Staff Correspondent

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi strongly criticized the Indian Defense Minister's statement on Bangladesh and said that as the people of Bangladesh can endure torture for a long time, they know how to be united against foreign invaders. The people of Bangladesh are a nation of heroes - it must be kept in India's mind.

He said, during the 16-17 years of Sheikh Hasina's rule, no one could utter a single word. What the people of Bangladesh wanted and did not want, Sheikh Hasina did not borrow it. Because of this, Sheikh Hasina put people's backs against the wall in such a way that people took to the streets unitedly for her downfall without sacrificing her life.

He said these after paying respects on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the Nurses Association of Bangladesh at the shrine of former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam in Sher-e-Bangla city on Saturday.

Rizvi said, those who torture the people of their own country, kill them, make mirror houses and hold them for years, how will they manage the country? For some time, the country was run by killing and disappearing with the police. But people gave up the illusion of their lives and united and took to the streets and overthrew them.

Rizvi commented that just as the people of this country expelled the British, they expelled the Pakistanis in 1971, they also expelled Sheikh Hasina from the country on August 5.

Criticizing the Indian defense minister's statement on Bangladesh, Rizvi said that his statement is not only worrying, but whether it is a provocation or not has raised a question in the public mind.

Addressing India, he said that the people of Bangladesh are walking in the open air after chasing away a monster from the country. There is no more fear that I may be arrested, may disappear. Now people are moving freely, sleeping peacefully. Is this not what you (India) want? Let democracy return to Bangladesh, let the people live in peace - don't the policy makers of India like it?

Sheikh Hasina is not in Bangladesh today, the policy makers of India can not accept this problem? As we respect the independence and sovereignty of India. India should respect our independence and sovereignty.”

He also said that if you have contact with any group or person then the people of Bangladesh will not accept it well. As the people of Bangladesh can withstand torture for a long time, they know how to stand united and strong against foreign invaders. It should be kept in India's mind that the people of Bangladesh are a nation of heroes.

BNP Co-Nurses Affairs Secretary and NAB President Jahanara Begum presided over the event and party Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Executive Committee Member Md. Mahbubul Islam, Engineer Iqbalur Rahman Rokon, NAB General Secretary Md. Sujan Mia, Central Volunteer Team were present in the event. Leaders including leader Arifur Rahman Tushar and Central Chhatra Dal vice-president Dr. Tauhidur Rahman Awal.