Politics
BNP holds protests to denounce 12th national election in Dhaka
After staying into hiding for nearly three months to avoid arrest, thousands of BNP leaders and workers came out together and brought a black-flag procession in the capital on Saturday demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament.
As part of the BNP’s programme in all metropolitan cities, the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies gathered at Nayapaltan wearing black caps and holding black flags in their hands also to protest against the price hikes of essential commodities.
Many of them also carried placards demanding the release of the arrested party leaders, including secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
BNP demands UN-led investigation into Raisuddin's killing by BSF
After a brief rally, they took out the black-flag procession around 3:30pm that ended near Arambagh intersection via Nightengal and Fakirapool intersections.
They also chanted slogans disapproving the current government, parliament and the 12th parliamentary election.
This was also the BNP's first street programme after the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7.
As the government launched a crackdown on them arresting party senior leaders after October 28 following violent clashes between the police and the opposition activists, most of the party leaders and workers went into hiding to avoid arrest. They were hardly seen participating in the BNP’s hartal and blockade programme ahead of the national election.
BNP to mark opening of parliament with black-flag procession
Speaking at the rally before taking out the procession, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said that the current government is not elected by the people of Bangladesh as it has been installed by India, China and Russia.
“It’s the government of India, China and Russia, not the government of the people of Bangladesh. That is why we are not bound to obey this regime. We’re now in a struggle not only for restoring our right to vote, but also for restoring our democracy and protecting our independence and sovereignty,” the BNP leader said.
Claiming that the country’s people did not vote for the ruling party on January 7, Gayeshwar said the government is now collecting certificates from foreigners to justify its illegal power. “If people of the country don't give you (govt) the certificate, you have no chance to prove the legitimacy with the certificates of foreigners."
He urged the BNP leaders and workers to be more active to get success in their movement for the restoration of democracy.
Mirza Fakhrul turns 77; family greets him at Dhaka Central Jail
BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said they took to the streets with the procession holding black flags to register their protest against the government formed without the mandate of people. “The black-flag procession is recognised as a language of protest all over the world.”
He warned that the Awami League government will be forced to quit power as it has got isolated from people. “We’re on the streets, we will be there on the streets...we’ll continue this peaceful protest until the BNP and all democratic political parties of Bangladesh can bring democracy back to the country."
BNP demands UN-led investigation into Raisuddin's killing by BSF
BNP on Saturday demanded an investigation under the supervision of the United Nations [UN] into the killing of a member of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Benapole border in Jashore.
In a statement, the standing committee of the party alleged that the BSF has turned the border areas of Bangladesh into a 'blood sport' with 201 Bangladeshi citizens killed by the India border force over the last seven years.
At their meeting on Friday, the BNP standing committee, the highest policy-making body of the party, strongly condemned the killing of the BGB member by the BSF.
BGB sepoy Mohammad Raisuddin was gunned down by the BSF members along the Benapole border on Monday.
After the incident, BSF in a statement claimed that the slain BGB sepoy was accompanying smugglers in plain clothes.
But the BNP standing committee described the BSF’s explanation as unacceptable and said a BGB member can never accompany a smuggling gang wearing a lungi and a t-shirt. “Indian human rights organization MASUM also disagreed with BSF's statement.”
The party also said the BSF’s statement was fabricated as the force was just trying to justify their killings, encouraged by the 'Big-Brother' attitude of Indian policymakers. “There’s always a huge gap between the crimes committed by the BSF and their rhetoric. Their (BSF’s) attitude gives an impression that they still could not come out of the primitive and medieval ages.”
It also said the people of Bangladesh have rejected the BSF’s concocted statement on Raisuddin killing with hatred. "The bloodshed along the border will not stop because of India's ambitious policy."
By killing a BGB member, BNP said India sent out a hegemonic message to keep the people of Bangladesh subservient to them.
“India-Bangladesh border is the most violent and bloody in the world. Despite India’s repeated commitments (to bring it down), the incidents of killing of Bangladeshi citizens by the BSF along the Bangladesh border are increasing,” the party said.
It said ordinary Bangladeshi citizens have been killed for so long by the BSF, but now even the members of BGB are not safe along the border. “The killing of the border guards of an independent country by the border guards of another country is not a simple incident, rather it involves the question of independence and sovereignty of the state.”
