Bangladesh govt using fascism to suppress dissent, opposition alleges

Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition and chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has accused the government of abandoning its promises and resorting to fascism to suppress dissent. Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka, Rahman warned that the opposition would return to the streets if political disputes could not be resolved within parliament.

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If parliament fails to resolve the issues, the streets will be our destination.

Rahman drew parallels between the current government's actions and those of past fascist regimes, alleging the use of "conspiracies, propaganda and force" to quell opposition. He questioned why a party that had previously experienced repression was now mirroring the behavior of a "fascist government." The opposition leader also criticized what he described as the "politicization of state institutions," citing the appointment of partisan figures to key positions.

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Whatever the fascists did in the past, we are seeing an exact copy of that in you. Just as they resorted to conspiracies, propaganda and force to suppress dissent, you have already adopted all those methods.

He further cautioned the government against "opportunists" surrounding it, likening them to a cobra that could eventually turn on its caretaker. Rahman stressed the importance of tolerating criticism, stating that those in power must accept it if they wish to remain in their positions. The sentiment was echoed by other speakers, including Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, who linked the current struggles to the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and the July 2024 Uprising, both fought against discrimination.

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Remember, if you nurture a cobra with milk, one day its bite may cost you your life. These people belong to no one. They destroy society and ultimately destroy themselves.

Other opposition figures also voiced concerns. LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmad urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to heed the people's aspirations rather than "foreign agents." National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary cited power and fuel shortages, banking sector issues, and rising political violence as evidence of the government's failure to enact the promised systemic changes.

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A person and his responsibilities are not the same. Those in office will face criticism, and if they want to remain in office, they must learn to tolerate it.