United News of Bangladesh

BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin submitted his nomination paper on Sunday for the upcoming by-election to the Thakurgaon-1 constituency. He submitted the nomination paper to Returning Officer and District Election Officer Md Kamrul Islam at his office at noon. Local leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were present at that time. After submitting his nomination paper, Mirza Faisal said he wants to work to fulfil the expectations of the people and sought cooperation from all, including party leaders and activists and voters. Political activities in the constituency have already intensified ahead of the by-election, with nomination collection and submission generating enthusiasm among candidates and their supporters. Earlier, on September 20, district BNP Treasurer Md Nur-e-Shahadat Swajan collected the nomination paper on behalf of Mirza Faisal. Meanwhile, Delawar Hossain submitted his nomination paper on Saturday as the candidate of the 11-party alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. According to the election schedule, voting in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election will be held on October 29.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday said government jobs should not be treated as rewards for political loyalty, alleging that political and family identities had influenced the recruitment of assistant teachers at government primary schools. “Government jobs are not rewards for allegiance to any political party,” he said in a press statement issued yesterday “Political or family identity cannot be a substitute for merit and qualification,” he added. Porwar expressed concerns over reports that at least 778 finally selected candidates in 27 districts had not received appointment letters despite passing the written and viva examinations. He alleged that many candidates had been excluded from the recruitment process in the name of verification, raising questions about transparency and impartiality in public sector recruitment. Questioning the exclusion of candidates after their final selection, the Jamaat leader asked under what law and criteria, and on whose decision, they had been dropped. He said the government must publish a full list of the candidates who had not received appointment letters and disclose the specific reasons for excluding each of them. Porwar also demanded that the authorities make the verification criteria public and launch an impartial investigation into allegations of irregularities and discrimination in the recruitment process. He called for accountability for those responsible and immediate appointments for any candidates found to have been unfairly excluded.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Saturday questioned whether any government exists in the country, after a maternal and child healthcare facility, which had served the community for five decades was demolished overnight in the capital. In a statement, Nahid said the razing of the Radda MCH-FP Centre, which had run maternal care and vaccination programmes for 50 years, exposed how fragile the country's law and order situation has become, as vandalism and looting continued through the night while law enforcement remained silent and unmoved. "A country cannot run this way," he said, adding that the demolition and takeover of a hospital in the heart of the capital, carried out like illegal land grabbing, raised public questions over the very existence of a functioning government. Nahid said locals allege that BNP reserved-seat lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Misty and an influential leader of Dhaka North BNP were behind instigating the vandalism and occupation of the facility. He further said the home minister's largely inactive role, despite the steady deterioration of law and order over recent days, was a matter of shame for the entire nation. "Our clear demand is that everyone involved in the vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre must be arrested immediately and brought to justice," Nahid said. He also demanded that the masterminds behind the incident be identified and brought under the law, ensuring exemplary punishment for the guilty.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has urged students to engage in debating, cultural and other creative activities alongside their academic studies. He said the integrated development of academic and co-curricular activities is essential for producing capable citizens and future leaders. The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘DUDS-ActionAid National Debate Festival 2026’, organised by the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS) in collaboration with ActionAid at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University on Saturday. He formally inaugurated the debate competition, in which 24 teams from different universities across the country are participating. The LGRD Minister said students are the future leaders of the country and will take responsibility in various sectors over the next 10, 15 or 20 years. “Therefore, they have to start preparing themselves for the future from now. Even if they play a role in politics, social affairs or the economy, they must not neglect their studies in any way,” he said. He said debating plays an important role in developing students’ logical thinking, ability to express opinions and leadership skills. “However, merely participating in debate competitions is not enough. Students need to engage in various creative and co-curricular activities to develop their overall knowledge and skills,” he said. Recalling his student life, Dr Moyeen Khan said he participated in debate competitions as a student of Fazlul Huq Hall at Dhaka University nearly 60 years ago. He also recalled his experience of representing the hall and becoming champion for three consecutive years. The minister said one of the special strengths of the student community is its ability to speak out against injustice and irregularities. “Throughout the history of Bangladesh, students have played an important role in bringing about change at different times,” he said, urging the younger generation to use this strength and sense of responsibility positively. Dr Moyeen Khan said quality education and universities are among the key foundations of a country’s progress. “A country can move forward in the long run only on the strength of knowledge, research and education,” he said. He stressed that teachers and students must properly fulfil their respective responsibilities to preserve the glorious tradition of Dhaka University. Thanking DUDS, the minister said the organisation should not limit itself to organising debate competitions but should be developed as an effective platform for advancing academic and co-curricular activities at the university. “Through this, a new generation enriched with knowledge, skills, values and leadership can be developed, who will contribute to taking Bangladesh to a more dignified position globally in the future,” he said.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday urged opposition political parties not to “encourage” or give any concession to what he called the defeated forces of 2024, alleging that they are trying in various ways to create instability in the country. He said acts of violence and sabotage are being carried out as part of those efforts. Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a rally organised by the BNP's three main affiliates - Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan before a protest procession. He said conspiracies are being hatched to politically rehabilitate ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and restore the previous political system. “None of the attempts to undermine the political change that came through the mass movement of 2024 can be allowed to succeed,” he said. Rizvi was clear in stating that the defeated forces had no right to conduct activities on the streets. while all other political parties have full rights to hold rallies and programmes on the streets. While asserting that holding political programmes and criticising the government are democratic rights, Rizvi also reiterated that  "no activity should be carried out that could provide an opportunity for the defeated forces to organise politically again.” Rizvi said some opposition figures are making what he described as “irresponsible remarks”, spreading propaganda and making allegations, but the government led by Tarique Rahman had created a democratic environment in which opposition parties could hold long marches, rallies and speak from stages. “You are holding long marches, organising protest rallies, making threats from the stage to beat people like dogs, chasing people and destroying government property, as was done at Rajshahi Railway Station by these covert and dormant people. You know this, don’t you? You knowi,” he said. Referring to comments by the secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, Rizvi said the Jamaat leader had claimed that the BNP and its government had created an opportunity for the defeated “fascists” to carry out their activities. “If that is the case, then under what opportunity are you vandalising railway stations? On what basis are you telling Chhatra Dal activists that you will beat them like dogs? Under what opportunity are you saying this? You are talking about them!” he said. Rizvi asked who was setting vehicles and CNG-run auto-rickshaws on fire and who was setting trains on fire in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh. “You are creating that opportunity today,” he said, alleging that the situation created by what he called their “petty forces” and “covert and dormant” elements is encouraging the defeated forces. Rizvi said the current situation should not be allowed to tarnish the sacrifices made during the July Uprising and the victory of August 5, 2024. Rizvi also congratulated and thanked the prime minister for the speech and expressed full solidarity with the rally and procession organised by the three front bodies. Jubo Dal, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal.

Dhaka University unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the NCP, on Friday held a “Red Card to BNPization” program, accusing the government of politicizing primary school teacher recruitment and depriving qualified candidates of jobs in the name of police verification. The human chain program was held at Raju Memorial Sculpture on Dhaka University campus around 7:30pm. The protesters demanded an end to political discrimination in public recruitment, an impartial investigation into allegations of recruitment irregularities, reinstatement of candidates whose appointments were cancelled following verification, and a transparent, merit-based recruitment process. Addressing the program, Kurratul Ain Kaniz, vice-president of the Shamsun Nahar Hall Students’ Union, said meritorious young jobseekers had sacrificed their lives during the 2024 mass uprising, but were now being subjected to harassment and facing obstacles in the recruitment process. “After being elected, the BNP government is now harassing those meritorious jobseekers and obstructing their recruitment process. We strongly condemn such activities,” she said. She said Chhatra Shakti and students and members of the public across the country would stand beside the affected jobseekers. “We are showing a red card to the BNP government,” she said. She also demanded the immediate reinstatement of candidates whose appointments had been cancelled despite being recommended for government jobs. “If the government betrays the students again, we will once again build a strong movement against the BNP with the participation of students, as we did during July,” she said. Hasib Al Islam, president of the DU unit of Chhatra Shakti, alleged that the BNP government was appointing its party supporters to various positions after assuming power. “Their only qualification is that they are BNP leaders or activists. No country can run this way,” he said. He also alleged that students and members of the public were being subjected to harassment in the name of police verification and demanded an immediate end to it. “The politicization of primary teacher recruitment and the exclusion of qualified candidates must be reversed immediately,” Hasib said. He said candidates who had been excluded on political grounds or because of their political ideology should be reinstated, while membership of an organization affiliated with the ruling party should not be used either to deny or grant jobs irrespective of merit. “If you do not turn back from this path of politicization, we know how to remove you from power,” he said. Hasib urged the government to follow what he described as the spirit of the July mass uprising, building a state based on equality and free from discrimination. Meanwhile, the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir also demanded an end to harassment and deprivation of candidates in government recruitment in the name of police verification, as well as merit-based recruitment and an end to political discrimination. In a statement issued Friday, it demanded an impartial investigation into allegations of political discrimination and recruitment deprivation, fair remedies for victims and a transparent, merit-based recruitment system. The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) also demanded prompt measures for candidates who have not received appointment letters for primary school teaching posts and an end to harassment in the name of verification.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Thursday alleged that the ousted Awami League was involved in a fresh conspiracy to create an unstable situation in the country through ‘anarchy and terrorism’. “You have noticed that for the past few days, that banned organisation has been involved in another conspiracy. In various ways, they want to create an unstable situation through anarchy and terrorism,” he said. The water resources minister made these remarks while addressing a protest rally arranged by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Shahbagh in the capital. He alleged that the Awami League was involved in conspiracies from inside the country and outside the country along with another force, saying BNP was continuing its struggle against what he described as two malevolent forces. “We are working and fighting for our country and continuing the development journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” Anee said. He said the government is pursuing a development plan while maintaining its political activities on the streets. The minister also criticised the parliamentary opposition, alleging that it had shown a lack of cooperation and political restraint in recent months. He claimed that political discourse had deteriorated into abusive language and alleged a lack of political etiquette and civility among the opposition. The rally followed a protest procession from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh against what the organisers described as a conspiracy to destabilise the country through planned acts of violence.