United News of Bangladesh

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the party never bowed to fascist regime despite enduring 17 years of political struggle, repression and imprisonment. "We fought against fascism for 17 years. We endured repression, sacrificed lives and spent time in jail, but we never bowed our heads. Under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, we secured victory. Now we have an opportunity to build a new Bangladesh," he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a public awareness programme titled Alokito Lalmonirhat (Enlightened Lalmonirhat) as the chief guest at MT Hossain Ground in Lalmonirhat town. He said the movement to rebuild Bangladesh has now taken shape through the Alokito Lalmonirhat initiative led by Asadul Habib Dulu. Expressing concern over the growing drug menace, Fakhrul said drug abuse is destroying the future of the country's youth and weakening society. "We cannot allow this to continue. We must build a social movement by raising public awareness and engaging people in resisting drugs and other social crimes," he said. He expressed hope that the anti-drug campaign launched by Dulu would spread across the country. Calling on people to reject drugs, dowry and gambling, Fakhrul said such social evils must be eliminated to build a prosperous nation. Referring to the Teesta issue, he said the government is committed to implementing the Teesta Master Plan, which he said would open a new horizon for the socio-economic development of people living along the Teesta River. Highlighting various government initiatives, Fakhrul said programmes such as the Family Card, Farmers' Card and allowances for imams and muezzins have already been introduced as part of efforts to build an economically prosperous Bangladesh. "We want the light of Lalmonirhat to spread across the country," he said. The keynote paper on Alokito Lalmonirhat was presented by the initiative's chief patron, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu. The programme was chaired by Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Rashedul Haque Prodhan. Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, lawmakers Rokon Uddin Babul and Hasan Rajib Prodhan, Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, Zila Parishad Administrator AKM Mominul Haque, among others, attended the event. A procession led by the ministers and lawmakers was brought out after the discussion, marching through the town before ending at Mission Mor in the district headquarters.

Prime Minister's Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the government is working relentlessly to fulfil the commitments it made before the election, adding that programmes such as family cards, agriculture cards and health cards are being implemented without any shortcomings and are under regular monitoring. He made the remarks at a discussion held at the Dhakeshwari National Temple to mark the 45th death anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been consistently working to implement his election pledges, including introducing family, agriculture and health cards, while personally monitoring their implementation. Referring to national identity, Rizvi said describing oneself as "Bangladeshi" carries a unique sense of belonging because it represents a sovereign nation with its own flag, map, national anthem and language. He said people from all communities stood together during the July movement, noting that Muslims, Hindus and Christians alike were among those who lost their lives. "Today people from all communities and ethnic groups have gathered here under one banner. We hope no one will be able to break this sense of brotherhood among us. We will work together, rebuild together and resist any threat together to protect our independent identity," he said. Highlighting measures included in the national budget, Rizvi said individuals with an annual income of up to Tk 400,000 will not have to pay income tax. He also said the government's initial proposal to impose VAT on small neighbourhood grocery shops was withdrawn after objections, including from BNP leaders, arguing that poor shopkeepers should not bear such a burden. Rizvi further said the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been reduced by Tk 357, demonstrating the government's commitment to easing public suffering. At the same time, he urged the government to improve the education sector, expressing concern that nearly one-third of students registered for this year's Higher Secondary Certificate examinations were unable to sit for the tests. He said the Education Ministry should investigate why so many students dropped out, adding that ensuring students remain in education is a key responsibility of a democratic and accountable government.  

The Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) on Friday relieved its Secretary General Zakir Hossain Riaz of his duties, citing anti-party activities. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the party's National Executive Council, chaired by JAGPA President and freedom fighter Khandaker Lutfor Rahman. According to a party press release, those present at the meeting included Vice Presidents MA Wahab, Dr Awlad Hossain Shilpi and Advocate Shahidul Islam; Joint Secretary General Dewan Mohammad Rokon Uddin Hazari; Organising Secretaries Mohammad Hossain Mobarak and Abul Hossain; Publicity Secretary Kamrul Hasan; and Finance Secretary Md Mahfuzar, among other leaders. The meeting appointed Joint Secretary General Dewan Mohammad Rokon Uddin Hazari as acting secretary general. The party also instructed its leaders and activists not to maintain contact with Zakir Hossain Riaz. It decided to convene an extended meeting within the next month to fix the date for the party's next council. The meeting further decided that JAGPA's organisational activities would resume on July 10 with a visit to the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) in Sylhet. It also resolved that JAGPA would stand alongside Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in building the future of Bangladesh. At the end of the meeting, special prayers were offered for the speedy recovery of BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan.

