Politics
Govt making a joke about constitution: Nazrul
BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday alleged that the government is making a joke about the constitution.
"What have you (govt) started? You talk about the constitution. You’re actually making a joke about the constitution. It’s written in the constitution to establish socialism, but you practice free market economy. Do these two things go together? It’s also written that the state religion is Islam, but you say you’re not biased to any religion,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the government is also trying to resist the people's movement using the constitution as an excuse. “It’s impressible to suppress a public movement. No one could do it in the past. We’ll move ahead defying all barriers.”
Read: Khaleda to do politics if a favourable environment in place: BNP
Bangladesh Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the government to stop its naked interference on the freedom of expression and reopen the closed media outlets, including the Daily Din Kal, and to annul all the ‘black laws’, including the Digital Security Act.
Nazrul, BNP Standing Committee member, promised that they will reopen the newspaper and TV channels that were 'unjustly shutdown by the current regime if their party returns to power.
He urged the authorities of the TV channels who are running ‘false’ reports and propaganda quoting various sources against BNP should stop such practice in the interests of true journalism".
Read: Khaleda has no chance to do politics as convict: Quader
Stating that the country was liberated at the cost of blood of the millions of people, the BNP leader said, people will not allow the ruling party to ruin it.
“The country’s people have got united to oust this regime. The common people in villages and rural areas also have got united and they are not afraid of repressive acts,” he observed.
Khan has suggested the ruling party to go to tea stalls and ride bus in disguise to hear what people say about the government, Awami League MPs and leaders.
We are on a real path of progress with political stability, continuity: Gowher Rizvi
The "amazing successes" of Bangladesh were celebrated in the British Parliament at the launch of a report by UK- based Bangladesh think-tank, the Study Circle.
The report, entitled, "Bangladesh: The Journey of Indomitable Development", highlights the vast array of sectors in which Bangladesh has seen dramatic progress over the last 14 years, including the economy, interfaith harmony, education, health, and infrastructure.
A cross-party group of leading politicians, as well as diplomats and community leaders attended the event in the House of Lords' Attlee Room, which came the day after the 21 February commemorations of International Mother Language Day.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said, "Today we are on a real path of progress. One reason for Bangladesh's concrete development is because it has had political stability and continuity."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's achievements in promoting inter- communal harmony were particularly celebrated.
The UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Fiona Bruce MP, and Jim Shannon MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, joined the occasion.
Dr Rizvi invited Shannon to visit Bangladesh to see the inter-religious harmony for himself, said a media release.
Launching the report, Study Circle Chair Syed Mozammel Ali, who was gazetted as a 'freedom fighter' for his advocacy for Bangladesh Independence in the UK in 1971, noted Bangladesh's tremendous economic growth.
At 6.9% last year, this outstripped even the so-called 'tiger' economies of South Korea and Singapore.
Ali quipped that, given that Bangladesh has 10% of the World's tigers, going forward, Bangladesh should be championed as the "Bengal Tiger economy".
Ali went all to detail numerous of Bangladesh's achievements, including its climate leadership and its support for the Rohingya.
He trumpeted the deep ties between the UK and Bangladesh, particularly the British Bangladeshi diaspora and the 8,000 Bangladeshi- owned restaurants, which he said was like having "like having a High Commission on every high street".
He noted that a great opportunity to enjoy the interchange would come in the next few weeks, as England's men's cricket team travels to Bangladesh for its first tour since 2016.
At that time, England was the only team not to cancel after the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, which was widely appreciated by Bangladeshis at the time.
Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, said the Study Circle is doing an absolutely brilliant job.
"This is an empirical, evidence-based publication on Bangladesh's development journey under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," she said.
The event was also an early outing for the UK's High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, who will be replacing current British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton-Dixon after Ramadan in late April.
Another speaker was Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali, who is also the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh, and the first UK MP of Bangladeshi heritage.
She said, "This report highlights that Bangladesh has achieved a great deal. As British Bangladeshis we are all really proud of Bangladesh's development."
Conservative peer Lord Popat, another of the Prime Minister's trade envoys, and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Commonwealth, said, “What a transformation of a country in such a short time, the incredible story that is Bangladesh, now one of the fastest growing economies in the world, what an achievement.”