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said opposition parties have the right to strongly criticise the government both inside and outside Parliament, but they should refrain from using offensive language against the prime minister. He was speaking at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the second death anniversary of journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi. Rizvi said the BNP government is facing opposition from the 11-party alliance, but the government has repeatedly made it clear that opposition parties have the right to hold programmes, speak and strongly criticise it. He said the two long marches organised by the opposition passed without any obstruction. “Let them speak. There is no problem with that. But our objection is somewhere else,” he said, adding that democracy does not mean that anyone can say anything in any manner. “Whatever you say, you should speak the truth,” the BNP leader said. He said the opposition could make different statements about any crisis, but criticised their remarks suggesting that a decision will have to be made within one or two days on how the Prime Minister will resign. “When it turns ‘tui-tukari’ [an informal and disrespectful form of address], that is the culture of fascism,” he said. Rizvi also referred to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, alleging that he had used similar language while addressing late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. He said the previous government had promoted a culture in which opposition parties were portrayed as having no right to exist politically or speak, while the media was controlled and such propaganda continued for 17 years. “Why should that be repeated?” the BNP leader said, adding that they were compelled to respond because there was a repetition of such behaviour in recent political programmes. He said strong criticism could be made while still using decent words, adding that this is what the BNP is trying to do. Citing information from intelligence agencies, Rizvi claimed that people are being instructed over the phone from a neighbouring country to collect bombs from specific locations, take photos after exploding those and send the photos to those giving the instructions in exchange for payment. He underscored the need for unity among political forces on certain issues not only to protect the democratic process but also to prevent a recurrence of what he called fascism. “If fascism returns, forget democracy; the state itself will not remain,” he said.  

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday alleged that “covert forces” inside the country are supporting what he described as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s conspiracy to destabilise Bangladesh. “The fugitive fascist is trying to destabilise the country by pulling the strings from India, while the covert and dormant forces inside the country are fanning the flames,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks at a protest rally and procession organised by Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the afternoon. The programme was organised against what the organisers described as planned violence and arson in the country. Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani presided over the rally. Rizvi said the BNP’s struggle for democracy over the past 17 years was led by Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Describing the BNP as a party of the people, he said it can take to the streets against injustice, oppression, irregularities, violence and attempts to destabilise the country, and demonstrate that its strength lies with the people. Referring to protests over rising fuel and gas prices, Rizvi questioned how the opposition will ensure adequate supplies of gas and fuel. He questioned whether opposition leaders who are making “big statements”, spreading propaganda and making what he called false allegations against BNP leaders and the government are following international developments and research. “If fuel and gas are not available in any way, the government is managing with whatever we can produce and whatever can be obtained from the eastern countries,” Rizvi said. “But you are saying, ‘everything is gone, everything is finished, the BNP government can do nothing’,” he said. Rizvi said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has indicated that the economy under the Tarique Rahman government is showing signs of improvement. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for 5-6 days to attend the UN General Assembly with a 35-member delegation, Rizvi said the brief visit demonstrated the government’s efforts to manage the crisis and protect the economy. “Does not this make you realise how sincerely this government is working to deal with the crisis, how it is handling the crisis and how it is saving money to protect the country’s economy?” he said. The BNP leader said the BNP government, led by Tarique Rahman, is seeking to increase the country’s resources and capabilities. He urged people to remain alert to those allegedly involved in planned acts of violence, including arson attacks on vehicles at Madhya Badda, Kafrul, Uttara, Mirpur and Shahbagh in the capital. Rizvi said the people of Bangladesh have always foiled conspiracies and helped tear apart the web of conspiracies to bring out the light of truth. BNP Vice Chairman and Barkat Ullah Bulu, MP, Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad, Assistant Economic Affairs Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Vice President Fakhrul Islam Robin, central leaders Dr Zahid, Rafiqul Islam, Nazmul Hasan, Masum Billah, Zahir Uddin Tuhin and Sheikh Farid, among others, were present at the procession. Leaders and activists of the Dhaka North and South city units of Swechchhasebak Dal also took part in the protest procession.

A local Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader died after falling ill during a protest procession in Barishal city on Tuesday, organised as part of a BNP programme against what the party described as attempts to destabilise the country through planned violence. The deceased was identified as GM Monir, 55, a resident of the Jor Mosque area of Bhatikhana in the city. He was a joint general secretary of Barishal city Jubo Dal. Monir complained of chest pain fell ill while taking part in the procession and later died while undergoing treatment at Barishal General Hospital in the afternoon. Meanwhile, BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep shock and sorrow at his sudden death. In a condolence message, he prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.