Freedom fighter and senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Fazlur Rahman on Monday expressed fear for his and his family’s safety after a group of youths gathered in front of his Segunbagicha residence in Dhaka, chanting slogans against him.

‘They kept shouting ‘Arrest Fazu Pagla’ since morning. This term, ‘Fazu Pagla’, was first used by anti-liberation group Jamaat-e-Islami. Now these people are repeating it. Why are they targeting me?’ Fazlur Rahman flanked by his wife and a son, said at a press briefing at the Law Reporters Forum office at the Supreme Court.

Fazlur Rahman, also an adviser to the BNP chairperson, confirmed that he had been issued a show-cause notice by the party on Sunday.

‘I have no issue with the BNP’s notice. I will respond in due time,’ he said.

He said that such public gatherings have been taking place in many places since August 5, 2024 after ouster of the Awami League government.

Fazlur Rahman questioned why he was being publicly threatened for expressing his views.

‘If someone disagrees with my statements about Jamaat-e-Islami or others, they should respond politically or through legal means — not by inciting mobs or threatening to kill me,’ he said.

He emphasised that as a freedom fighter, lawyer, politician, and former lawmaker, he had the constitutional right to express his thoughts freely and live safely in this country.

‘I fought for this country’s freedom. Why should I fear expressing my opinion now?’ he asked.

He said that he had made speeches against anti liberation force Jamaat and his speech against them to be continued.