Conservative MP for Northfield Gary Sambrook, and Labour MP for Brent Central Dawn Butler, were also among the guests, as were London Assembly Members Marina Ahmad and Unmesh Desai and a significant number of local councillors of Bangladeshi heritage, including Mayor of Camden Nasim Ali, Brent Councillor Parvez Ahmed and Camden councillors Samata Khatoon and Shah Miah. Former London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi and former Camden councillor Abdul Hai were also present.
Before the event, Study Circle Chair Mr Ali was treated to a tour of the House of Lords by Lord Daniel Hannan, the Conservative Party Vice Chair for International Relations.
The event received well wishes from many other parliamentarians, including Labour's Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Catherine West MP.
BNP's allegation over Shaheed Minar incident 'false': Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said BNP made false allegations over what happened while placing their floral wreath at Shaheed Minar along with anti-liberation forces and the persons who were against the language.
He made this comment in response to questions from journalists over Mirza Fakhrul's complaint at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat in the capital.
Read more: Ansar al-Islam threatens to bomb Amar Ekushey Boi Mela
"It is a false allegation. Last year, we placed wreaths after them (BNP) and it took over three and a half hours. And this year, we stood in silence for 30 seconds after paying tributes and then left. BNP started late when the Shaheed Minar was crowded. No one obstructed them," Hasan Mahmud said. In fact, "BNP doesn't have the spirit of Amar Ekushey or the Liberation War. They talk about 21st February and the spirit of the Liberation War but they do politics with the anti-liberation forces who tried to do so-called Islamization of the language by introducing Bengali writing in Arabic alphabet and banned Rabindranath's songs in East Bengal," he said.
Read more: BNP pays homage to Language Movement martyrs Replying to another query over Begum Khaleda Zia, Hasan Mahmud said if any person is convicted for more than two years, he or she cannot take part in the election as per the law of the country. As she was sentenced for more than two years. So, there is no question of her participation in the election, he added. In addition, the government has given her conditional permission to stay home considering her health and age. As per the condition, she can not do politics, he added.
Read more: Khaleda has no chance to do politics as convict: Quader Earlier, the minister unveiled covers of five books at the meeting room and congratulated the writers. The books are 'Bangabandhur Jiban and Shilpa Bhabna' written by Sowmithra Dev, 'Sheikh Hasina ekti Kaljoyee Upakkhyan' and 'Sheikh Rehana ek Dipto Shikha' written by Shamima Sultana, Swapno Loker Nadi and 'HIV-Aids Risk and 'Gender Relation: Women Sex Worker in Bangladesh' written by deputy secretary of the information ministry Dr Sheikh Muslima Moon.
Khaleda to do politics if a favourable environment in place: BNP
Stating that the Law Minister’s recent comment on their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has created confusion in the public mind, BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Thursday said she will definitely do politics if a favourable environment is created.
“They (government) are giving different statements at times (over Khaleda’s scope to do politics). They’re creating a smoke screen over the issue,” he said.
Talking to reporters after a meeting between the liaison committees of BNP and Ganatantra Mancha at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Tuku said the Prime Minister once threatened that Khaleda Zia will be sent to jail again if she does politics. “Now her law minister is saying that there’s no barrier for Khaleda Zia to do politics. You (journalists) say which one we’ll accept.”
He also said they are not interested in what the ministers are saying about Khaleda Zia.
“I think it is an insignificant matter. Begum Khaleda Zia did politics, became a leader from the field of politics, and became the Prime Minister thrice…Begum Khaleda Zia will definitely do politics if a favourable environment is created,” Tuku said.
He also said people don’t understand what the government wants to mean as the ruling party leaders are making contradictory comments over Khaleda’s right to do politics. “BNP is least bothered about the ruling party leaders’ comments on the matter,” he said.
Earlier at an event in the capital on Sunday, the law minister said the BNP chairperson can take part in politics, but she is barred from contesting the next general election because of her conviction for corruption.
The government will not interfere if she does politics, the minister said.
“Whether she will do politics or not, it’s her personal matter,” he said.
Khaleda has been convicted in a case of corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust and sentenced to 10 years in jail. In another corruption case involving Zia Charitable Trust she has been given seven years of imprisonment.
