure your fall."
He urged the government to free Khaleda for the sake of democracy. "She'll be able to protect you (govt) and democracy if you free her."
Fakhrul also called upon the people of all walks of life to get united to build a democratic society by removing the current 'fascist and autocratic' regime.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said Khaleda is so sick that her life is now at stake. "She has to appear before the court with her falling health. But the court is not ensuring justice to her."
