BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday urged opposition parties not to extend any form of patronage to what he called the “defeated forces” of 2024.
Rizvi alleged that a deliberate campaign was underway to destabilise the country and create conditions for the political rehabilitation of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
He claimed the effort was also aimed at restoring the political system that existed before Hasina’s removal from power in 2024.
Rizvi made the remarks at a rally in front of the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, on Friday afternoon, ahead of a protest procession organised by Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal.
Speaking as chief guest, Rizvi alleged that forces defeated in last year's mass uprising were trying in various ways to create instability in the country, and that incidents of violence and sabotage were being engineered as part of a deliberate effort to destabilise the political situation.
He said opposition parties have the right to carry out democratic programmes, but no one has the right to resort to violence, arson or destruction of state property in the name of such programmes.
Criticising recent incidents of buses and trains being set on fire and cocktail explosions in Dhaka, Rizvi said such acts were effectively emboldening the "defeated forces."
He tied these incidents directly to the broader conspiracy he alleged, arguing that the resulting instability served the interests of those seeking Hasina's political rehabilitation.
The rally and procession, titled "against the conspiracy to destabilise the country through planned terrorism," saw Rizvi take aim squarely at opposition parties' recent street activities.
"You are holding long marches, you are holding protest rallies, you are climbing onto stages and roaring — saying you will beat someone like a dog. You are destroying state property, as you did by destroying the Rajshahi railway station," he said.
Responding to a statement by the Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Rizvi said, "The Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami is saying that what is happening in Bangladesh today — the programmes of the banned Awami League, their processions — the defeated fascists are being given this opportunity because of BNP... then under what opportunity are you breaking railway stations?"
Pointing towards the opposition, Rizvi said incidents such as vehicles being set on fire, and CNG-run auto-rickshaws and trains being torched, were occurring in various parts of Dhaka, and claimed these acts were giving courage and encouragement to the "defeated forces."
Rizvi has previously described recent arson attacks and bombings as part of a deeper conspiracy — a framing he reinforced on Friday by directly linking the unrest to efforts to bring Hasina and her allies back into political relevance.
Noting that attempts were being made to tarnish the July mass uprising and the victory of August 5, Rizvi said the democratic environment created through the sacrifices of those who gave their lives, were shot, and who carried water to their wounded comrades during the July movement, must be protected.
Criticising remarks made by the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami opposing a proposed increase in salaries for the president, prime minister, ministers and members of parliament, Rizvi said the government had not yet increased anyone's salary, and urged against pre-emptive criticism on the matter.
Central President of Jatiotabadi Swechchhasebak Dal SM Zilani, Chhatra Dal Central President Rakibul Islam, and other leaders of the organisations also addressed the rally.
The rally was followed by a procession, which started from Naya Paltan and ended in Gulistan.
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