Her sentences have been suspended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on humanitarian grounds considering her poor health following a petition by her family.
Programmes to be given against anarchy on campus
In the meeting, Tuku said they discussed the issue of growing anarchy in the education sector by the Chhatra League.
"Different untoward incidents are happening on the campus. We’re deeply concerned as the way the education system is being collapsed and our girls are being targeted and repressed on every campus,” he said.
As part of their simultaneous movement, the BNP leader said they will announce action programmes against the anarchy on the campus in the future. “We call upon the students to come forward in this regard.”
In over an hour-long meeting, the leaders of the BNP and Ganatantra Mancha also discussed their next course of action and the joint declaration of the simultaneous movement.
Ganatantra Mancha leader Hasnat Quayum said, "We have discussed finalising the joint declaration of our simultaneous movement. Hopefully, we will be able to come up with the joint declaration in a very short time.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob, Nagorik Oikay Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Junaid Saki, Gano Odhikar Parishad member secretary Nurul Haque Nur, among others, were present at the meeting.
Khaleda has no chance to do politics as convict: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Thursday that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has no chance to take part in political activities as she is a convict.
He made this comment in response to questions from journalists at a joint meeting at the Awami League's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.
His remarks contradict Law Minister Anisul Huq’s recent remark that there is no bar on Khaleda to do politics.
This joint meeting was held with the central leaders of Awami League and the presidents, general secretaries of Dhaka Metropolitan North-South Awami League and its affiliated bodies. .
Quader said that BNP could not involve people in the movement. “They are now defeated and seeing darkness.”
Accusing BNP of hypocrisy in actions, Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said they talk about democracy but demonstrate the opposite in their actions.
He came up with the remark in another programme held at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city to celebrate the founding anniversary of Sheikh Russell Shishu Kishore Parishad.
Quader said BNP has extensive knowledge about terrorism as they are responsible for shedding blood and burning people alive, but now speaking against terrorism.
The AL general secretary said they are now also shouting in support of democracy in the country.
"This, in his view, is a hypocritical stance given their past actions. BNP is not a credible advocate for democracy or human rights,"he added.
Quader also expressed concern that without the involvement of talented individuals in politics, unqualified people would become lawmakers and ministers. He added that those who are most corrupt, they speak the most about ethics.
If AL govt is not removed, Bangladesh’s people will be at stake: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the existence of the country’s people will be at stake if the current Awami League government is not removed from power.
"We’ve launched a movement against the current unelected regime that has been in power by force destroying all our dreams. If we can’t remove them from power, then the existence of the people of Bangladesh will be endangered,” he said.
The BNP Secretary General made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the party’s grassroots-level leaders in the Rangpur division at the chairperson's office in Gulshan.
He said the main purpose of calling the grassroots-level leaders for such a meeting is to invigorate them for ensuring the fall of the current regime by intensifying the movement.
The BNP leader said they will take the opinions of the grassroots leaders about how people can take part more actively in the current movement and how a mass upsurge can take place to remove the monstrous government and establish a democratic system in the country.
"You have to remember one thing, we got independence through waging a war and we got back democracy through a struggle under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. That leader is now in jail. Our 35 lakh people have been implicated in false cases. Our 17 leaders and activists lost their lives on the streets during the ongoing movement,” he said.
Fakhrul said the torture and repressive acts by the government have exceeded all limits. “It is our sacred responsibility to protect the country, to protect our people, to free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, to bring our leader Tariq Rahman back to the country. We all must carry out the movement in unison. “We’ll defeat this monstrous government and establish a people's government through a peaceful movement.''
He said their party has already placed a 10-point demand for ensuring a credible election under a non-party caretaker government and a 27-point proposal for reforming the state. "These issues have to be disseminated to the people to enhance their involvement with the movement.”
Fakhrul also urged the current and former elected public representatives to play a vital role in drumming up public support and involving people in the current movement.
He said Awami League has destroyed the original spirit of the Liberation War and the democratic values.
Fakhrul said the government has also destroyed the electoral system which is the getaway of democracy.
He also accused the government of using law enforcers and administration to suppress its opponents.
The BNP leader said the prices of power, gas, and daily essentials have been going up unusually only because of the government’s corruption.