The BNP also said it is a matter of deep concern that Sheikh Hasina's knee-jerk foreign policy as a result of her greed for power has turned Bangladesh into a vassal state: "The usurper Awami government is now a pawn of a hateful anti-national plot. Even now the member of the BGB is losing life without any justified reason.”
The party also slammed the government's "silence" over the killing of the BGB member and border killings.
“The BSF's 'deliberate killing' is now known to all. Delhi's ferocity and Dhaka's silence are contributing to the uncontrolled border killings. The silence over the incidents of killing of Bangladeshis near the border by the BSF is the result of Sheikh Hasina's subservient perpetual 'political settlement' with Delhi,” the BNP standing committee said.
BNP to mark opening of parliament with black-flag procession
BNP will hold a black-flag procession programme across the country on January 30, the first day the 12th parliament is scheduled to go into session, demanding a fresh election under a non-party government.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy announced the fresh programme in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Saturday at a rally before taking out a black-flag procession.
“Our party’s all units will bring out black-flag processions in all cities, all districts, all upazilas, thanks and municipalities on January 30 to demand the cancellation of the illegal dummy parliament and a new parliamentary election under a non-partisan neutral government,” he said.
The BNP leader called upon party leaders and activists to make the programme a success together with people also to protest against the current government and parliament.
As part of the BNP’s programme in all metropolitan cities, hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies gathered at Nayapaltan to bring out processions holding black flags demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament and protesting the price hike of essential commodities.
After a brief rally, they took out the black-flag procession around 3pm that ended near Arambagh intersection via Nightingale and Fakirapool intersections.
A similar programme was observed by BNP’s all district units on Friday to press home the same demand and to register their protest against the skyrocketing prices of essential items.
This was the BNP's first street programme after the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7.
Mirza Fakhrul turns 77; family greets him at Dhaka Central Jail
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir turned 77 on Friday with birthday greetings by the family members at Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.
Fakhrul’s wife Rahat Ara Begum along with his younger daughter Mirza Safaruh and sister Najma Kalam met him at the central jail at noon and greeted him with happy birthday there, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
He said the family members took Mirza Fakhrul's favourite food and a cake to the jail on his birthday. They spent around 45 minutes with the BNP leader in the jail.
Neither parliament nor current govt was formed with people’s mandate: Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan
Contacted, Rahat Ara said they became upset after meeting Fakhrul as his health condition is not good.
“He lost five kg of weight as he is sick. So I feel sad to see him in such poor health condition,” she said.
Fakhrul’s wife urged the country’s people to pray for her ailing husband.
Fakhul has been staying in jail since he was arrested on October 29, a day after violent clashes between the police and BNP leaders and activists centring the party’s grand rally in the capital’s Nayapaltan area.
BNP, like-minded parties set to hold black-flag processions Friday, Saturday
Fakhrul was born on January 26, 1948 in Thakurgaon. His father late Mirza Ruhul Amin was a Muslim League leader and a minister of the Pakistan government.
Fakhrul, who had involvement with left politics during his student life, completed his graduation and post-graduation from Dhaka University's Economics department.
Later, he took up teaching as his profession through the BCS examination. Fakhrul quit teaching during the 80s and joined politics formally.
He was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 with BNP's ticket in 2001 and then made a state minister. He was also elected MP from Bogura-6 seat in the 11th parliamentary election. But he did not take oath yet as the BNP rejected the election results.
New education policy, school curriculum are anti-national: Rizvi
Fakhrul was made acting secretary general of BNP after the death of the party's then-secretary general. Khandaker Delwar Hossain, in 2011. He was given the full charge of the party's secretary general position five years later in 2016.
Neither parliament nor current govt was formed with people’s mandate: Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan
BNP leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Friday said neither the parliament nor the current government was formed with the mandate of the people of the country.
"We would like to say this clearly that the parliament and the government were not formed with the votes of people. So, it’s not the parliament of people and not the government of people,” he said.
Dr Moyeen, a standing committee member of BNP, came up with the remarks while distributing blankets among the destitute in front of the Jatiya Press club. Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineering Association of Bangladesh arranged the programme.
BNP, like-minded parties set to hold black-flag processions Friday, Saturday
He said the country’s people have turned down the government formed through the lopsided election without the participation of voters on January 7.
