BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is addressing journalists after placing wreaths to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Sher-e Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on Saturday. Democracy is in exile even today in the 50 years of independence, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

The country is in the grip of dictatorship, Fakhrul told reporters after paying homage to Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths together with BNP leaders and activists at the National Mausoleum in Dhaka on Saturday morning. Later, they went to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Sher-e Bangla Nagar and placed a wreath there. They also offered a munajat there seeking salvation of Zia's departed soul.

“The goals, the desires, and the dreams we had in our hearts during the Liberation War, have shattered completely. Today, even after 50 years of independence, people do not have the right to vote, they do not have freedom and opportunity to do politics,” said the BNP secretary general. Fakhrul said Bangladesh has become a completely authoritarian, fascist state.

“Party chairperson Khaleda Zia is still imprisoned and acting chairman Tarique Rahman, also in exile in false cases. More than 600 leaders and activists of the party were subjected to forced disappearances,” he said.  Fakhrul said the country is in the grip of a terrible, miserable dictatorship.

He said, “When we are paying homage to martyrs then at the same time, we have taken an oath here that we will liberate democracy in the same way that we liberated the country.” The BNP secretary general said they will establish a government of the people through a fair, free and credible election under a truly neutral government.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, chairperson’s adviser Amanullah Aman and Dhaka district unit BNP president Dr Dewan Mohammad Salauddin, among others, were present.