Politics
BNP demands govt's immediate resignation
Blaming the government for the loss of lives in different parts of the country over the last three days in violence, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday asserted that this "regime must go".
“This government has shed the blood of common people on Bangladesh soil on the day of the 50th anniversary of Independence. It must shoulder the full responsibility for the bloodletting and loss of lives in Dhaka, Chattogram and Brahmanbaria in the last three days, and it must repay the blood debt,” he said.
Also read:BNP not to join upcoming UP polls: Fakhrul
Speaking at a protest rally, he said, "We want to make it clear that a country can never go on like this. This government can never cling to power by dashing people’s hopes and aspirations even after the 50 years of the country’s independence. They must go.”
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, Dhaka south and north units of BNP arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the killing of people and police attacks on the Independence Day and snatching people’s democratic rights.
Fakhrul urged the government to step down immediately and transfer power to a neutral government paving the way for holding a credible election under an impartial Election Commission.
Otherwise, he warned, that the government will have to quit power facing the fate like other dictators of the past. “Let’s get united and forge a unity of people.”
Also read:BNP chalks out 2-day programme to mark Feb 21
The BNP leader alleged that the government has turned parliament into a rubber stamp in a planned way.
“The independence of the judiciary has been snatched, the administration has been politicised and law enforcement agencies have been turned into partisan oppressive forces. They (govt) did it to establish one-party Baksal rule. So, they must be ousted from power,” he observed.
Fakhrul said law enforcers together with ruling party activists repressed the country’s people over the last few days while many people , including BNP leaders and activists, were arrested by police.
He voiced concern over the growing price hike of daily essentials ahead of Ramadan, and urged the government to take effective steps to keep the prices of commodities within the buying capacity of people.
The BNP leader said their party wants Bangladesh to have good relations with neighbouring countries as the government claims it has very close relations with India. “But the Teesta water-sharing deal has not yet been signed and the border killing has not been stopped yet.”
He said the government cannot resolve outstanding problems with India and realise Bangladeshi people's justified demands due to its 'subservient' policy.
Also read:BNP criticises move to repeal Zia's gallantry title
“We would like to say that we won't be able to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of our people and protect the independence of Bangladesh by keeping this regime in power. Our freedom and democracy are now at stake under the current government,” Fakhrul observed.
BNP accuses govt of destabilising country
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the government has destabilised the country with its ‘imprudent’ decision like killing of people.
In a statement, he said, "In the last two days, since the great Independence Day, massacres carried out in Dhaka, Chittagong, Brahmanbaria and other areas through the firing of bullets and violence by law enforcers and Chhatra League and Jubo League. “People have been shot dead in Brahmanbaria even today (Sunday).”
"The government has made the entire country unstable with its imprudent decision of killing people by getting unnerved in the face of protests and demonstrations by people,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP leader Nipun Roy ‘detained’ in city
He alleged that the government ordered law enforcers to shoot people and gave weapons to the ‘ruling party cadres’ instead of taking steps to calm the situation. “The government must shoulder the responsibility for the evolving situation.”
Fakhrul said many people, including Pir Abdul Hamid of Madhupur, were injured in firing by ‘Awami cadres’ during a demonstration in Munshiganj’s Sirajdikhan.
Also read: Police Firing: BNP announces two-day demo
Besides, he said, indiscriminate firing and armed attacks were carried out in different parts of the country, including Dhaka’s signboard areas.
Fakhrul condemned the arrest of BNP Executive Committee member advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury in the city.
Also read: Undeclared “curfew” in Dhaka ignoring people: BNP
He demanded the government arrest the ‘Awami League cadres’ involved in the attacks on people and release Nipun immediately.
“The country’s people are living under the rule of an oppressive government. The government has become crazy to shed blood of people by firing bullets on people's chests instead of taking steps to protect public health amid coronavirus transmission,” Fakhrul observed.
Dream of independence remain unfulfilled: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said the dream of Bangladesh’s independence is yet to be materialised, even after 50 years of the Liberation War.
“If we assess our Golden Jubilee, we’ll find that the dream of independence has not been fulfilled yet,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief said, "Before independence, we had been subjected to discrimination by West Pakistanis. We got the independence through the Liberation War, but we’re not freed from discrimination yet.”
Also read: Country under grip of ‘autocracy: GM Quader
He made the remarks at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office. Gazipur’s renowned physician Johirul Islam along with around 50 people joined the Jatiya Party at the programme.
GM Quader alleged that Awami League and BNP established dictatorship and autocracy in the country since 1991 by amending the constitution.
