Grenade attack verdict proves BNP is a terrorist party: AL leader Hanif

The Aug 21 grenade attack verdict sentencing former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar to death and BNP leader Tarique Rahman to life in prison has ‘proved’ that it is a ‘terrorist’ party, Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif has said.

“The verdict is a proof that the BNP is a terrorist party that kills people,” the Awami League joint general secretary said at a discussion at a Dhaka hotel on Thursday. 

He also suggested outlawing the BNP and criticised the members of the civil society who spoke in favour of the party ‘to prove that they are impartial’.

Hanif expressed his frustrations at the BNP’s rejection of the verdict.

“The nation expected the BNP would offer apology and return to healthy politics, but Mirza Fakhrul (BNP secretary general) has rejected the verdict. It’s frustrating.”

The discussants questioned the BNP's political legitimacy after the verdict.

The BNP is collectively responsible for the dreadful action which limits the scope of viewing it as a normal political party, they argued.

Rights activist Khushi Kabir, Suchinta Foundation Chairperson Mohammad A Arafat, Ekattor TV CEO Mozammel Babu and Dhaka University teacher Selim Mahmud took part in the discussion moderated by Policy Research Institute’s Senior Economist Ashikur Rahman.

At another programme, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader again posed the question whether BNP chief Khaleda Zia can skirt the responsibility for the Aug 21, 2004 attack as she was the prime minister and in charge of the home ministry at the time.

He also refuted the BNP allegation that the government had ‘dictated’ the verdict.