This regime worse than ‘Hirak Rajar Desh’

Criticising the government’s actions centring the recent dengue outbreak, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday quipped that the government is worse than “Hirak Rajar Deshe” -- the regime in Satyajit Ray’s dystopian classic. 

 Speaking at a discussion organised by Doctors Association of Bangladesh  (DAB), he further said, “Newspapers have reported that they’re now  going to import two types of (mosquito-killing) insecticide that were  completely banned in Thailand. They also don’t know about the  effectiveness of those.”

 “Insecticides are not working as they (govt) imported it through corruption. They will now procure new insecticides and indulge in corruption further,” said Fakhrul.

DAB, a pro-BNP physicians’ association, arranged the programme marking its 30th founding anniversary.

Fakhrul came down hard on Health Minister Zahid Maleque for his “irresponsible” attitude and remarks. “He (Maleque) said he has no idea about how many people have so far died of dengue.”

 He also described Maleque as “cruel” and “inhuman” for his comment comparing the breeding of Aedes mosquito with the rise in Rohingya refugee population.

Fakhrul urged DAB leaders and activists to stand by people and help them overcome the dengue crisis.

 He advised BNP leaders and activists not to get frustrated over the current situation of the country. “We must overcome the adversities. We are trying to unite people who can only help change the situation. We will surely be able to defeat this regime if we can create a wave.”

Mirza Fakhrul also urged his party colleagues to go to people and encourage them to take to the streets.

He also reiterated his call to the government for holding a fresh election under a neutral administration, dissolving the current parliament before it is too late. “Otherwise, people know how to defeat such a regime,” he said.