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BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said everyone has the right to criticise the government in a democratic environment.
However, instead of making sweeping allegations against the government or launching personal attacks, the real causes of the ongoing crisis in the country should be taken into consideration, he said.
Rizvi said the opposition can strongly criticise the government both inside and outside Parliament. It has carried out various programmes, including long marches, but there has been no incident of the government or anyone acting on its behalf obstructing such programmes, he added.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled “Role of the Government and Opposition in Establishing a Democratic State” as the chief guest.
Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote organised the discussion at the National Press Club this noon.
Regarding the adjustment of fuel prices, Rizvi said Bangladesh has to purchase diesel at around Tk 205 per litre, while it was being sold to consumers at Tk 115 per litre, resulting in a loss of around Tk 90 per litre.
Even after the recent price adjustment, he said, there would still be a loss of around Tk 70 per litre.
He said the price of diesel in Bangladesh is still lower than in Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India. Rizvi also claimed that the price adjustment was made in view of the rise in oil prices in the international market.
“When the price of a product is higher in one place and lower in another, the product naturally moves from the place where its price is lower to the place where it is higher,” he said, adding that a similar flow could also be created in the case of fuel oil.
Referring to various recent incidents of violence and arson, the BNP leader said buses and trains had been set on fire and cocktails exploded in different parts of the country. Those involved in such incidents should be exposed before the public, he said.
Those organising long marches against rising commodity prices or extortion should also organise long marches, protest meetings or processions against such destructive activities, he added.
Regarding misinformation about government activities, Rizvi said such misinformation could obstruct legitimate government activities or the functioning of the government.
He said efforts were currently underway to reorganise the country’s banking and financial sectors. Banks had been merged one after another, while depositors were receiving their money through allocations from Bangladesh Bank, he said.
Rizvi further said remittance inflows had increased recently and the country’s foreign exchange reserves had also risen significantly compared with the past.
As a result, Bangladesh has gained the capacity to purchase gas and fuel oil, he said.
Political Assistant to the Prime Minister Md Rashed Khan attended the discussion as a special guest.
Barrister Nasim Khan, chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, presided over the programme, while the alliance’s spokesperson S M Shahadat moderated it.
Central leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote also spoke at the programme.