BNP leader Gayeshwar fears arrest of top politicians as in 2007-’08

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has expressed concern that all top politicians of the country would land in jail ‘soon’ again like the arrest spree during the 2007-’08 military-controlled caretaker government.

He says it seems to him that the government is “forcing” the country towards such a path that “may lead us to jail in the near future”.

“The way this country is being run, we (BNP leaders) will meet them (leaders of ruling Awami League-led coalition) in jail after a few days,” Roy said at a discussion in Dhaka on Monday.

“I think we all will enjoy jail together,” the BNP Standing Committee member said.

“... from what (Prime Minister) Sheikh Hasina is doing after consulting others, from what Mr Inu (Information Minister JaSoD chief Hasanul Haq Inu) and others are instigating, I think there will be a grand reunion.

“May be we will clean the jail first and then receive them. 

“But everyone will have to go,” Roy said.

Roy played a key role in conducting party activities when top BNP leaders, including Chairperson Khaleda Zia, were arrested on corruption charges during the military-backed caretaker government’s regime. Roy was also arrested, but freed on bail.

Leaders of other parties, including Awami League chief Hasina, were also arrested. Media’s freedom of speech was curbed during the emergency.

Recalling the days in jail, Roy said, “Motiur Rahman Nizami (Jamaat-e-Islami chief meanwhile hanged for war crimes) led prayers as an imam at that time. Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim (Awami League presidium member) and others offered prayers behind him.”

“Together they sat, recited and translated the Quran. All who were in jail at the time know it,” he said.

“It means snakes, frogs, mongooses...all lived together,” he added.   

The discussion programme where Roy spoke was organised to commemorate last week’s death of journalist Sadek Khan.

Roy criticised the media’s coverage on the arrests of magazine editor Shafik Rehman and BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury. Rehman was arrested over a plot to abduct and kill Hasina’s son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy in the US and Aslam over conspiring with Israel to topple the government.

“Media are not maintaining their own level. You can’t be in the media if you are not pro-Awami League, which means you will not be able to write about the government’s shortcomings,” Roy said.

“A newspaper faces action if it writes against the government...the media do not have the freedom to write about the government’s shortcomings,” he added.