UNN- Budget-reaction Hefajat-e-Islam leader Maulana Karim hails budget FY27 as welfare-oriented Maulana M.A. Karim Ibn Moshabbir, former central member of Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh and a key leader of the historic Shapla Chattar movement, has welcomed the proposed national budget for the fiscal year FY2026-2027, describing it as time-befitting, realistic, and welfare-oriented. In a press statement, Maulana Karim said that Tk 9.38 trillion budget reflects the country’s current economic realities, public needs, and national development goals. "This is not an unrealistic or overambitious budget. Rather, it is a balanced and responsible fiscal roadmap formulated by considering the existing economic situation, global challenges, and the livelihood of ordinary citizens," he said. The Islamic scholar appreciated the budget’s prioritized allocations for key sectors, including development, social safety nets, education, health, agriculture, employment, and infrastructure, which he noted would accelerate the nation’s progress. Maulana Karim particularly termed the decision to increase taxes and prices on alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful products a "groundbreaking step." "Tobacco and drugs are severely detrimental to public health, families, and society at large. Increasing their prices will curb consumption among the youth, safeguard public health, and minimize drug addiction, crime, and social decay," he added. He emphasized that building an advanced, prosperous, and moral state requires the parallel cultivation of social and human values alongside financial growth. Expressing optimism over the smooth implementation of the budget plans, Maulana Karim extended his congratulations to the Finance Minister, respective policymakers, and the government for delivering a realistic budget aimed at ensuring economic stability and uplifting the living standards of the low- and middle-income groups.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rakibul Islam Rakib on Thursday rejected comments made by BNP women’s reserved seat Nilufar Chowdhury Moni regarding the July Mass Uprising, describing them as "unwarranted." In a post on his verified Facebook page, Rakib described Moni as a companion in the long anti-fascist movement, saying she had played a remarkable role in building a democratic Bangladesh. “But we are deeply hurt and angered by your unwarranted remarks on the July-August Mass Uprising during a recent television talk show. We strongly reject your comments." He said they expect her to exercise greater restraint and show more respect when speaking about the July-August Mass Uprising. The reaction came after Moni, also BNP self-reliance affairs assistant secretary, during a TV talk show, questioned who had used snipers during the July movement. She said, "There are many things I want to say but cannot. If I speak, many people will be exposed. Those who speak today had meetings with the military and played different roles. No one really knows who the main actors in the movement were. The protesters themselves did not know each other. Someone walking beside you suddenly fell; you thought they had simply collapsed, but they had actually been shot. Many did not even know whether the bullets came from the front or behind. There was no sound, it was sniper firing." When the programme host asked whether it indicated a planned operation or conspiracy, Moni replied, "It was certainly planned. Whether it was a conspiracy, I cannot say." Questioning who carried out the silent killings during the movement, she added, "No one knows who fired those shots. There were no police directly in the front. If the police had fired, the bullets would have come from the front. It is possible the shots came from buildings or upper floors. I still do not have answers to many of these questions."

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Thursday unveiled a detailed month-long programme to commemorate the historic July Mass Uprising. JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir announced the programmes, according to a press release signed by JCD Office Secretary Md Jahangir Alam. It said the programmes have been designed to commemorate the historic uprising, pay tribute to the martyrs and injured, preserve its historical memory, recognise the contributions of all stakeholders, strengthen national unity against fascism and mark the second anniversary of the student-led victory against authoritarian rule. As part of the programmes, the JCD organised "Aloy Aloy Smriti Samujjwal" at the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours of July 1, featuring a collective rendition of the national anthem and candle-lighting in memory of the martyrs. The organisation will hold a discussion titled "Turning Point of the Mass Uprising" at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium of Dhaka University (DU) on July 15. On July 16, student rallies will be held in Chattogram and Rangpur divisions with the participation of leaders of university, district, metropolitan, college, upazila and municipality units. On the same day, memorial meetings will be organised by all university, district and metropolitan branches across the country, except those in Chattogram and Rangpur divisions. On July 18, JCD's private university units will observe Private University Resistance Day with a special programme. A memorial discussion on the contribution of private university students to the uprising will be held on July 20. On July 21, the DU unit of JCD will organise a live performance titled "Symbolic July" depicting unforgettable moments of the July-August movement. The university chapter will also host a children's drawing competition, a photo exhibition featuring images from the past 17 years of movements and struggles, a poetry festival and a street theatre performance. On July 22, prayer and milad mahfils will be held at the DU Central Mosque and at university, district, metropolitan, upazila, college and municipal branches nationwide, seeking eternal peace for the martyrs and recovery of those injured during the uprising. On July 24 and 25, JCD central leaders and leaders of all organisational units across the country will visit the graves of the martyrs, pray for them and meet their families. They will also deliver gifts to the families on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who is also the organisational guardian of JCD. The month-long programme will conclude with a student rally at the Central Shaheed Minar on August 3, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend as the chief guest.

