Movement to continue until restoration of democracy, voting rights: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General, Rahul Kabir Rizvi, stated on Thursday, "We demand the freedom to speak in our mother language without fear. Driven by the spirit of February 21st, our ongoing movement will continue until democracy, the peoples right to vote, and freedom of speech are restored in the country."

Speaking to reporters after offering fateha at the graves of Language Movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard, he declared, "Following the path of our language heroes, we vow to continue our one-point movement until we achieve our goal."

On Thursday morning, BNP leaders and activists gathered at 7:00 AM in front of Balaka Cinema Hall in Nilkhet, wearing black badges in remembrance. They proceeded to offer fateha at the graves of Language Movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard before visiting the Central Shaheed Minar.
Led by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party members finally reached the Central Shaheed Minar around 10:47 AM after a wait and placed a wreath at its altar.

Rizvi emphasized, "Our leaders and workers are not discouraged. They are, in fact, energized by their fight for truth and justice."

He accused the current Awami League government of stripping away peoples rights, including freedom of expression, similar to the actions of the Pakistani occupation forces. "The Awami League has essentially established an absolute monarchy in Bangladesh," Rizvi claimed.

He further stated, "The people of the country are denied their right to vote and have long demanded free and fair elections. Even after 53 years of independence, why must we still make this fundamental demand?"
Earlier on Tuesday, the party organized a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, to mark the day.

In observance of the day, BNP lowered their party and national flags to half-mast and raised black flags at their Nayapaltan central office at 6:00 AM.

Additionally, various BNP units across the country are holding programs to commemorate the day with due respect.