BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said it is the high time for all pro-democratic people to be united.
"I don't know what kind of Bangladesh we are standing in right now. I am 78 years old. I have fought my life for an independent, sovereign, democratic Bangladesh. The Bangladesh I am seeing today is not the Bangladesh I ever dreamt of."
Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a protest meeting to express solidarity with the victims of the attack and arson on the daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and harassment of the daily New Age editor Nurul Kabir, also the President of the Editors’ Council.
Editors’ Council and Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) jointly organized the protest meeting at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel today.
Fakhrul Islam said today, the attack was not just on Prothom Alo or The Daily Star. It was an attack on democracy. My right to think independently, my right to speak that has been attacked again. The 'July War' has been attacked because the July War was the people's struggle to establish their rights."
Mirza Fakhrul said, It is now the time for all pro-democracy people and organizations to forge unity. We, who want to come out of the darkness and truly want to see Bangladesh as an independent, sovereign, and democratic nation, must not just be aware, but must stand up against this. Now is the time to stand up."
He further added, "I appeal to you all, just not to declare solidarity by coming here, or by holding a human chain. All of you who love Bangladesh to be united with all your might in every sphere and resist this evil force."
Among others present at the meeting were A. K. Azad, President of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), members of the Editors’ Council, and other distinguished personalities.
Leaders of various political parties, professional business and journalist organizations and representatives of civil society came to express solidarity at the meeting. After the protest meeting, they formed a human chain on the road adjacent to the Pan Pacific Sonargaon.
