Staff Correspondent:

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that defeated forces had a report published in The New York Times based on false information.

Speaking to the media at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan on Wednesday, Rizvi alleged that accomplices of fascism, who own illicit wealth worth thousands of crores, are using their illegal funds to tarnish Bangladesh’s reputation.

The senior BNP leader said: “There has been no rise in extremism in Bangladesh. On the contrary, there is no trace of fascism in the country at present. People are practising their religion freely and expressing themselves without fear.”

He added: “They celebrated Eid peacefully this time, whereas in the past, such ease was not possible. Under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, it was unimaginable.”

“Awami League accomplices are spreading misinformation worldwide. The so-called anti-terror operations orchestrated by Sheikh Hasina were mere theatrics designed to deceive the global community,” Rizvi said.

“This was a political strategy to retain power, as even a former inspector general of police mentioned in his book,” he added.

Rizvi claimed that the Awami League is spending black money to tarnish Bangladesh’s image abroad. “They are engaged in subversive activities to damage the country’s reputation, and their illicit wealth is being used for these purposes.”

He said: “Under Sheikh Hasina’s directive, people like Mugdho and Faiyaz were shot dead, yet she has shown no remorse in her statements.”

He added: “Awami League leaders who have fled abroad are trying to destabilize the country. Meanwhile, their associates are embedded throughout the administration.”

He also accused certain advisers of vilifying the BNP, saying: “Some advisers are engaged in a smear campaign against the BNP. One such adviser had conspired against the BNP in 2007 and is doing the same again.”

He added: “A farmer in Meherpur committed suicide after failing to get a fair price for onions, but these advisers remain silent on such issues. If they had dismantled the syndicates, farmers would have received fair compensation for their produce.”

Emphasizing the need for democratic governance, Rizvi said: “A democratic system must be restored in the country, and the government should be held accountable. Instead of focusing on their duties, certain advisers are busy defaming the BNP, which is a malicious act.”

Highlighting road accidents, he said: “Over the past two days, 20-25 people have lost their lives on the roads. If the administration had been proactive, such a high number of casualties could have been avoided.”

He concluded by conveying Eid greetings from Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman to the nation.

Rizvi also urged for necessary reforms and swift elections, saying: “A government elected through fair elections is a legitimate government. Any delays or uncertainty regarding elections will only create further doubts among the people.”

Notably, The New York Times, in a report published on Monday, warned of a possible rise in religious extremism in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The report highlighted concerns regarding political instability creating a vacuum that could empower religious fundamentalists.

It also cited incidents such as opposition to girls playing football and mobs rescuing a man accused of harassing a woman from police custody, suggesting that these trends could have wider regional implications.