United News of Bangladesh

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s decision not to attend the BRICS Summit in India demonstrated Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and created a sense of pride among its people. He said Tarique Rahman was invited to the BRICS Summit in his capacity as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), rather than as Bangladesh’s prime minister. “Tarique Rahman is the prime minister of an independent and sovereign country. You will not invite him as prime minister and expect him to sit on the sidelines. That cannot happen,” Rizvi said. He said political analysts have also described the prime minister’s decision not to attend the summit as a demonstration of the strength of Bangladesh’s flag, independence and sovereignty. The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest a human chain and protest rally organised by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddher Projonmo in front of the Jatiya Press Club. The programme was organised to protest what the organisers described as “a conspiracy against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty by fallen autocratic killer Hasina at India’s instigation”. Rizvi criticised those questioning why Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS Summit, saying they have not spoken about what he described as conspiracies against the country. Referring to the Adani Power Plant in Jharkhand, India, he said the plant supplies 1,300 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh. The BNP leader said the plant had announced that one of its units had broken down shortly after Tarique decided not to attend the BRICS summit, questioning the timing of the disruption. He also criticised India for not extraditing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina despite repeated requests from the Bangladesh government. Rizvi alleged that numerous people accused of killing democracy activists have also taken shelter in India. Referring to a former major accused in the assassination case of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said the person had fled to India for a long period and was later arrested there and handed over to Sheikh Hasina’s government for trial in Bangladesh. “If you could hand over that major, why are you not handing over those accused of killing around 1,400 people? Why are those facing trial under Bangladeshi law not being handed over?” the acting secretary general said. He also alleged that India is plotting against Bangladesh’s political leadership while publicly talking about friendly relations. “Face to face, you speak very sweetly. But the web of conspiracy you are creating behind the scenes centring on Sheikh Hasina is very clear,” Rizvi said. He also said several economic indicators are showing positive trends despite the crisis, particularly remittance inflows and foreign exchange reserves. The BNP leader said the economy is being managed in a planned manner despite the global gas and fuel crisis. He alleged that some quarters are trying to take the country back to the period before 1971. Referring to recent developments at Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and elsewhere, Rizvi warned against what he described as attempts to undermine the achievements of the War of Liberation and democracy. He said BNP, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and nationalist forces will not allow the achievements of the War of Liberation and democracy to be undermined. The BNP acting secretary general people who support the War of Liberation will not allow any attempt to reverse the country’s historical course.

BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Mirza Abbas left Dhaka for Malaysia on Wednesday for routine health check-up. He departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 12:50 pm, said his personal assistant Mizanur Rahman Sohel.  His wife Afroza Abbas and son Mirza Yasir Abbas are accompanying him, Sohel said. He said Mirza Abbas would undergo a health check-up at Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia. Sohel said the family has sought prayers from people for Mirza Abbas's recovery. Mirza Abbas returned home from Malaysia on Sept 2 after receiving treatment in Singapore and Malaysia for nearly five months.

Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged demonstration on the campus on Tuesday night protesting several crude bomb explosions. Around 11:30pm, JCD leaders and activists marched through the campus before holding a brief rally in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at TSC. Leaders from different levels of the DU JCD were present at the rally. Shortly before the procession, sound of several crude bomb explosions was heard inside Dhaka University campus. Addressing the rally, DU JCD General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon said the country’s freedom-seeking students and people had shown a “red card” to those who were sent into political exile from Bangladesh on August 5, and people would never allow them to return to politics. “we must keep a close watch on Chhatra League activists who remained in the halls after making nominal resignations at opportune moments during the July movement, and we must uproot the fangs of their conspiracies,” he said. He also called on every JCD leader and activist to remain vigilant to continue the democratic journey achieved through the blood of martyrs Abu Sayed, Mugdha, Wasim and Rabbi. Meanwhile, around 12:30am, leaders of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), met with the Dhaka University proctor to strongly protest the cocktail explosions on the campus and demand an investigation into the incident.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has strongly protested and condemned what it called the Election Commission's "independence-less and spineless" role, pointing to contradictory statements from the EC and a state minister over the schedule and process for upcoming local government elections. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday evening, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah announced possible dates for the seven phases of local government elections, only for State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam to immediately claim the government has no knowledge of the matter and that no discussions have taken place with the EC. Compounding the confusion, they said, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed publicly stated afterwards that the state minister's remarks will be treated as binding and that he will not "dare" to make any counter-comments, a response the NCP leaders said exposed the commission's "extreme spinelessness and subordination." While it is natural for an independent constitutional body like the EC to have its own decisions and positions, the NCP leaders said, the secretary's silence in the face of the state minister's comments proves the commission can no longer exercise the independent role granted to it by the Constitution and has become fully subservient to the government. They added that the EC's shifting statements under government pressure and influence reflect "extreme capriciousness" that is destroying even the minimum guarantee of a neutral and fair election. The NCP leaders expressed outrage, alleging that instead of strengthening state institutions after coming to power, the current administration has instead focused on their partisan capture. They described the attempt to “control” the EC and run elections under the government's own supervision as a clear manifestation of "fascist-style greed for power and undemocratic practice." The party further alleged that the government has moved to turn the constitutional body into a partisan instrument by appointing, on a contractual basis, a person linked to its own party's election-related activities as an additional secretary of the commission. The NCP demanded that the EC immediately free itself from government influence and interference and function as an independent, autonomous institution. It also called for a clear explanation to the nation over what it termed the commission's unprofessional conduct in capitulating before the executive branch, and demanded an immediate end to what it described as the executive's illegal influence and undemocratic interference over the EC and other state institutions. Nahid and Akhter warned that the public, following the new democratic journey that began after the July uprising, will not accept an Election Commission that is spineless and subservient to the government bureaucracy. They cautioned that if the government fails to let the EC function impartially and continues to run institutions in an undemocratic manner according to its own wishes, the NCP will launch a tough resistance movement on the streets alongside the country's people.  