He said it has become difficult for people to do business and get public jobs without allegiance to the ruling party due to the politicisation of the state organisations.
Also read: Now Bangladesh ‘cannot be called a democratic country’: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief also said laws are being enforced in different ways for the ruling party leaders and supporters and common people.
He alleged that the leaders of Awami League and the BNP have made huge money through grabbing, tender manipulation and extortion.
“So, we’ve to carry out a struggle again to implement the spirit of the Liberation War. Jatiya Party is doing politics with an aim to build a society free from discrimination,” GM Quader added.
Also read: GM Quader: One-sided elections put opposition’s existence at stake
Police Firing: BNP announces two-day demo
BNP on Saturday announced a demonstration programme for Monday and Tuesday to protest what it said the killing of people in different parts of the country on Independence Day.
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a virtual meeting of BNP standing committee members.
However, the party did not formally extend its support to Hefazat-e-Islam’s dawn-to-dusk hartal to be enforced across the country on Sunday protesting the killing of its activists by police and the attack on them by the “supporters of the ruling party”.
Fakhrul said they will stage demonstrations and take out processions in all the cities, including Dhaka, on Monday protesting the killing of people in ‘peaceful demonstrations’ on Independence Day.
He said they will also hold similar programmes on Tuesday in all the district towns on the same ground.
Asked whether BNP has any support to Hefazat’s hartal, Fakhrul parried the question saying they are only going to protest the killing of people on Independence Day.
“I’m saying very specifically that every organisation and every citizen has a constitutional right to register protest or express his/her views. We announced the programme to protest the firing of bullets on those who tried to exercise their right of freedom of expression,” he said.
The BNP leader said Hefazat has the right to enforce a hartal by exercising their democratic rights.
He also said it will be an undemocratic and reckless act if the government tries to resist or stop those who have convened the hartal. “No one can expect such an action by the government. The government has to shoulder the responsibility if any unwarranted situation arises in the country over the matter.”
Fakhrul said the bloodshed in Baitul Mukarram, Chattogram and Brahmanbaria through the indiscriminate firing and baton charge by police and Awami cadres’ attack is undoubtedly one of the stigmatised incidents in Bangladesh's 50-year of history. This is an unprecedented event. We’ve already condemned and protested such incidents and killings,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government has exposed its “fascist” character once again with the killing of people on Friday.
He said the ruling party has been trying to suppress the opposition and dissent by resorting to killing, enforced disappearance and repressive acts in order to retain its “illegitimate” power. “It’s trying to perpetuate authoritarian rule by using all the state machinery.”
BNP postponed Independence Day event to avoid embarrassment: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the BNP postponed its programme on the golden jubilee of independence as the party will face an embarrassing situation over some settled issues of history.
He said this at a discussion meeting organized by Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League on Awami League party office, 23 Bangabandhu Avenue on the occasion of Genocide Day this morning.
He virtually attended the programme from his official residence while President of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League presided over the programme.
Also read: BNP brings changes to Independence Day prog
Obaidul Quader also remarked that the decision to postpone the programme on the pretext of Corona taken by the BNP is ‘mysterious’.
On this day in 1971, at midnight, the barbaric Pakistani aggressors attacked the unarmed Bengalis all over the country including the capital Dhaka. Their main goal was to silence the Bengalis forever, he also said.
Quader informed that although various programs marking the 25th of March, the day of genocide is taken every year on the occasion of the day. Due to the coronavirus situation, the day is being celebrated on a limited scale this year.
Also read: Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni, organizing secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain were present at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue.
Awami League North general secretary SM Mannan Kochi and South Awami League general secretary Md Humayun Kabir and other central and metropolitan leaders were present.
BNP brings changes to Independence Day prog
BNP on Thursday brought changes to its programmes to celebrate the 50th Independence Day on Friday due to the worsening Covid situation and different restrictions imposed by the government.
As part of the changed programmes, the party will hoist national and party flags atop its all offices, including Nayapaltan central one, in the morning.
Also read: Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
The senior leaders of Dhaka district unit BNP, on behalf of the party, will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Mausoleum, Savar at 8:30am.
Later, BNP standing committee members will place a wreath at the mazar of their party founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital at 11:30am to mark the day.
The party will also hold a virtual discussion at 3pm, said a press release.
It urged the party leaders and activists to hoist national and party flags atop its all offices across the country and place wreaths at the National Mausoleum maintaining health safety rules.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 3-month high 34 deaths; 3,587 fresh cases
Earlier on February 24, the party announced that BNP standing committee members will place wreaths at National Memorial in Savar.
