bangladesh
PM to address nation this evening
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday will address the nation on Tuesday evening ahead of Pahela Boishakh 1428.
“The Prime Minister will address the nation at 7:15pm on the occasion of the Pahela Boishakh (Bangla New Year),” said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
State-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television (BTV) will simultaneously broadcast the Prime Minister’s address.
Also read: PM to address nation this evening
Private television channels and radio stations will also air the Prime Minister’s speech.
Also read: Coronavirus: PM to address nation March 25
Global Covid deaths near 3 million
The pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world. In fact, Covid-19 has already claimed over 2.9 million lives and infected more than 136 million people globally.
The total case count reached 136,493,176 while the death toll from the virus climbed to 2,944,366 on Tuesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The US, the world’s worst-affected country, has so far registered 31,267,311 cases and 562,521 deaths, as per the latest data released by the university.
Besides, Brazil registered 1,480 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 354,617, the country's ministry of health reported on Monday.
The ministry also said that another 35,785 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide count to 13,517,808.
India is in the fourth spot in the Covid death tally behind the US, Brazil and Mexico, but stands second in terms of cases after US.
Also read: Covid-19: Hasina for balancing livelihoods and public health
India’s total tally reached 13,527,717 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 170,179 on Tuesday. The South Asian country has been under the grip of a second wave of Covid-19, despite mass inoculation across the country.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is seeing an increase in coronavirus fatalities, breaking its single-day death count record for the third time in as many days on Monday.
Health authorities confirmed 83 deaths on Monday afternoon, surpassing Sunday’s figure of 78. The number was 77 on Saturday.
Fatalities from Covid-19 rose to 9,822 as the mortality rate remained static at 1.42 percent for the fourth consecutive day, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
Bangladesh announced its first coronavirus death on March 18 last year.
Also read: Govt considering complete lockdown from April 14: Quader
Besides, 7,201 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, pushing up the caseload to 691,957.
Bangladesh has been of late seeing a record number of infections, with daily case count surpassing the 7,000-mark earlier this month before falling significantly on April 10 and April 11.
A sharp rise in the number of cases prompted the government to enforce a seven-day lockdown from April 5 but it was ineffective. The government extended the lockdown by two more days and announced to enforce a "strict seven-day lockdown" from April 14.
Vaccination drive
The government launched a vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India continues. Experts are calling for ramping up the drive and urging people to follow the health guidelines to keep themselves and others around them safe.
On April 8, Bangladesh began its second phase of inoculation amid uncertainty over vaccine availability.
'Folk Empress' Momotaz conferred honorary doctorate by Indian university
Momotaz Begum, leading Bangladeshi folk singer and MP, has been conferred an honorary doctorate by an Indian university.
According to a post on her Facebook page on Monday night, the singer received this honorary degree from Global Human Peace University in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu for her contributions to folk music in her three-decade-long career.
"Momotaz Begum has been awarded the prestigious 'Doctor of Music' by the university's founder and chairperson Dr P Manuel on April 10. The degree was presented to her, honoring her career and legacy for numerous achievements such as being the only music artist with a world record of 800 music albums, playing her role as a singer through upholding the pride of Bengali music in front of the entire world, popularising folk music in the society, achieving multiple National Awards in Bangladesh and engaging in many socio-cultural activities," the post read.
Apart from enthralling Bangladeshi audiences the world over for the past 30 years, Momotaz Begum has also been actively engaged in politics since 2009. She is currently serving as a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the ruling party from the Manikganj-2 constituency.
Youth arrested for raping housewife with friends
A delinquent youth was arrested for allegedly raping a housewife in Narail, and also filming the incident.
The arrestee was identified as Fahad Molla.
He was arrested on Sunday evening following two cases filed against him by the victim under the rape and pornography laws.
The incident took place at Kalinagar village in Narail Sadar upazila.
According to police sources,the victim was gangraped by Imran Mollah, Mamun Sheikh and Fahad Mollah of the village when she went outside her house to answer the call of nature. Moreover, they recorded the incident on a mobile phone and used it to blackmail the victim later.
When the perpetrators wanted to establish a physical relationship with the scared victim again in an attempt to take advantage of her silence, the victim went to the local Matabbars for justice.
After seeing no other alternatives, the victim went to the police station on Sunday and filed two cases. Later police conducted a special operation to catch the criminals and managed to arrest Fahad Molla.
Bangladesh's rape epidemic Bangladesh is facing a 'rape epidemic' despite recent government approval of the death penalty for the crime - not that evidence ever suggested it would have the desired effect.Earlier this month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years.Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below.Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed.However, ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape.
In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was attacked and raped in Noakhali.In November last year, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across Bangladesh.But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as victims of sex assault are often stigmatised in society.
Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna, goes back to virtual celebration with BTV
For the second year in a row, Chhayanaut announced that it will organize virtual programmes with Bangladesh Television (BTV) marking the traditional Pahela Baishakh instead of organizing its the traditional gathering at Ramna Batamul in the capital to welcome the Bengali 1428 calendar year, due to the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Via a press release, the organization stated on Monday that it had initial plans to arrange and record the programme at the Ramna Park without a live audience at the dawn of April 14, or pre-record the programme before that - however, it had to revert the last year arrangement based on the recent circumstances.“As we could not celebrate Pahela Baishakh 1427 through arranging our traditional cultural festivity under the banyan tree at Ramna Park, we had been preparing and rehearsing to organize the festivity this year without the crowd, and also we had plans to pre-record the programme if the situation restricts us to arrange on that day. Sadly, as we have been observing the recent surge of the pandemic and also as some of our artists are being infected with COVID-19 - we have decided to broadcast this year’s festivity through a special collaborative programme with Bangladesh Television (BTV) as last year,” Chhayanaut general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa said on the press release.
BTV, the regular broadcasting partner of Chhayanaut’s yearly New Year Celebration programme, aired the special programme on April 14 from 7 am to 8 am last year. This year's programme is also following the same schedule, she stated.“The programme will compile and showcase some of the new and previous performances of Chhayanaut artists, and this year we are featuring performances focusing on the Golden Jubilee of our glorious Independence. Aside from BTV, Chhayanaut will also broadcast the programme on its YouTube Channel Chhayanaut Digital - Platform," Lisa added.One of the most awaited festivities in Bangladesh, Chhayanaut and its traditional cultural extravaganza marking the Pahela Baishakh on April 14 has earned its fame as one of the grandest regular cultural celebrations in the world since its inception in 1961.
The traditional festivities in Ramna Park did not take place in 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, and 2020 marked the second year when the institution had to cancel its usual celebration due to the COVID-19 situation.
Khaleda is strong, stable: FM Siddiqui
The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who tested positive for coronavirus, was very stable with a strong immune system on Monday, said Prof Dr FM Siddiqui, the head of her personal medical team.
“We can say her (Khaleda Zia's) condition is very stable and she’s doing very well. We found her in a high spirit,” the physicians told reporters at Khaleda's Gulshan office after visiting her at her residence.
Also Read: Khaleda tests positive for Covid with no symptom: BNP
Dr FM Siddiqui hoped that Khaleda will be free from danger if her condition remains stable for one more week.
He said many local and foreign doctors are there in the medical team formed to ensure proper treatment to the BNP chief. “We the doctors, including those from the USA and the UK, are working as a team and ensuring her treatment in consultation. There’s no gap and doubt in her treatment.”
Replying to a question, FM Siddiqui also said Khaleda's immune system is still strong.
Asked if there is any possibility of taking Khaleda Zia to any hospital, he said, "You know there’s uncertainty regarding the Covid patient’s condition. No one in the world can say how corona will behave in the first week of infection and what will happen in the second week.”
"That's why we’ve taken all the necessary preparations. If we ever think she needs to be taken to a hospital, we’ll do it immediately as we’ve made such preparations,” FM Siddiqui added.
Also Read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
Some members of the BNP’s medical team, led by FM Siddiqui, entered Khaleda’s Gulshan residence around 5pm and stayed there for an hour.
The head of the medical board said they examined Khaleda’s health and found her oxygen level normal.
He said all who stay at Khaleda’s residence are infected with the virus and they are being given necessary treatment. “The good side is that most of them are asymptomatic. One or two of them initially suffered from fever, and now they all are fine. “Everybody has been kept in isolation and given treatment.”
FM Siddiqui said Khaleda urged all to pray for her and stay safe by maintaining health safety rules.
Khaleda underwent the Covid test on Saturday as eight other people at her residence were infected with the deadly virus and her report came out to be positive.
BNP leaders and activists arranged prayer sessions at different mosques across the country seeking her speedy recovery.
A milad mahfil and Qurankhawani was held at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office praying for Khaleda’s recovery from the virus.
Besides, prayer sessions were arranged at different temples, including Dhakeswari one, seeking her quick recovery.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
Police to issue movement pass during lockdown
Police will issue movement passes online for people who will need to go out for emergency purposes during the upcoming seven-day countrywide lockdown from April 14.
According to the Police Headquarters, movement passes will be required to go out during lockdown in case of emergency or official work.
The categories under which the pass will be issued have not been made public.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG-Media) Sohel Rana said that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed will inaugurate the app at Rajarbagh Police Lines on Tuesday.
People can apply for the pass at movementpass.police.gov.bd from Wednesday (April 14) night.
Conditional permission will be granted for a specified period of time.
The government is going to enforce a strict lockdown to curb the transmission of coronavirus. On Monday, the country saw the highest number of daily deaths from Covid-19.
Public apathy towards health rules resulted in a mass upsurge of coronavirus cases in recent days. Health experts have been urging people to properly follow the health guidelines.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death 10 days later.