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Tuesday claimed that more than 4,500 BNP leaders and activists were killed in the name of “crossfire” and around 700 others were subjected to enforced disappearances during the 17 years of the previous government. “Many leaders and activists were killed and subjected to enforced disappearance for their association with BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said. The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting on law and order and development at the conference room of the Bagerhat deputy commissioner’s office in the afternoon. He said more than 60 lakh people faced “false and fabricated cases” for their involvement in BNP and Jamaat politics during the previous government. “Police were the plaintiffs in 99 percent of those cases.” “Notice the change. Now police are not filing cases as plaintiffs to harass political opponents,” Asaduzzaman said. He, however, said this did not mean that the culture of false cases has completely ended. The minister said when families of political groups or victims file cases against individuals, many names may be included regardless of whether the allegations are true or false. “The police are now verifying such allegations before taking action,” he said. On the drug situation, he said masterminds of drug syndicates are remaining beyond the reach of law and alleged that drugs are being smuggled into the country by drones from across the border. “There will be zero tolerance on drugs. If any party leader is behind it, we are warning them as well,” he said. Describing drug abuse as a social disease, Asaduzzaman said no one involved in the drug trade will be spared and called for collective efforts to make society free of drugs. Addressing law enforcement agencies, he said anyone facing allegations must be brought under the law, regardless of how influential they are. The meeting was chaired by Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten. Local lawmakers, government officials and representatives of various professions attended the meeting. Earlier in the morning, the minister held a meeting with judicial officers of all levels at the conference room of the Bagerhat District Judges Court. In the afternoon, he joined a view-exchange meeting with BNP leaders and activists at the Bagerhat District Council auditorium.  

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday began selling nomination forms for the by-election to the Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary constituency, with Mirza Faisal Amin, younger brother of President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, collecting one. Mirza Faisal, president of Thakurgaon district BNP and former mayor of Thakurgaon municipality, collected the nomination form to seek the BNP nomination for the by-election. The sale of nomination forms began at 11am at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said three nomination forms were sold for the Thakurgaon by-election. Thakurgaon district BNP General Secretary Paigam Ali collected the nomination form on behalf of Mirza Faisal. Leaders and activists from different levels of the district BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations were present at the time. Details about the other two nomination forms were not immediately known. Mirza Fakhrul, then the lawmaker from Thakurgaon-1, was elected President on August 20. He took the oath as President the following day, after which the seat was declared vacant. The by-election to the constituency will be held on October 29. The Election Commission announced the election schedule on September 10. The deadline for submitting nomination forms to the BNP is Wednesday. The party’s candidate for the constituency is expected to be announced on September 18.  

The Sylhet city unit of BNP boycotted the civic reception hosted by the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) in honour of President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in Sylhet on Tuesday. Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, general secretary of the unit, said BNP and its affiliated organisations under the unit decided to boycott the programme over what he described as the organisers’ “arbitrary conduct” and the failure to form a proper citizens’ committee for the reception. Nasim Hossain, president of the unit BNP, said no leaders or activists from the unit attended the event. Party leaders said they welcomed the President’s visit to Sylhet and took part in welcoming him at different points in the city, but decided not to attend the main reception because of their objections to how it was organised. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir arrived in Sylhet on Tuesday morning on a daylong visit to pay homage at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA). The aircraft carrying the President landed at Osmani International Airport at 11:29am. Members of Parliament from different constituencies in Sylhet, district administration officials and senior leaders of various political parties welcomed him at the airport. This was President first visit to Sylhet since assuming office.    

Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman on Tuesday visited Blue Sky School, an institution run by the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) for children with special needs. The young students welcomed her with flowers when she reached the school, while BAF Women’s Welfare Association (BAFWWA) and Others Women and Children Club (OWCC) President Saleha Khan received her. The ZRF vice president observed various classroom and overall developmental activities for children with special needs, including hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and music therapy. Principal Group Captain Mohammad Nur Ullah briefed her on its overall activities, including education, technical training, therapy facilities and medical emergency arrangements. Currently, 28 specially trained teachers and therapists are working at the school with the aim of helping the children lead a healthy and normal life. Established by BAFWWA in 2021, the school has one teacher and one sister or brother assigned for every five students. As part of its technical education programme aimed at making children with special needs economically self-reliant, several students have already been employed as assistant therapists. Later, Zubaida visited the training activities of BAFWWA Crafts and Boutique, the long-term training project and BAFWWA Industrial Home under the BAFWWA Corner. She also inspected handicraft products made by the trainees. At the end of her visit, she enjoyed a cultural programme organised with the participation of children with special needs from Blue Sky School and students of BAFWWA Golden Eagle Nursery. During the programme, children with special needs performed songs, dances, a fashion show and various other performances. Zubaida praised BAFWWA’s humanitarian initiatives to provide education and therapy facilities for children with special needs and help women become self-reliant. Later, the young students of Blue Sky School took part in a photo session with her. On behalf of BAFWWA and OWCC, Zubaida was presented with a memento and a special gift, a photograph of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. BAFWWA and OWCC President Saleha Khan delivered the welcome address at the programme. A video presentation was made, highlighting BAFWWA’s programmes and the activities of Blue Sky School.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday accused some cultural figures, including Rokeya Prachy and Meher Afroz Shaon, of praising deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and getting involved in “various conspiracies.” “Today, Rokeya Prachy and others in Bangladesh are heaping praise on Hasina and getting involved in various conspiracies. Look at Humayun Ahmed’s younger wife, Meher Afroz Shaon, and see what kind of role she has already been playing,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while speaking at the unveiling of a new song by singer-songwriter Ethun Babu about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the evening. He said being an artiste does not necessarily mean that someone will be a humanist, and being a cultural personality does not necessarily mean that one will have an open mind or be a humanist. Rizvi said the true cultural figure is someone who possesses the qualities of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. “The person who has humanity is the true artiste. A person without humanity can never be a true artiste,” he said. He said cultural activists have historically played a leading role in struggles for independence, democracy and revolutions. “The cultural force is the vanguard, the leading force of every movement. If they are not organised, a movement cannot succeed,” the BNP leader said. He said fascist regimes also had their cultural groups and cultural personalities who supported them. “History has shown this in different countries of the world. Many prominent artistes, performers and cultural personalities supported Hitler’s Nazi regime and Mussolini’s fascist rule,” Rizvi said. He said not every artiste or prominent cultural personality necessarily becomes a humanist, alleging that some artistes failed to recognise the sacrifices of those killed during the July uprising. “They did not see the sacrifices of Ahnab, Mugdha and Abu Sayed, which we just watched on the screen. They did not see the blood flowing from their bodies or the white shirts soaked in red,” the acting BNP secretary general said. He said some people had become so “closed-minded” and “narrow” that they were supporting what he described as a “terrible fascist” despite being citizens of the same country. Rizvi also advised people not to focus solely on becoming someone else or reaching a particular position, but to try to move forward from wherever they currently stand. “We all think about what we will become and what position we will reach. But if I think about trying to move a little forward from where I am, that will bring the greatest success. That is what will take you much farther,” he said.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has threatened to wage street movement against what it called a "politically motivated" inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against its Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, accusing the government of turning the anti-graft body into a “partisan tool”. In a joint statement issued on Monday evening, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said the ACC is using "rumours and politically motivated propaganda" spearheaded by the Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities, to justify the investigation, which proved that the government has "unmistakably politicised" the commission. They alleged the ACC is being revived as a “political weapon”, reminiscent of the Awami League era, to tarnish the image of top leaders of the July uprising and suppress anti-fascist forces. The NCP leaders claimed that the ACC's inquiry against Asif Mahmud stemmed from "false and misleading" reports published by a so-called online portal run by a leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, the Awami League's student wing. "A commission that stages the drama of investigation based on baseless, imaginary reports fabricated by cadres of a banned student organisation cannot claim even a minimum of neutrality or moral standing," the statement reads. It added that the move is designed to “politically harass” the architects of the mass uprising and pave the way for the return of "fascism." The NCP said it stands ready to fully cooperate with any fair investigation, only if the commission is reconstituted as a genuinely independent and impartial body in line with the July National Charter 2025. "If this unconstitutional and politicised commission, under the guise of a neutral probe, is turned into a tool to suppress the opposition and the July uprising fighters, the NCP will never accept it," it said. The party urged the government to refrain from "following the footsteps of the fallen fascists." It also called for an immediate end to what it described as a conspiratorial campaign to target political opponents, and demanded the reconstitution of the ACC in line with the spirit of the July Charter. The NCP warned that it will launch a "strong resistance movement" on the streets against what they called the political abuse of power and a government "blueprint" against them if there is no end to harassment of the July fighters.