United News of Bangladesh

A case has been filed against 21 BNP men, naming 10 BNP activists, over an attack on a Jamaat-e-Islami leader in Sirajganj on Saturday. Shohar Bhanu, wife of the victim Abdus Sabur, filed the case with Sadar Police Station on Saturday night, said Rakibul Hasan, officer-in-charge of the police station. Police have already launched an operation to arrest the accused, the OC said. He said Jamaat activists gathered in the Saydabad area on Saturday afternoon to welcome the motorcade of the 11-party alliance's Dhaka-Rangpur long march. After the procession proceeded towards Rangpur, the Jamaat activists were returning home when a group of people attacked Abdus Sabur and hacked him, leaving him seriously injured. Another Jamaat leader, Nurnabi, was also beaten during the incident, the OC said. Abdus Sabur has been admitted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura in critical condition.

Jamaat led 11-party alliance on Sunday rejected the government's initiative to amend the Constitution through a special parliamentary committee, demanding implementation of the constitutional reform process approved in the February referendum. “We have decided that we do not support any initiative for constitutional amendment in principle. We want constitutional reform,” Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on behalf of the alliance said at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club in the city. The alliance said the parliamentary committee cannot replace the Constitution Reform Council envisaged under the July National Charter implementation framework, arguing that the people's direct mandate must be respected. The alliance's position comes as the parliamentary special committee invited political parties that signed the July Charter to hold discussions. The 12-member committee, headed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, was formed in July after opposition parties refused to nominate members, with the government saying it would later seek their views on the reform process. Parwar said the 11-party alliance had rejected the committee because the February 12 referendum had endorsed not only constitutional reform proposals but also a specific mechanism for implementing them. “The people's mandate cannot be replaced by a parliamentary majority. Nor can any special committee be a substitute for the sovereign will of the people,” he said. He argued that elected MPs from the 11-party alliance had taken oath both as members of parliament and as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council, while BNP lawmakers took oath only as MPs. The alliance maintains that Parliament and the proposed reform council have different legal identities and sources of authority, describing Parliament's constitutional amendment power as delegated power and the people's authority to reshape the constitutional order as ‘constituent power.’ Parwar also questioned the government's reliance on Article 142 of the Constitution, saying Parliament's amendment power was not unlimited. He referred to the Supreme Court's rulings concerning the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, 13th and 16th constitutional amendments as evidence that parliamentary amendment powers have constitutional limits. The alliance also cited the basic structure doctrine, arguing that fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be altered merely through a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Parwar said the alliance wanted the elected representatives to complete the required oaths and activate the Constitution Reform Council rather than proceed through the parliamentary special committee. “We officially reject the initiative of the special committee on constitutional amendment,” he said, adding that there was still time for Parliament to activate the reform council in accordance with the referendum verdict. 11-party alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad said the alliance had held a top-level meeting before deciding to reject the government's invitation for discussions. He said the alliance had participated in the July Charter process and signed the document, but would not participate in what it considers an alternative process for constitutional reform. Parwar also challenged the government's argument that the Constitution Reform Council lacked a legal basis, referring to Article 152's definition of ‘law’, which includes an Act, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, notification and other legal instruments having the force of law. The parliamentary special committee, meanwhile, has said it intends to consult political parties, constitutional experts, lawyers, members of the judiciary, intellectuals, editors and other stakeholders before finalising its recommendations.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam said the 11-party alliance wants security for the country and safety for its children. He made the remarks while speaking at the closing rally of the 11-party alliance’s Dhaka-Rangpur long march on Saturday. “We have not received justice for the killing of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. Justice must be served. Death sentences are being handed down to those who are not in the country. We want to see verdicts against those who are actually here,” he said. Nahid also demanded implementation of the Teesta Master Plan. He said the alliance’s eight-point programme could “liberate Bangladesh”. An activist of the 11-party alliance was hacked and injured in Sirajganj, he said. “If there is even one more attack, we are prepared to strike back,” Nahid said, warning that attempts to suppress the opposition would fail.  

