‘BNP Has Now Become Raavan’: Nahid Islam

Nahid Islam, Chief Whip of the Opposition in Jatiya Sangsad and Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has sharply criticised the BNP, saying that after struggling for democracy for 16 years while out of power, the party has now started fighting against democracy after assuming power.

He made the remark on Saturday (11 April) morning while addressing a programme at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. Nahid Islam was present as a special guest at the triennial national conference of Shramik Kalyan Federation, the labour wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

“People say, whoever goes to Lanka becomes Raavan. They have now become Raavan,” said Nahid Islam. “After tasting power, they have forgotten the blood of the people.”

He accused the BNP government of betraying its promises. “They have broken their commitment to turn important ordinances of the interim government — including the Human Rights Commission Ordinance, Police Reform Ordinance, and Judiciary Independence Ordinance — into laws,” he said.

Nahid warned that in Bangladesh’s politics, those who break promises do not meet a good end. “This government, formed on the blood of students, workers, and the people, must remember that breaking promises will have consequences,” he added.

He called for preparations for a mass movement on the streets, alongside parliamentary efforts. “Through a people’s movement on the streets, we will force the current government to fulfil every demand, including the July Charter, referendum, and workers’ rights,” he said.

Nahid Islam further stated that the BNP government has betrayed the people, workers, and students. “This is no longer a pro-people or pro-democracy government. It is an anti-people and anti-democracy government.”

He added that national unity was essential due to the international war situation, but the current government has broken that unity. “The current Prime Minister must be held accountable,” he emphasised.