Photo : Collected
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), serves as the office secretary and spokesperson at the BNP central office. He recently engaged in an interview with the Daily Messenger, discussing ongoing issues such as the boycott of Indian products and the current political landscape. The interview was conducted by our Staff Reporter, Abdur Rahim.
Daily Messenger: What is your comment on the twelfth parliamentary election?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: The entire world has not recognised the legitimacy of Sheikh Hasina's elections, whether in 2014, 2018, or 2024. Even our neighboring country India, which upholds democratic principles, is perceived to be advocating for the Awami League internationally, to legitimise what some view as illegal elections. There is a perception among some that India does not fully respect the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh, preferring to support one party's long-term rule. This perception has led to protests against India and calls for boycotting their products.
Daily Messenger: Is there any impact on the product ban announcement?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: People now go to the market and first ask the storekeeper if your store has Indian products or not. If there is, they are unwilling to purchase it. Apart from that there is a strong social protest against their products. I think the effect will be felt to some extent.
Daily Messenger: Is this your party reaction or personal?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: People are frustrated with this government. People of this country are angry with India who supported this government. The common people of the country have boycotted Indian products because of this and BNP has supported the interest of the people. I also expressed solidarity with the people's movement. There is now a social movement going on in the country about Indian products. People have reacted negatively to India for various reasons. People's anger towards India is not new today, when India lost a cricket match a few days ago, the people's attitude towards India is known from the cheering of the people of this country. India has made anti-people comments against the people of Bangladesh. Other countries of the world, including the United States, have asked for free, fair and acceptable elections in Bangladesh. Has this government made a statement against the people of the country with the help of a country? Developed countries did not comment on behalf of neither BNP nor Awami League, they were in favor of voting rights of the people of the country. It has become clear to the people of the whole country that India has directly supported the Awami League. For the people of the country, India will play a role like that of other countries, but it has not been reflected.
Daily Messenger: What will be the political role if people's anger increases?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: This is a grassroots social movement led by ordinary citizens of the country, and therefore, it is expected to generate considerable momentum. I personally find this social movement to be logical and justified, hence I expressed my agreement with it. However, I cannot predict at this moment whether this movement will ultimately influence the political trajectory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the future. I want to reiterate that my support for the boycott of products stems from its logical basis.
Daily Messenger: What do you say about the current economy and government of the country?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: From 1972 to 1975 the way Bangladesh was turned into a country of beggars, Sheikh Hasina wants to take the country to that stage. The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh has developed like Canada and Europe. A minister said, Bangladesh has surpassed Singapore. What do we see in the media? The mother took her child to market to sell. The sound of begging, the sound of asking for rice can be heard all around. We have never seen so many beggars on the streets. The sound of cries echoes all around us. Today, if one looks inside, they will witness the plight of impoverished individuals who are suffering from starvation.
Daily Messenger: Can you say something about BUET's student politics?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: Ordinary students are marching demanding an end to student politics. They are trying to stop student politics, but which student politics? They are wanting to stop the politics of terror, the politics of killing. Ordinary students are marching to stop that student politics. If there was good student politics, then there was no problem. They demanded to stop the student politics of the murder of Abrar.
Daily Messenger: You were in the movement without going to the election, but this time you were not successful. When will you be successful?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: The movement to ensure an environment in which voters can go to the center and vote freely has not stopped, the movement continues. We think that the farewell of the government is inevitable and the government must say goodbye.
Messenger/Fameema
