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BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi
The state must break away from the repressive culture of apprehending individuals merely for expressing dissent against the government or enforcing laws selectively along partisan lines, stated Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Political Adviser to the Prime Minister and Acting Secretary General of the BNP.
Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest on Tuesday (September 8) at a seminar titled "Recent Gas and Power Crisis: Responsibilities of Government and Citizens," organized by the Jatiya Ganatantrik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) at the National Press Club.
Addressing the ongoing energy situation, Rizvi argued that certain quarters are attempting to turn power and gas shortages into a political instrument to mislead the public and incite disorder in the streets. He maintained that the current shortfall is not of the government's making, but rather the cumulative result of Middle Eastern war dynamics, disrupted liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping lines, and sudden technical failures at the Moheshkhali floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). He stressed that the government has not remained idle, allocating an additional Tk 40,000 crore while actively engaging regional partners—including Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia—to arrange immediate alternate fuel shipments while repairs at Moheshkhali proceed.
He stated that while democratic traditions fully protect the opposition's prerogative to scrutinize and criticize government performance, political critics must act responsibly by presenting viable solutions rather than issuing threats to blockade roads under the guise of shutdowns.
Underlining the necessity of structural institutional reforms, Rizvi noted that Bangladesh’s democracy has repeatedly stumbled due to fragile public institutions. He called for strengthening and depoliticizing the higher judiciary, press, civil administration, education, healthcare, and police. Highlighting recent alarming data showing 15,000 children reported missing over a few months, he stated that while police recovered many, such figures demand deep institutional introspection regarding accountability and law enforcement capacity. He cautioned that if police forces are co-opted for narrow partisan ends, basic safety and justice collapse, reiterating that the era of arresting citizens for dissent or applying laws along political affiliations must come to an end.
Presided over by JASAS Central Convener and actor Helal Khan, the seminar was attended by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam as special guest, alongside Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kamrul Ahsan, JASAS Member Secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon, BNP Assistant Cultural Affairs Secretary Sayed Sohrab, and other senior leaders.
