Dhaka, Aug 20 (V7N) - BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, asserting that she should face trial here. 
 
"We call on you to legally hand her over to the Bangladeshi government. The people of our country have decided she must stand trial," he said.
 
Speaking at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul acknowledged the need for time to address current issues and expressed hope that the interim government will implement necessary reforms for a fair election.
 
He praised the interim government's initial efforts, noting their commendable work over the past 11 days. 
 
He criticized former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for fleeing the country amid student-led protests and accused her of plotting to undermine the revolution from India. 
 
Fakhrul claimed that the past 15 years under Hasina’s leadership had devastated democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, while burdening the country with significant debt and corruption.
 
Newly elected BNP Standing Committee members, Hafiz Uddin and AZM Zahid Hossain, also spoke at the event. Hafiz Uddin honored the martyrs of the anti-discrimination movement and pledged that BNP would continue to advance the country. He thanked the military for their role in the recent revolution and stressed vigilance against potential future dictatorships.
 
Zahid Hossain promised to address his responsibilities effectively and track those who went missing during the movement for democracy. He emphasized the need for a prompt formation of a people's government through necessary reforms and urged learning from past mistakes to prevent future authoritarianism.
 
Regarding BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s health, it was reported that she is receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital. Decisions about her potential transfer abroad will be made based on the medical board’s recommendations.
 
END/AJ/SMA/