Sonargaon Hefazat president, 3 others held from Dhaka
Local unit president of Hefazat-e-Islam and three other leaders were arrested from Dhaka’s Jurain in a case filed over vandalism at the Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3.
The arrestees were identified as Hefazat president of Sonargaon unit Mawlana Mohiuddin Khan, General Secretary of the unit Mawlana Shahjahan Shibli, Vice-President Mawlana Moazzem Hossain and the key accused Mawlana Iqbal Hossain, President of Khelafat Majlish.
Also Read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-11 Captain Lieutenant Colonel Khandakar Saiful Alam confirmed the matter in a press release.
On April 3, supporters of Hefazat Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque went on a rampage in Narayanganj and vandalised the Royal Resort, where he was kept in police custody after locals found him with a woman, who the leader claimed to be his 2nd wife.
Mahanagar Hefazat Secretary Ferdausur Rahman on April 3 said Mamunul went to the resort with his second wife where the local Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders confined and harassed him before calling in the police.
Also Read: Hefazat leader Azizul Haque Islamabadi held in Chattogram
Later, in the evening, madrasa teachers and students gathered in front of the resort and started chanting slogans demanding the release of Mamunul. At one point they tore down the main gate of the resort and ran riot after entering the property.
As the situation was getting out of control, police released Mamunul to the protesters. Yet they continued the vandalism at the resort until the law enforcement let Mamunul's claimed wife go too.
India's top court dismisses plea to scrap 26 verses from Quran
India's Supreme Court Monday (April 12, 2021) dismissed a petition seeking removal of certain verses from the Muslim holy book of Quran for allegedly "preaching violence against non-believers".
The apex court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner, Syed Wasim Rizvi, a former head of the Shia Waqf Board in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, for filing the "absolutely frivolous" petition.
"We have heard the counsel and dismiss the petition as it is absolutely frivolous,” said Justice RF Nariman, who led a three-judge bench hearing the plea. He also asked the petitioner's counsel to deposit the fine of Rs 50,000 as court expenses.
Read Hill Cutting: CDA contractor fined Tk 5.23cr
In his public interest litigation (PIL) plea, Rizvi, alleged that as many as 26 verses in the holy book “promote violence”, and were not part of the original Quran, but added in later revisions.
The verses in question were: Verse 2 Surah 191, Verse 3 Surah 151, Verse 4 Surah 56, Verse 4 Surah 89, Verse 4 Surah 101, Verse 5 Surah 51, Verse 5 Surah 14, Verse 5 Surah 57, Verse 8 Surah 65, Verse 8 Surah 69, Verse 9 Surah 5 and Verse 9 Surah 14.
Others included Verse 9 Surah 23; Verse 9 Surah 28, Verse 9 Surah 29, Verse 9 Surah 37, Verse 9 Surah 58, Verse 9 Surah 111, Verse 9 Surah 123, Verse 21 Surah 98, Verse 32 Surah 22, Verse 33 Surah 61, Verse 41 Surah 27, Verse 41 Surah 28, Verse 48 Surah 20 and Verse 66 Surah 9.
Also read: No evidence of disrespecting Quran found: Probe body
As per the petition, Islam is based on concepts of equality and tolerance but is “drifting away from its basic tenets” due to “extreme interpretation of the said verses … and is now identified with militancy, fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism".
The petitioner also asked for the federal government and Madrasa Boards across the country to be “called upon to ensure what steps are taken to avoid literal teaching of the verses advocating violence".
Last month, police in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly town booked Rizvi under the Indian Penal Code for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Muslims by filing the petition in the Supreme Court.
Read Quran recitation, prayers to stop coronavirus in Ramadan: Hefazat Ameer
Road accidents killed 409 pedestrians in 3 months: RSF
A total of 409 pedestrians, including 66 women and 97 children, were killed between January and March this year in road accidents, according to the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).A report prepared by RSF with information collected from seven national dailies, five online portals and electronic media reports, blamed 61.8 percent of the accidents on reckless driving and 38.19 percent on the insincerity of pedestrians.
Also Read: 513 lives lost in March road accidentsOf the road crashes, 123 (30.9 percent) occurred on highways, 95 (23.86 percent) on regional roads, 119 (29.89 percent) on village roads, 57 (14.32 percent) on city roads and 4 (1 percent) in other places.Among the deceased, 33.72 percent died in Dhaka division, 15.29 percent in Rajshahi, 14.9 percent in Chattogram, 9.8 percent in Khulna, 6.27 in Barishal, 4.7 percent in Sylhet, 6.66 percent in Rangpur, and 8.62 percent in Mymensingh.
Also Read: Road crashes kill 439 in Nov alone: ReportReckless driving, lack of driving skill, overspeeding, violation of traffic rules by pedestrians, and careless road crossing are some of the reasons identified by RSF for the frequent road accidents.