Denying entry to Carlile not consistent with India’s democracy: BNP

BNP today expressed grave concern as British lawmaker Lord Alexander Carlile, also a legal consultant to the party's imprisoned Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was denied entry into India.

“We think the incident is not consistent with the democratic spirit of India,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said in a press statement today.

Lord Alexander Carlile, a top level British lawyer, landed the New Delhi Airport last night but the Indian authority did not allow him to enter the country for not having an appropriate visa for his intended purpose.

“We are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news,” Fakhrul said, adding that the globally renowned lawyer wanted to come to Bangladesh for extending legal aid to Khaleda Zia but failed.

The ruling Awami League has sent the BNP chairperson to jail illogically to meet its political vengeance and to hinder the way for smooth democratic practices in the country, Fakhrul claimed.

Earlier, Carlile wanted to raise his voice against the motivated imprisonment of Khaleda Zia through holding a press conference in New Delhi but he was denied of permission, the BNP secretary general said.

"We are carrying out movement against the repressive acts of the autocratic ruler. We believe that the entire world will remain beside us," he added.