BNP suspends Fazlur Rahman for 3 months over ‘unsatisfactory’ show-cause response on ‘controversial’ July Uprising remarks

The BNP has suspended all party posts held by Fazlur Rahman, an adviser to the party’s chairperson, for three months as his response to the show-cause notice concerning his recent remarks on last year’s July Uprising was deemed unsatisfactory.

A reliable source at the BNP office confirmed the development to The Business Standard this evening (26 August).

The party has also asked him to exercise caution in giving public statements, whether on talk shows or social media, to avoid harming the country’s dignity or the party’s policies, party sources said.

BNP show-causes Khaleda’s Adviser Fazlur over controversial remarks on July Uprising

According to the suspension letter, Fazlur Rahman was issued a show-cause notice on 24 August, but he requested an extension without submitting a written response within the original deadline. The party subsequently extended the response period by 24 hours, yet his reply submitted on 26 August was deemed unsatisfactory.

“Considering your contribution as a heroic freedom fighter during the Liberation War, instead of taking strict organisational measures, your party membership and all posts at every level are suspended for three months. Going forward, you must ensure that your public statements on talk shows or social media do not harm the nation’s dignity, the party’s policies, or the religious sentiments of the people,” reads the letter.

In an instant reaction to the party’s suspension order, Fazlur Rahman wrote on Facebook, “I have deep respect for my party and am a staunch supporter of liberation. May God give me the strength to remain steadfast until my last breath.”

In the show-cause notice, BNP mentioned that Fazlur Rahman has been making “indecent and misleading statements’ regarding the historic July-August mass uprising and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives. 

“Your remarks contradict the party’s ideology and the spirit of the movement,” read the notice.

It stated that Fazlur’s comments have sparked strong public reactions and are viewed by many as an attempt to tarnish the party’s reputation, while also hurting religious sentiments. 

Recently, Fazlur Rahman was reported to have said that a “dark force” was behind the events of 5 August, though he has denied making this statement. 

“I never said that a ‘dark force’ was responsible for 5 August. Listen to my full speech. Show me where I said this. Don’t just quote two lines from YouTube. I didn’t make any such statement. If the full statement proves I did, I will apologise,” Fazlur said yesterday (25 August).