A local BNP leader was killed and another injured after they were attacked with sharp weapons during arbitration in the Adabor area of the capital on Wednesday night, with police saying the violence stemmed from a dispute over watching a football match. The deceased was identified as Md Badsha Mia, general secretary of the Nobodoy Housing unit BNP. The injured, Saddam Hossain, president of the same BNP unit, is undergoing treatment at hospital. According to locals, a clash broke out on Monday night between two groups in the Nobodoy Housing area over watching the Brazil-Japan football match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Saddam Hossain and Badsha Mia were on one side, while Ripon and Parvez led the opposing group. To resolve the dispute, members of both sides attended arbitration on Wednesday evening. However, after the meeting failed to reach a settlement, Saddam and Badsha were attacked with sharp weapons while leaving the venue around 8:00pm, leaving both critically injured. They were rushed to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. As Badsha's condition deteriorated, he was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said his party remains firm in its demand for the formation of a constitutional reform council in line with the verdict of referendum, instead of giving representatives to a special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendment accepting a proposal from the ruling party.  "The people gave a mandate for reform, not merely for amendment (to Constitution). So, we cannot agree to the proposal (given by the ruling party to join) for the special committee," he said, while addressing a post-budget view-exchange meeting with journalists at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The opposition leader said the referendum had given a clear public mandate for constitutional reform, but the government's decision to pursue constitutional amendments through a special parliamentary committee contradicts that mandate. He said a political crisis has been created in the country as the verdict of the referendum has not been implemented. Shafiqur Rahman, however, said they remain open to dialogue with the government on the issue as it needs to reach a political solution through talks in the parliamentary democracy. Explaining his party's street programmes, he said the opposition had been compelled to take to the streets with programmes after failing to secure sufficient discussion in Parliament on this issue. “It needs permission from the Speaker to discuss the issue in Parliament, but does not require such permission in the parliament of the people (streets),” the Jamaat chief said. He said as they do not get enough scope to discuss the issue in Parliament, they decided to go to the people's parliament. “We’ve taken the side of the people. We want the public verdict to be implemented,” he said. Turning to the 2026-27 national budget, the opposition leader said the government had accepted several proposals put forward by the opposition, including withdrawing the provision to legalise undisclosed money and scrapping the proposed tax on small grocery shops and marginal businesses. He also demanded shifting the fiscal year from July-June to January-December to align with the calendar year. Arguing for the change, Shafiqur Rahman said the existing fiscal calendar encourages excessive spending during the final three months of the year, leading to waste, corruption and poor implementation. He also called for ensuring that the impact of reduced taxes on 61 essential commodities is reflected in market prices, saying otherwise the benefits will be captured by business syndicates rather than consumers. The Jamaat chief criticised the absence of budget allocations for the July Museum and July Foundation, saying the July movement should be preserved as part of the nation's history.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged the government to implement the verdict of the referendum and implement promises of state reform, saying this would demonstrate its commitment to the aspirations of the July mass uprising. After paying tribute at the mass grave of martyrs of 2024 uprising at Rayerbazar, Nahid said merely observing the anniversary would not be enough unless the promises of justice and reform are fulfilled. "The government has to prove that it stands with the July Uprising by implementing the reforms demanded by people and executing the referendum verdict," he said. He said July 1 marked the beginning of the historic uprising and that the party has started its observance by visiting the martyrs' mass grave at Rayerbazar. Nahid said that although the uprising took place two years ago, the country has yet to achieve the discrimination-free and democratic Bangladesh envisioned by its participants. Referring to a recent verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal, he said the judgment has failed to satisfy the people or the families of the martyrs and injured. He criticised the sentence given to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Hasanul Haq Inu, alleging that he had actively supported the July killings as an ally of the Awami League-led alliance. "We do not think the sentence of 10 years in each of the three cases is enough," Nahid said, urging the state to appeal against the verdict and seek the maximum punishment. He also expressed concern over what he described as the slow pace of investigations and trials related to the July killings, saying only two verdicts have been delivered since the current government assumed office. Nahid called for the speedy completion of all pending trials and demanded that those accused of involvement in the July killings, including Sheikh Hasina and the killers of Osman Hadi be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice. He also demanded the implementation of the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina once all legal procedures are completed. Nahid urged the government to fulfil its commitments to the families of the martyrs and injured by ensuring financial assistance and rehabilitation for the July fighters.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser and BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan was admitted to Evercare Hospital Dhaka in Dhaka on Wednesday morning on the advice of physicians. Nazrul’s family members said the veteran politician is currently staying in a cabin at the hospital and receiving treatment under close medical supervision. They sought prayers from people across the country for his speedy recovery. Nazrul Islam returned to Bangladesh on June 25 after undergoing treatment for various health complications at the Singapore General Hospital in Singapore. He is now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital under the supervision of senior consultant Dr Abu Zafar Mohammad Saleh. BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said doctors attending Nazrul Islam have requested well-wishers and party colleagues not to visit him at the hospital considering his current physical condition.