The BNP leader claimed that their party believes in the politics of people and it always works for ensuring the welfare and rights of the country’s people. “We’ll be there on the streets to stand by the people until we can bring back democracy for the 18 crore people of Bangladesh.”
He said the government may try to suppress people by force with guns, rifles and bullets, but ultimately it will be defeated to people.
New education policy, school curriculum are anti-national: Rizvi
Dr Moyeen said there was no election in Bangladesh on January 7 as a selection was done in the name of election from the capital. “Not only the BNP or the pro-democratic people of Bangladesh but also the voters belonging to Awami League did not participate in the election.”
He said the freedom fighters liberated Bangladesh for establishing democracy and ensuring the economic emancipation of poor people.
“The government built the Padma Bridge by spending Tk40,000 crores and it built the metro rail by spending Tk30,000 crores...I have a small question when you can spend Tk,40,000 and Tk30,000 crores (for mega projects) why can't you give a blanket of one hundred taka to the cold-hit people? Why do we (BNP) have to stand here and distribute blankets?” Dr Moyen said.
Rich-poor disparity rising due to lack of democracy: BNP leader Nazrul Islam
He said the ruling party leaders are plundering the country’s resources and siphoning off huge money abroad for making their second homes as they do not do politics for the welfare of the people.
BNP to be restricted strictly if it commits violence in the name of movement: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said the BNP will be resisted strictly if it creates violent situation in the name of movement.
He came up with the warning while distributing winter clothes among cold-stricken people in Dhandmondi of Dhaka on Friday morning.
The relief and social welfare affairs sub-committee of the AL arranged the programme.
Quader returns home from Singapore after routine health checkup
BNP has no hope at the moment, he said adding that they are now holding procession with black flags, this is a procession of mourning. “Thus they themselves are telling the nation that we are defeated,” he said .
Rejecting the BNP’s claim about the number of arrested party leaders and activists, the AL leader said who set fire to trains, buses, killed police by beating and attacked the residence of the Chief Justice are in jail.
Ershad, Khaleda rewarded main perpetrator of Ctg mass killings: Foreign Minister
He also asked the BNP to face it legally.
“In which country punishment is not given for committing crimes? Should we release them as per America’s advice,” said Quader.
Global leaders congratulating new govt is driving BNP insane: Hasan Mahmud
Chaired by AL Relief and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, the party’s Organizing Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, lawmaker Ferdous Ahmed and members of the sub-committee were present on the occasion.
Quader returns home from Singapore after routine health checkup
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader returned home from Singapore on Thursday evening after a routine health checkup in Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Ershad, Khaleda rewarded main perpetrator of Ctg mass killings: Foreign Minister
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the minister landed in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) from Singapore in the evening, said a media release signed by Sheikh Wahlid Fayez, senior information officer of the ministry.
Global leaders congratulating new govt is driving BNP insane: Hasan Mahmud
Quader, also general secretary of Awami League, left Dhaka for Singapore on January 23 for going through his health check-up, reads the release.
Party symbol to be withheld in upazila elections: Quader
BNP, like-minded parties set to hold black-flag processions Friday, Saturday
The BNP and like-minded opposition parties are set to bring out processions holding black flags in all districts on Friday demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament and protesting the growing price hikes of essential commodities.
A similar programme will also be held in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka, on Saturday to press home the same demand and to register their protest against the skyrocketing prices of essential items.
New education policy, school curriculum are anti-national: Rizvi
Apart from Ganatantra Mancha, 12-Party Alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, Gono Odhikar Parishad, LDP, Labour Party, Ganatantrik Bam Oikya, Gonoforum and People’s Party will also take out black-flag processions separately in different areas of the capital.
Talking to UNB, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said their party leaders and activists will bring out a procession at 2 pm on Saturday in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Rich-poor disparity rising due to lack of democracy: BNP leader Nazrul Islam
“We have informed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) about this programme. Our party Vice Chairman Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury talked to the DMP authorities about the programme,” he said.
He said the DMP authorities expressed a positive attitude towards the programme though they still did not give formal permission.
Koko’s 9th death anniversary Wednesday
Rizvi said the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units have taken all-out preparations to make the black-flag programme a success.
