BNP’s Fakhrul Issues Warning: Bangladesh’s Existence at Risk if Extremism Is Not Contained

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that a new wave of extremism is rising in Bangladesh, and if it is not curbed, the country’s very existence could be at stake. He made these remarks on Thursday evening at Engineers’ Institute in Dhaka during a greeting and discussion session with Hindu community leaders on the occasion of Janmashtami. BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, joined the event virtually from London and delivered the keynote speech.

Fakhrul said, “A new conspiracy is unfolding today. A form of extremism is emerging in Bangladesh. This extremism must not be allowed to rise; otherwise, the existence of Bangladesh will not be protected.”

He also accused attempts to erase the memory of the 1971 Liberation War. He said, “The year 1971 gave us an independent country and territory. The martyrs of July 24–August dreamed of a new democracy. We must remember these two facts. Attempts are being made to forget ’71, and we must unite against it.”

Fakhrul cautioned against the political use of communalism, stating, “Communalism has been used as a political weapon in Bangladesh. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians—we must all unite to build a prosperous Bangladesh based on truth, justice, and humanitarian values.”

He added, “This country belongs to all of us. In times of crisis, people must be treated as human beings. If we forget ethnic, religious, or political differences and unite, the struggle to protect independence will succeed.”

Fakhrul highlighted that the birth of Lord Krishna symbolized the protection of the virtuous and the destruction of evil. Throughout history, religious cycles have guided people on the right path when injustice rises. He emphasized, “We are all citizens of this country—Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, BNP, Awami League, or anyone else. We are all friends.”

Criticizing the current government, he said that over the past 15 years, the Awami League has treated citizens as subjects, looted state resources, and transferred wealth abroad. “Around 88 lakh crore taka has been smuggled abroad. The question now is, how will the country’s economy survive?”

Greeting speeches at the event were delivered by BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moin Khan, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam, Acting President of Ganoforum and Vice President of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front Subrata Chowdhury, Chairman of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front Bijon Kanti Sarkar, and Dhaka District BNP General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury, among others.