People will resist if fascism emerges again: Rizvi

Highlighting the spirit of the Amr Ekushey, BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Friday that people of the country would again take to the streets if any fascism and dictatorship arise, reports UNB.

"The spirit of Ekushey February is an indelible consciousness that will never fade. If fascism or any form of dictatorship arises again, the spirit of February 21 will inspire the youth and the people of this country to take to the streets in protest," he said.

He made the remark while talking to the media after placing a wreath in honour of the Language Movement Martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Rizvi said the spirit of February 21, which emerged from the Language Movement, is a revolutionary force that has been guiding them (nation) for generations. It cannot be destroyed or diluted.

Remembering the history of Ekushey, the BNP leader said it was the first step towards national independence. The nation gradually moved towards the War of Independence through the Language Movement.

He said, "Whenever we found ourselves under the grip of a dictatorship, country's people were deprived of democracy and lived in prisons, the year '52 inspired us, urging us to fight against tyranny. Over the past 17 years, we fought tirelessly, many leaders and activists disappeared and many were killed in crossfire.