As part of the party acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s plan to hold a series of talks with the BNP's grassroots leaders to revitalize the party's rank and file, the party's top leaders sat in a closed-door meeting with around BNP's 250 former and current party public representatives of Rangpur division around 4:30pm.
Tarique joined the meeting through Skype from London and directly talked to the leaders and took their feedback on the ongoing movement.
The party will also hold similar meetings with the current and former public representatives of Khulna division on February 27 while Sylhet on February 28, Barishal on March 1, Dhaka on March 2, Faridpur and Cumilla on March 5, Chattogram on March 13, Chattogram and Rajshahi on March 14 and Rajshahi on February 15 and Mymensingh on March 16.
Party sources said around 4,000 BNP leaders who are current for former union parishad chairman have been invited to participate in the 10 views-exchange meetings.
Jubo-Dal gets 251-member full-fledged committee
A 251-member full-fledged committee of the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, the youth front of BNP, has been announced with Sultan Salahuddin Tuku as the president and Abdul Monayem Munna as the general secretary.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir approved the committee as per a directive of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, said a press release on Wednesday.
Maumun Hasan was made the vice president while Ishaq Sarker organising secretary, Kamruzzaman Dulal office secretary and Golam Mostafa Treasurer of the new committee.
In the new central committee, there are 25 vice presidents, 15 joint general secretaries, 25 assistant general secretaries, 25 joint organising secretaries and 75 members.
The full-fledged committee came nine months after the formation of an eight-member partial committee of the organization.
On May 22, BNP announced an eight-member partial committee the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, as part of its move to overhaul the party and its associate bodies before the next general election.
A former president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Tuku was the general secretary of the previous committee of Jubo Dal.
Jubo Dal’s last committee was formed on January 17, 2017, with Saiful Islam Nirob as the president and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku as general secretary.
No more scope to go to power with foreigners' favour: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said there is now no scope for the BNP to come to power with the support of foreigners.
“It seems that they (BNP) are dreaming that someone would come from outside of the country to put them in power. Perhaps they once were able to do so by currying favours (with others). Now there is no scope to go to power anymore taking outside favours,” she said.
The premier said this while chairing a discussion arranged by Bangladesh Awami League (AL) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city, marking the Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day-2023.
Hasina, also the AL president, said her party was not allowed to stage processions and rallies during the BNP regime. AL faced obstacles everywhere and its leaders and activists were tortured. Even AL women were beaten and their clothes were torn down on the streets at that time.
“How can we forget it? But we didn’t go to take revenge. We paid attention to the development of Bangladesh and we worked to develop Bangladesh,” she said.
She said though BNP did it, now AL does nothing against them. Even after that they are complaining and trying to buy favours at home and abroad, she added.
The PM said the people of Bangladesh are now very conscious as they know much about their country. “They know our goal. None can deny that we worked for the people. Today, the scenario of Bangladesh has massively changed. We’ve been able to develop the whole of Bangladesh not only the Dhaka city,” she said.
She wondered how the people can forget the arson violence indulged by BNP and Jamaat. “They played with fire. Does the BNP think once that what would be their condition if now the people play this game of fire against them (BNP),” she said.
Hasina called upon the people to be more alert against these arson terrorists.
She asked her party leaders and activists to raise the misdeeds of the BNP before the people.
She also questioned how those who siphon off money, sell the interest of the country and kill people burning alive now can dream to go to power again.
The premier said her government transformed the country into a developing economy defying natural disasters and manmade disasters, including Covid-19 pandemic and arson violence.
She said only the AL ensured the voting rights of the people. BNP was founded by an illegal power grabber and so, the birth of BNP was illegal.
She asked the people of the country to reject BNP as illegal, saying that they never want the welfare of the people, rather they looted the country, stigmatized the constitution, spoiled the spirit of the Liberation War and did everything to destroy the nation during their regimes.
Noting that now Bangladesh is considered as a role model for development in the world, Sheikh Hasina said the trend of this development will have to be maintained.
“If you can reach information regarding our development works done in the country and respective areas to every house, we will have no problem with vote and none can snatch power anymore,” she said pointing at her party leaders and activists.
Hasina said they will not allow these miscreants (BNP) to play duck and drake with the fate of the people anymore.
“No matter what happens, we can’t put the people in the hands of these monsters…. If they come to power, they will destroy the status of a developing country as well,” she said.
