Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that cases filed against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam prove that the country is facing a crisis of free-thinking.
Addressing a protest rally, Alamgir said that 37 cases had been filed against Anam related to the ongoing crisis of
free-thinking.
Alleging that treason charges are brought against those who criticise the government, the BNP acting secretary general said similar charges were also brought against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia when she criticised the government.
Mentioning that criticism of the government is usual in a democratic system, the BNP leader said, “But, now nothing can say or write against the government. A sedition case is being filed if any one says or writes anything against the government.”
He criticised the government for filing a sedition case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia over her comment on the number of the country’s Liberation War martyrs, saying the government has taken a project to weaken BNP.
Fakhrul urged people to raise their voice for restoration of their rights. Or else, he cautioned, no will be able to escape government repression and harassment.
Fakhrul warned that the government will not be able to cling to power for long by misleading people.