Protect democracy, PM asks army

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the armed forces to resist with all strengths any act against the country’s constitution and democracy.​

“A vested quarter had used the armed forces in the past to hinder democracy. You (Armed Forces) have to ensure that no undemocratic force can come to power using the armed forces,” Hasina said while delivering speech to the officers of armed forces at Senakunja in the Dhaka Cantonment.

The call came four days after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said, while addressing a rally in Bogra, that the army would not play the role of “a silent spectator while people are getting killed” and that it would “play its role in due time”.

Addressing the armed forces officers on Thursday, the PM said the members of the armed forces should be imbued with the spirit of democratic rules and regulations so that they are respectful to the country’s constitution and the democratic government.

She expressed her firm commitment to further modernise the armed forces.

The PM also highlighted the success of her government over the past four years.

Chiefs of the three services also spoke on the occasion.

The March 24 speech of Khaleda, also the Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament, earned huge flak from different quarters, many of who termed the speech as a provocation for the army to step into the country’s politics.​

Addressing a press briefing at Rapid Action Battalion headquarters Wednesday, Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir said the government was considering taking legal steps against Khaleda on charge of inciting the army.