This will be the BNP's first street programme after the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7.
New education policy, school curriculum are anti-national: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday described the new education policy and school curriculum as anti-national, saying it will only destroy the education system.
“The government is going to destroy the education system of the country by introducing anti-national curriculum in the new education system,” he said.
Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also accused the government of trying to make the students forget their national existence with the new school curriculum.
Koko’s 9th death anniversary Wednesday
"The new education policy and the curriculum are contrary to the culture and values of the country. If the new educational policy and curriculum are implemented, the education system of the country will be destroyed,” he said.
Rizvi also said the government is trying to put the national existence at stake with the new school curriculum in a very well-planned and very cunning way.
Whenever the Awami League comes to power, he said democracy and freedom of speech are snatched and the education system is designed to make the new generation subservient to others.
The BNP leader claimed that the nation has been pushing towards destruction by implementing a new curriculum that is not universal as it has been formulated imitating the curriculum of a country.
He also said the education curriculum has been introduced with a deceitful political motive as a part of a plot to make the independence and sovereignty of the country dependent and to break the backbone of the nation. “The nation has turned down the new curriculum with hatred.”
Rizvi said the government earlier tried to do something new by introducing creative methods after spending thousands of crores of taka, but it finally turned unsuccessful.
“The science education has been compressed through new educational policy and curriculum and the attempts to inculcate moral values through religious education have been completely ignored. Attempts have also been made to pervert the adolescent mind by introducing sex education in the name of health protection education,” he observed.
'India deepened ties with AL, not people of Bangladesh': Rizvi
The BNP leader said a drastic shrinkage of science education is visible in the new education curriculum and voiced concern that the removal of pure sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology from the secondary level will create obstacles in the way of building a science-minded generation.
He also said Bangladesh will fail to play a role in career-based knowledge, science, technology and medical science at global standards if the new curriculum is implemented.
Besides, Rizvi said online use has been expanded in the curriculum, but online education is not perfect at all levels. “The children and teenagers can indulge in various misdeeds, illegal games, online gambling, Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok, porn sites while collecting information using various devices (mobile and tab).”
He said online can be used in education programmes only during various natural disasters and emergencies like the coronavirus period.
Ershad, Khaleda rewarded main perpetrator of Ctg mass killings: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Wednesday that former President HM Ershad and BNP chief Khaleda Zia rewarded police commissioner Rakibul Huda, the main perpetrator of Chattogram mass killings.
“Rakibul Huda was the main person behind the black chapter that was written through the killing in Chattogram on January 24, 1988. Ershad also promoted him and later BNP leader Khaleda Zia also promoted him," he said.
Govt to do everything possible to implement verdict against Tarique: FM
“On that day, 24 people were killed in a shots fired like rain to assassinate Sheikh Hasina. The police commissioner was not accused of this crime, rather rewarded,” said the foreign minister while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by Chattogram North, South and Metropolitan Awami League on the occasion of ‘Chattogram Mass Killings Day’ on Wednesday evening.
Describing the context of the day, the minister said, "On January 24, 1988, Sheikh Hasina led a procession in Chattogram. On that day, an attempt was made to kill the leader of the people by shooting people like hunting birds.”
BD, UK vow to deepen ties at FM Hasan’s meet with HC Cooke
“Although the death toll on that day was 24, many bodies disappeared, many people were injured. The whole city was darkened in the evening. Some people around the leader's truck were killed, even shots were fired at the leader. When the firing stopped, the leaders of the Bar Association took the leader to the court building.”
Hasan said that obstacles were created in holding the 12th parliamentary election, but the country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, overcoming all obstacles.
We’re dealing with Myanmar government on Rohingya repatriation: FM
“A good election was held in the country under the leadership of the Election Commission and with the overall cooperation of the government. There was an acceptable election at home and abroad.”
"Those who try to question the vote are actually raising questions to save their face. BNP has now brought Dr Moyeen Khan instead of the previous leaders. If he can do something by saying nice things,’’ he said.
“BNP has failed to face Sheikh Hasina in politics. There is a lot of dissatisfaction against Tarique Rahman inside. That discontent will explode at some point,” he also said.
Chattogram City Awami League President Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury presided over the meeting while Chattogram South District General Secretary Mofizur Rahman moderated it.