Abbas slams parties exploiting religion to terrorise voters

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas on Wednesday came down heavily on certain political groups who, according to him, exploiting religion to terrorise voters ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Addressing the inauguration of a free medical camp at Siddheshwari Balur Math in the capital, Abbas alleged that some parties have crossed all ethical and democratic limits by threatening voters with divine punishment and even physical violence.

“They have reached such a level that they are talking about heaven and hell, and openly threatening that people will be hacked to death if they don’t vote for them,” he said.

Without naming any party, he drew a direct link to 1971: “Those who were known as Razakars and Al-Badr, who handed over the people of this country, handed over our mothers and sisters to the Pakistani forces. Today the same forces are again asking for votes and speaking with arrogance. Did they ever want this Bangladesh?”

In a stinging remark, Abbas declared: “The Awami League is a barbaric and uncivilised party – but Awami League was perfect for them (the Razakars and Al-Badr). They truly deserve each other because they cannot live among civilised people.”

“Their voices are now so loud only because we cannot behave the way Awami League did with them,” he added. “They follow Maududiism, not the true spirit of Islam. They only wear the clothes of Muslims.”

Warning the public to stay vigilant, he added: “People must be careful of those who are using religion not as faith but as a weapon of fear. We have to safeguard the sanctity of the vote.”

The remarks, delivered in a packed venue, have intensified political temperatures at a time when Bangladesh is witnessing growing polarisation ahead of the polls.

No immediate response has been issued by the party widely understood to be the target of Abbas’s attack.