Delhi allowing Hasina to speak is a ‘planned conspiracy’, says Rizvi

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi says that giving Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced by a tribunal, the opportunity to give a speech from New Delhi is part of a “planned conspiracy”.

The prime minister’s political advisor and BNP joint secretary general spoke to the media after laying wreaths at the graves of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) on Thursday morning.

Referring to Aug 5, he said it marked Hasina's fall from power and a mass uprising for “democracy, political freedom, freedom of expression, and the protection of Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty”.

He alleged that allowing Hasina to speak from Delhi on that day was a “deliberate move” by Indian policymakers.

 “This opportunity for Hasina to speak was granted to insult the martyrs of the great uprising. I strongly condemn and protest this despicable attempt.”

Rizvi said Hasina had first issued an audio message on Wednesday before appearing at Thursday's programme, which he said also featured the Global Journalists Club of South Asia.

“We believe that this was arranged by Indian policymakers.”

He added that Bangladesh had requested her return under the 2013 agreement between Bangladesh and India on the transfer of sentenced persons, but had yet to receive a response.

“The government has sent a letter to this effect, but there has been no response to that letter. The law regards the repatriation of a fugitive convict. This is the law for returning them and the two countries have signed it. 

“But even then, without repatriating her, she is being given an opportunity to engage in politics. I think it is an insult to our national sovereignty."

In a sharp tone, Rizvi said: "This is an insult from a neighbouring country that we call a friendly country. We should stand with each other on the basis of equal status. 

“But there, a fugitive convict was given an opportunity to express her political views and this was done with alongside and with the help of her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy… This is extremely unfortunate."

The veteran leader argued that the development amounted to interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs and undermined mutual trust between the two countries.

"When Bangladesh informed the Indian government that Sheikh Hasina was in Delhi, there was no response. Instead, she was given the opportunity to speak on Aug 5, the day she lost power. That was done deliberately."

Rizvi also referred to the casualties during the July Uprising, saying the movement had forced Hasina from office after the deaths of more than 1,500 students and young people.

“A terrible bloodthirsty dictator, the ‘fascist’ [Hasina], is now in a neighbouring country that they themselves claim is the largest democracy in the world. She is being given the opportunity to engage in politics, to speak in that country. 

“It is conspiracy to give allow her to speak on the day of her downfall, on the day when the revolution was achieved by the terrible shedding of blood."