BNP accuses govt of wooing Hefazat to get its vote

Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government is trying to have Hefazat-e-Islam in its fold convincing it in many ways ahead of the next polls.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he, however, said their party has no interest to follow the same tactics to woo Hefajat.

"Our party's position (on Hefajat) is very clear as we don't follow a double-standard policy. Awami League is doing it wonderfully. After beating and attacking them, now they (govt) are saying 'let us make friendship and get close'. But, we don't do it," Fakhrul said.

Replying to a question, he said their party supports only justified demands, not all, of Hefajat.

The BNP leader said their party thinks it is necessary to modernise madrasah education so that their students can turn into a workforce. "We want to develop madrasah education system and update its curriculum. This is our party's stance."

BNP leaders have been criticising the government since Allama Ahmad Shafi and Alem-Ulema of the Hefazat-e-Islam-supported Qawmi madrasah met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last week.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister announced the recognition of certificates of Dawra-e-Hadith under Qawmi Madrasah Education Boards as equivalent to Master's Degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic.

Fakhrul said the BNP-lead government in 2006 gave the same recognition to Qawmi madrasah certificates, and a gazette notification was also issued in this regard subsequently. "The government is now trying to convince them (Hefajat) to make a good relation with them presenting the same issue in a different manner."