Put importance to mother language: PM
The PM asked the children to pay importance to their mother language properly alongside learning other languages in today's world which has turned into a global village.
"There is no problem in learning other languages. But it is dispensable to put importance on mother language,” she said.
Hasina criticised the tendency of speaking Bangla in an English accent, saying that there should be no hesitation to speak Bangla with proper Bengali pronunciation.
Bangabandhu instructed to call strike on February 21, 1952: PM
Recalling the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Language Movement, she said his name from the movement was completely erased from history after 1975. But his contribution is evident in the book ‘Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Bangabandhu.”
She said Bangabandhu ordered the student leaders to call the strike on February 21, 1952 as well. He made this order when the student leaders met him in the hospital while he was in jail at that time, said Hasina.
At the outset of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show respect to the language movement heroes for their sacrifice, as well as the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 1975 August 15 carnage, including Babandhu.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader delivered the introductory speech in the discussion, while AL presidium members Matia Chowdhury and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, AL publicity and publication affairs sub-committee co-chairman Prof Dr Sadeka Halim, AL Information and Research Affairs Secretary Dr Salim Mahmud, publicity and publication secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap and noted actor Ferdous Ahmed, among others, spoke on the occasion.
6 hurt in clash involving Sramik League in Manikganj
At least six people were injured in a clash between two groups of Sramik League, one of Awami League’s front organisations, over placing wreaths at the central Shaheed Minar in Manikganj Sadar Upazila on Tuesday.
The clash erupted between the followers of Sramik League leaders Abdul Jalil and Babul Sarkar around 9:00am in front of the central Shaheed Minar at Manikganj Govt High School. Later, the Jubo League and the Shecchashebok League also got involved in the fight.
Jubo League leaders Nazmul and Pradip Basu, Shecchashebok League leader Kajal and Sramik League leader Kader were among the injured.
According to police and party sources, a long-standing dispute has been going on between Abdul Jalil and Babul Sarkar over the leadership of district Sramik League. Both claim themselves as president of the district Sramik League.
On Tuesday morning, leaders and activists from Awami League’s front organisations gathered around Manikganj’s central Shaheed Minar to pay their homage to the 1952 Language Movement martyrs.
Later, district AL’s former additional secretary Sultanul Azam Khan announced the name of Abdul Jalil as the Shecchashebok League leader to place wreaths at the Shaheed Minar triggering protest from Babul Sarkar’s followers. Protests led to a massive clash between the two groups.
Senior party leaders and police officers intervened to bring the situation under control about half an hour later.
District Awami League's General Secretary Abdus Salam termed the incident "unexpected" and said disciplinary action would be taken against those who were involved in the clash.
Abdur Rouf, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, told UNB that no complaint was immediately filed in this regard.
“However, the senior leaders of the district Awami League have managed to reach a compromise between the two groups,” he added.
BNP ‘sponsor of militants’ in the country: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that BNP’s last resorts are “communal violence and militancy.”
He made the remark today after placing wreaths and paying respects at the graves of language heroes at Azimpur graveyard, marking ‘Amar Ekushey’ — International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh.
Calling BNP the “sponsor of militants” in the country, Quader said that not Awami League but BNP formed a “one-party rule” system after killing Bangabandhu and his family members and subsequently killed democracy.
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said that all should stand united against BNP as they, even after 51 years of independence, maintain political affiliation with Jamaat.
"BNP joined forces with Jamaat-e Islami that embraces Pakistani ideology rather than our culture and language. After independence, they have been the main proponents of attacks on our language and culture. Our oath is to resist them," he said.
Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary Ahmad Hossain, Advocate Afzal Hossain, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur, Relief and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Agriculture Affairs Secretary Faridunnahar Laili among others were also present.
Awami League has undertaken a two-day programme on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.
National and party flags were lowered to half-mast and black flags were hoisted at the central office of Awami League, Bangabandhu Bhaban and all the unit offices of the organization across the country at 6:30 am.
A discussion meeting of Awami League will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on the occasion of International Mother Language Day on Wednesday (February 22) at 3 pm while Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the event.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier paid homage by placing wreaths at the Central Shahid Minar at one minute past midnight.
They stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.