Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned why India cannot hand over those accused of involvement in the killings during the July movement if it was able to extradite a person involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Rizvi made the remarks at a meeting on Wednesday, where he also spoke about the political environment in Bangladesh, the government’s handling of the energy crisis and Bangladesh’s participation in international forums.

Commenting on the opposition’s activities, Rizvi said opposition parties were openly criticising and even using harsh language against the government, while also making statements abroad. Despite this, he said, none of the opposition figures had been subjected to enforced disappearance.

“Opposition parties are criticising the government, using abusive language and making false statements abroad. But none of them has been disappeared. This is an expression of democratic rights,” Rizvi said.

On the Prime Minister’s participation in the BRICS summit, Rizvi claimed that although the prime minister of an independent country had been invited as the chairperson, she was allegedly offered only a limited role at the event and would have had to remain on the sidelines.

He said the Prime Minister chose not to attend after considering the country’s sovereignty and dignity.

Rizvi also raised questions over the extradition of individuals accused of involvement in the killings during the July movement.

“If India can hand over a person involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, why should there be any problem in handing over those involved in the killings during the July movement?” he asked.

Rizvi further alleged that a group was conspiring around former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to him, although some people speak to her in a friendly manner in person, they are allegedly engaged in conspiracies against her behind the scenes.

Addressing concerns over gas and fuel shortages, Rizvi said there was no lack of commitment from the government when it came to importing fuel. He said the government was continuing its efforts to ensure that households could keep their stoves burning despite the ongoing global energy crisis.

He added that the government was working continuously to maintain energy supplies and mitigate the impact of the global fuel crisis on ordinary people.