Highlights
- Opposition leader Nahid Islam strongly criticized the current government.
- He accused the government of betraying democracy after coming to power.
- Claimed the government ignored workers’ sacrifices and public mandate.
- Alleged failure to implement key reform promises.
- Called on workers to prepare for street protests.
Opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizen Party, Nahid Islam, has strongly criticized the current government. He made these remarks on Saturday (April 11) at the triennial conference of the Bangladesh Sramik-Kallyan Federation, held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
‘Government Has Become Ravan’
Nahid Islam said that those who once claimed to fight for democracy are now acting against it after coming to power. He said,
“প্রবাদে আছে—যে যায় লঙ্কায়, সে হয় রাবণ। বর্তমান সরকারও আজ ক্ষমতার স্বার্থে জনগণের রক্তের কথা ভুলে রাবণে পরিণত হয়েছে।”
Translation: “There is a proverb—whoever goes to Lanka becomes Ravan. The current government has also forgotten the blood of the people and turned into Ravan for the sake of power.”
He highlighted the role of workers in the country’s history and major movements. He mentioned that from the 1947 independence struggle to the 1971 Liberation War and even recent mass uprisings, workers have played a key role.
Read More: Nahid Islam Warns Government Over Unfulfilled Commitments
Allegation of Betrayal by the Government
Calling the current administration anti-people, Nahid Islam accused it of betraying public expectations. He said,
“নতুন যে সরকার গঠিত হয়েছে, তারা শ্রমিকদের রক্তের ওপর ক্ষমতায় বসেছে। কিন্তু এক মাসের মাথায় তারা নতুন বাংলাদেশের সঙ্গে বেইমানি করেছে।”
Translation: “The new government has come to power on the blood of workers. But within a month, they have betrayed the vision of a new Bangladesh.”
He also claimed that the government ignored the public mandate expressed through a referendum. Nahid Islam said that many of those who participated, were injured, or lost their lives in the 2024 mass uprising were workers or from working-class families.
Failure to Implement Reform Promises
He accused the government of failing to fulfil important reform promises. He said,
“মানবাধিকার অধ্যাদেশ, পুলিশ সংস্কার ও বিচার বিভাগের স্বাধীনতার মতো জনগুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয়গুলোকে আইনে পরিণত করার প্রতিশ্রুতি থাকলেও তারা তা রক্ষা করেনি।”
Translation: “Although there were promises to turn important issues like human rights ordinances, police reform, and judicial independence into law, they have not been fulfilled.”
He warned that breaking promises in politics often leads to negative consequences.
Call for Street Movement
Nahid Islam urged workers to prepare for movements beyond parliament. He said,
“শুধু জাতীয় সংসদ নয়, আমাদের এখন রাজপথের প্রস্তুতি নিতে হবে।”
Translation: “Not just in parliament, we must now prepare for movements on the streets.”
He added that demands related to the July Charter and referendum must be realized through public protests.
Source: TBS