The 11-party alliance has taken to the streets to protect the rights of 18 crore people, Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman said on Saturday. “I believe you are all aware of our demands. I swear by Allah, not a single one of these is a partisan demand. These are the demands of 180 million people,” he said. Dr Shafiqur, also Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, made the remarks at the concluding programme of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March at Rangpur Zilla School grounds on Saturday night. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance organised the long march from Dhaka to Rangpur with an eight-point demand. It was the alliance’s second long march in a fortnight. Dr Shafiqur alleged that the government had failed to keep the promises it made to the people before the election. He said the government had earlier urged people to vote “Yes” in a referendum but was now using various excuses to avoid implementing the referendum verdict. He also alleged that the government had passed a law that contradicts the Quran and Sunnah. “Before the election, this government pledged that if it formed the government, it would not enact any law contrary to the Quran and Sunnah. Yet, it has already passed a law that clearly contradicts the Quran and the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him),” he said. “If this law remains in force, the Muslims of Bangladesh will not sit idle. This law will bring disaster to every household and society. This haram (forbidden) law must be withdrawn,” he added. Dr Shafiqur said their struggle against injustice and “fascism” would continue. “Our struggle against all malevolent forces, injustice and fascism will continue. We will not rest. We have taken to the streets to secure the rights of 180 million people. We will return only after securing those rights, Insha’Allah,” he said. He said the alliance’s eight-point demand could be turned into a single-point demand if necessary. “My colleagues have said that our eight-point demand could, at any time, become a single-point demand if the needs of the nation require it,” he said. Dr Rahman hoped that a good sense will prevail within the government. “If not, we will not sit idle. There will be strong protests inside parliament, while the movement will continue on the streets,” he added. “And through that movement, we will realise the people’s demands, Insha’Allah,” Dr Shafiqur said. He also said thousands of women had joined the street programmes in support of the movement. “Today, thousands of our mothers and sisters have also taken to the streets to encourage us and express their solidarity and unity. A movement joined by mothers is destined to succeed, Insha’Allah,” he said. The long march towards Rangpur was launched from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka in the morning. Five street rallies were held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School.  Earlier on September 5, the alliance held its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram with a six-point demand, including the implementation of the verdict reflected in the February 12 referendum; trial of the July 2024 mass killings; resolution of the electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer crisis; controlling soaring prices of essential commodities, making an end to corruption, extortion and occupation; and improvement of law and order.

The Awami League, whose activities as a political party remain banned in Bangladesh, on Friday held what observers billed as its first Central Working Committee meeting since being ousted from government through the July Uprising of 2024.  With most of the party’s top leaders having fled to India in the aftermath, Friday’s meeting was initially planned to be an in-person event, at the Indian Air Force safehouse on the outskirts of Delhi where party president Sheikh Hasina has been residing throughout this entire period. Those plans had to be shelved however, after word got out and the Indian government possibly intervened in the matter. Delhi has been increasingly receptive in recent times, to Dhaka’s more assertive stance on tying the scope of bilateral relations to the extent the Indian government allows Hasina to use Delhi as a base for carrying on her political work. And so in the event, the much touted meeting had to be held on a virtual platform.  The party’s Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim presided over the meeting, which was moderated by the party’s Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das. Hasina delivered the keynote address as chief guest. In her address, Sheikh Hasina said she had exchanged views with leaders and activists from 83 district AL units as well as 160 constituencies to assess the situation on the ground and get a sense of the organisational condition of the party. She also painted a picture of impending doom for the country, saying the situation was declining in every sector and calling for AL to “rescue” it, according to the party statement. Hasina instructed party leaders responsible for organisational affairs to give priority to those who had faced persecution when filling organisational vacancies. She also called for collecting and disseminating information about people who had allegedly faced oppression and persecution over the past two years, and also to expose those responsible. Hasina demanded the release of military and civil officials whom she described as having been arrested on false charges. Showing no intention of expressing any remorse, she referred to the violence during July and August 2024 and said law-enforcement personnel had made efforts to protect lives and property and alleged that many police officers were killed, their bodies burned, and police stations looted and set on fire. Her statement was indicative of her scorched earth view, with little room for reconciliation or making room for new actors on the political stage. She also said she wanted to return to Bangladesh and “save the country from this dire situation”, but alleged that the government in Dhaka was creating obstacles to her return.

Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said their 'long march' programmes are not aimed at fulfilling the wishes of any person, party or group, but realizing the demands of the country’s 180 million people. “On the way from Dhaka (to Rangpur), thousands of mothers, sisters and children stood by the roadside to greet and congratulate us. When mothers and sisters (women) take to the streets, our demands will be met—Insha'Allah,” he said. Dr Shafiqur, also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, made the remark while addressing a street rally at Chowmatha intersection in Palashbari, Gaibandha in the evening as part of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March of the 11-party alliance. The 11-party opposition alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, was staging its second long march in a fortnight, this time from Dhaka to Rangpur, with an eight-point demand on Saturday. The long march towards Rangpur was launched from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka in the morning.  Five street rallies were held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School.   Earlier on September 5, the alliance held its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram with a six-point demand, including the implementation of the verdict reflected in the February 12 referendum; trial of the July 2024 mass killings; resolution of the electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer crisis; controlling soaring prices of essential commodities, making an end to corruption, extortion and occupation; and improvement of law and order. Ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur long march, the opposition alliance extended the six-point demand to an eight-point demand by incorporating two other demands – making an end to narrow partisanisation and implementation of Teesta mega plan. The opposition leader at Gaibandha rally said they would not have organised the long march if the July Charter had been implemented, the people’s verdict in the referendum had been honoured, corruption and extortion had been stopped and farmers had received fertilizer. Dr Shafiqur said people could no longer tolerate oppression. “Not a single one of our demands is for the party; all are for the people,” he said. “If the government does not accept the demands, our eight-point demand will turn into nine, 10 or even one-point demand,” he said, urging people to prepare to join the long march to Dhaka. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, urged the government to form the constitution reform council to reform the Constitution, even if belatedly, to free the people, said a press release here.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie on Saturday accused the opposition of taking an uncooperative stance from the outset, saying this has allowed certain groups to attempt a comeback in December. Speaking as the chief guest at a free medical camp, eye clinic and medicine distribution program at Zillur Rahim College in the Mandari area under Chandraganj upazila of Lakshmipur, Annie alleged that the opposition has continuously hindered government operations. The event was jointly organized by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Lakshmipur district unit and Lions International District 315 A-3. "On the day we took our oath, the opposition was absent. From the very first day, they have been non-cooperating with the government at every step," Annie said. "If the opposition had not provided this opportunity through programs like long marches, those who oppressed the nation for 17 years would not have found room to maneuver." "We assumed responsibility over a pile of debris. Is it possible to restore all gas and electricity supplies within just six months?" he questioned. District BNP Joint Convener Hasibur Rahman, Noakhali Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain, Chandraganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nilufa Yasmin Nipa and Chandraganj Upazila BNP President Belal Hossain, among others, were present at the event.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said the country's education system had been “treated like a plaything” for the past 17 years, mostly under the ousted Awami League regime. He said merely constructing large buildings or developing infrastructure does not make an educational institution; dedicated teachers are needed to ensure the quality of education. He also called for close attention to ensure that no student drops out of education for any reason. Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a reception and scholarship distribution programme at Keraniganj Mohila Degree College. The programme was organised to award crests and scholarships of Tk 5,000 each to 114 students from Keraniganj upazila who achieved outstanding results in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. Highlighting the importance of education, Rizvi said such programmes for meritorious students were highly commendable. “But it is a matter of great regret that the importance of education for a nation was not properly considered in the past. For the past 17 years, the education system was treated like a plaything,” he said. He further alleged that a tendency to make students pass examinations through unethical means had turned the nation’s “human backbone” into a “plastic backbone” during that period. As a result, Bangladeshi students have fallen considerably behind in international competition, he said. Referring to the current government’s education policy, the prime minister’s adviser said students were now being genuinely evaluated on the basis of merit, without favouritism or irregularities. He said the government was committed to promoting women’s education and that the education system for female students up to the BA (Honours) level would soon be made completely free.

Nahid Islam, opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said on Saturday said BNP, since coming to power, has been curbing people's rights and undermining democracy. Those who have destroyed democracy in the past have ultimately ended up in "the dustbin of history," Nahid said while addressing the inaugural rally of the 11-party alliance's Dhaka-to-Rangpur long march at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman must now decide the manner in which he steps down from power, under pressure or through a dignified process. "Tarique Rahman has to decide now whether he will flee by helicopter or hand over power through a dignified process," he said. Nahid said the government passed an enforced disappearance law and a human rights law in the last parliamentary session, and that RAB had been renamed SRB. While protecting human rights is the government's responsibility, he alleged the current government is instead creating condition conducive to rights violations across the board. He further alleged that the incumbent government has begun using the same laws and institutions that Sheikh Hasina's administration had used to suppress people's rights. Noting that a wave of public support has built up behind the long march, Nahid Islam alleged that banners and festoons of the 11-party alliance have been torn down along the march route since Friday night, claiming BNP leaders and activists carried this out with the involvement of the city corporation. Tearing down banners and festoons will not stop the tide of public support for the long march, he said, adding that the opposition's list of demands keeps growing but will ultimately converge into a single demand, called on 11-party alliance leaders and activists to prepare accordingly.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said their eight-point demand could be turned into a single demand at any time depending on the needs of the people. “We have taken to the streets today with an a set of eight demands. Depending on the needs of people, these eight demands can turn into a single demand at any time. If you remain by our side, Inshallah, we will achieve our demands and return home.” The Jamaar Ameer said these while speaking at a roadside rally of the party-led 11 party alliance  at Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur as part of its long march from Dhaka to Rangpur. Leaders of the alliance, including, Colonel Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram and Mamunul Haque, addressed the rally. The rally, which began in the morning, was presided over by Professor Md Jamal Uddin of the Dhaka metropolitan unit Jamaat-e-Islami. Central, district and metropolitan-level leaders of the alliance also spoke at the programme. A large number of leaders and activists welcomed the long marchers on both sides of the road as the procession travelled from Tongi to Bhogra. After the rally, the leaders and activists resumed their journey towards Rangpur in a convoy of vehicles. The 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is holding its second 'long march' from Dhaka to Rangpur on Saturday, seeking public support for their 8-point demand, including the implementation of the “people's verdict” in the February 12 referendum and resolution of the energy and fertilizer crisis. The 11-party alliance launched the long march towards Rangpur from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka around 8 am. Five roadside rallies will be held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School. The other demands are trial of the July 2024 mass killings, taking measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. On September 5 last, the opposition alliance staged its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on a six-point demand. But the alliance expanded it to an 8-point demand ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March.