Under fire, Fazlur Rahman says Uprising remarks not intended to harm BNP

His lawyer says he submitted a four-page written response to the party headquarters and will not speak to journalists

BNP’s senior leader Fazlur Rahman has submitted a written response to a show-cause notice, saying he has not taken any action or made statements that could harm the party.

His lawyer, Umme Kulsum Rekha, said on Tuesday that the four-page response was delivered to the party’s central office via a courier.

The party had asked him to explain his remarks about the July Uprising.

Although the reply was originally due within 24 hours, Fazlur was granted an additional 24 hours, expiring at 9pm Tuesday.

In the statement, the party chairperson’s advisory council member said: “I have not done, and will not do, anything that harms my beloved party BNP. I have full confidence in the leadership of the nationalist party and hope for fair judgment. I will remain loyal to any decision in the larger interest of the party.”

Controversy erupted after Fazlur told a TV talk show that the Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir were the “dark forces” behind the Aug 5 Uprising. His party later served him a show-cause notice.

On Sunday, a group gathered outside his Segunbagicha residence.

Fazlur then held a media briefing at the Law Reporters’ Forum, alleging death threats from a pro-government group, saying: “Those creating mobs are threatening my life. They have positioned themselves in front of my rented Segunbagicha house. I want the nation to know my life is in grave danger.”