Conspiracy afoot to eliminate nationalist forces: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said a conspiracy is underway to eliminate nationalist forces, reports BSS.
He said, "Various blueprints are being drawn up to weaken the nationalist forces after the Awami League. It should be thoroughly investigated whether the recent university elections are part of a conspiracy to eliminate nationalist forces."
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at the Diploma Engineers Association of Bangladesh (DEAB) auditorium in the capital's Kakrail on Saturday.
The event was also organised to pray for the good health of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and to mark the 18th anniversary of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's release from prison.

Rizvi said, "Many of those involved in the Mass Uprising are now trying to establish cultural hegemony. BNP has always championed political and cultural practices rooted in the soil and people of the country."
Citing the activities of Jamaat-e-Islami, the senior BNP leader said Islam was established in Bangladesh a long time ago. Therefore, if anyone tries to spread Maududi's ideology, the public has the right to express their views.
Regarding the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election, he alleged that the vice-chancellor has issued a 'code of conduct' barring former students from entering, which he believes, indicates "a one-sided election".
Rizvi also criticized the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) election, claiming that although the ballot papers could have been printed at a government press, they were instead printed at a private company owned by a close associate of a specific political party.
"Some Jahangirnagar University teachers have resigned from their duties in protest against these irregularities, which is a terribling sign for the country's higher education system," Rizvi added.
He warned, "The people of this country pray five times a day, but they also watch dramas and listen to songs on television-people's lives are multi-dimensional. However, if one-sided dominance is imposed, it will give birth to a new kind of fascism."
"The ultimate stage of fascism is the rise of extreme communalism and extremist religious politics, which can be terribly detrimental to a democratic social system," Rizvi added.