Dhaka: Branding Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president and Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu as the enemy of democracy, BNP on Monday asked him to stop delivering lecture on democracy.

The party also asked him to quit if he fails to make clear before the nation his role in killing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

‘Inu has said whether Begum Khaleda Zia has crossed the door frame of democracy… It’s unfortunate that those who started politics resorting to terrorism and killing are now lecturing about democracy. It’s a mockery with the nation,’ said BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon.

He further said. ‘We would like to tell Mr Inu, you please don’t give sermons on democracy before the nation. You were the enemy of democracy and jeopardised it. People don’t want to hear the lecture on democracy from them who are its enemy.’

The BNP leader came up with the remarks at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.

Referring to AL senior leader Sheikh Selim’s recent remarks, Ripon said JSD and Inu had created the ground for the murder of Sheikh Mujubura Rahman. ‘We want tell Mr Inu that we alone don’t talk about your misdeeds. Top leaders of the ruling party also talk every day about the misdeeds you had committed during 1972-75.’

He said Inu has to tell the nation what was his role during the 1972-1975. ‘You should make it clear before the nation what was your role and that of your party and Gano Bahini in the murder of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He and his party also should apologise to the nation for their misdeeds at that time.’

The BNP leader said Inu should come up with his answer in the wake of allegation brought by the ruling party leaders regarding his role in the murder of Bangabandhu.

‘Step down if you can’t make your position clear before the nation,’ Ripon said.

Ripon said it is not possible to hold the real trial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder keeping in power those abetted the murderers and created the ground for the carnage.

Describing Inu as a ‘parasite’ minister, the BNP leader said he is making unguarded remarks about BNP chief Khaleda Zia irrelevantly only to protect his ministerial position. ‘Will you be able to remove the anger of many Awai League leaders and activists for your role in Bangabandhu killing only speaking against Khaleda Zia?’

He said though JSD had a negative attitude towards Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Inu and his party leaders are now busy calling him Father of the Nation in every word.

‘As they’re isolated from people and hated by them, they have no position in the politics of vote. Inu is now making derogatory remarks against Khaleda Zia to appease Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.’

Ripon demanded the government immediately release ailing BNP joint secretaries general Amanullah Aman and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for ensuring their better treatment.