Bangladesh is now ruled by an oppressive regime, says opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain before urging all to unite to topple it.
“An oppressive rule in an independent and sovereign nation is not acceptable. We must unite to fight against this regime,” he said after paying homage to the 1971 war heroes on Sunday (Dec 16), when the nation is celebrating the 48th Victory Day.
Speaking to media at the National Memorial in Savar, Dr Kamal, who leads the political party Gano Forum, said millions died in the 1971 Liberation War to restore rule of law in the country.
“We have emerged as an independent country, but its people are yet to be free. The people earned independence through unity and they will have to get united to protect it,” he said.
Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Ra b and other Oikya Front leaders accompanied Dr Kamal at the memorial at Savar in outskirts of capital Dhaka.
The BNP and Oikya Front have been blaming the government for carrying out mass arrest and harassment of their contenders, leaders and activists deliberately across the country ahead of the Dec 30 national election.
After announcement of the election schedule, BNP has been lodging complaints with the Election Commission (EC) seeking its step to stop the ongoing arrests and harassment for creating a level-playing field for a free, fair and credible election.
Eyeing the 11th parliamentary election, Dr Kamal launched the Jatiya Oikya Front coalition in October with the BNP, Rab’s JSD and Mahmudur Rahman Manna's Nagorik Oikya, which was later joined by Kader Siddiqui-led Krishak Sramik Janata League.