The party also had a plan to take out a rally at Nayapaltan in the afternoon and arrange some other programmes, including discussion and blood donation programmes.
In the wake of a fresh spike in coronavirus transmission, BNP on Wednesday postponed its all the programs chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence until March 30.
Also read: BNP launches year-long Golden Jubilee programmes
Minority community members moving out to India, alleges BNP
BNP on Thursday alleged that minority community members are moving out to India leaving Bangladesh due to torture under the current Awami League government.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also questioned as to why the government is not repealing the …‘Vested Property Act’ enacted during the Pakistan period.
"Why’re the minority people moving out to India although Awami League has long been in power? What’s the reason behind it? The reason is that the level of repression on them (minorities) has increased during this time with an aim to grab their property, loot their valuables and take other advantages,” Fakhrul observed.
Also read; BNP demands neutral probe into Sunamganj communal attack
He said Awami League used to say they want to protect communal harmony and the interests of minorities. “But the party has so far not revoked the Vested Property Act and ensured the fair rights the minority people have.”
He trashed Awami League leaders’ comments that the number of minorities left Bangladesh was higher during BNP’s rule in 2001.
“If you conduct an investigative report and see the media reports at different times, you’ll find the number of minorities going to India has increased these days,” Fakhrul claimed.
About the recent communal attack in Sunamganj's Shalla upazila, he said ruling party men carried out the incident with an aim to grab the lands and valuables of the minorities. “If you conduct research, you’ll see such attacks led by Awami League leaders were made after the Liberation War with the same motive.”
Referring to a newspaper report, Fakhrul said a ruling party MP occupied several hundred acres of land of minorities in his home district Thakurgaon two years back. “Minorities there formed human chains and took out processions, but didn’t get redress. Similar incidents happened in many other places, including in Faridpur. But it’s unfortunate that Awami League always tries to hide these incidents by shifting the blame onto others.”
He said though a Jubo League leader led the attack on Hindu community members at Shalla upazila and Obaidul Quader blamed BNP for it only to mislead people.
Also read: BNP demands prompt probe into Rohingya camp fire
“We want to make it clear that the Awami League has never been in favour of the minority community or they’ve never been in favour of communal harmony in the country. Rather, they’ve always occupied the property of the minorities resorting to terrorism.”
Speaking at the press meet, party vice-chairman Netai Roy Chowdhury, who visited Shalla upazila and talked to the victims, said the attack was premeditated one. “The houses and temples were vandalised and looted at the Hindu-inhabited village in Shalla upazila.”
“During our visit to the spot, we’ve witnessed indescribable destructions at the homes and worship places of the victims. The victims clearly told us that hundreds of people, led by local Juba League leader Swadhin Miah, came to the village and looted all valuables and furniture of about 60-70 houses, and destroyed windows, doors and fences of the houses. They beat men, women and the children,” he said.
The BNP leader said ‘Harmad Gang’ of Awami Jubo League, carried out extensive vandalism and looting at the Hindu houses and temples.
He alleged that the incident took place due to the negligence of the local administration and the help of the ruling party leaders. "Even after the incident, the administration didn’t take any immediate action. Two cases were later filed in the face of widespread criticism.”
Also read: Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
Netai Roy said 25 people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and most of them are the ruling party supporters.
"We strongly condemn and protest the heinous and cruel acts against the Hindu community at Shalla and demand the arrest and punishment of all those involved in the incident,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the administration to come forward to rebuild houses, temples and places of worship damaged during the attack, and ensure overall security to the Hindu-inhabited areas.”
Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
In the wake of a fresh spike in coronavirus transmission, BNP on Wednesday postponed its all the programmes chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence until March 30.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, also the convener of the party's national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee, came up with the announcement at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
“The Covid-19 situation in the country has now taken a dangerous turn. The number of coronavirus infections and deaths is surging seriously throughout this week,” he said.
The BNP leader said the risk of transmission of the virus has increased through welcoming foreign guests and holding various programmes.
Also read: BNP launches year-long Golden Jubilee programmes
“Considering the overall corona situation in the country and giving importance to the protection of public health and people’s worry about the rise in corona infection, BNP's Golden Jubilee programmes have been postponed till March 30.”
He said they will reschedule their programmes taken to mark the Golden Jubilee and implement those if the Covid situation improves.
Speaking at the press conference, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said as a responsible political party, BNP thinks all meetings and rallies should be postponed immediately due to the severity of corona transmission.
Also read: Bangladesh begins birth centenary, golden jubilee of independence celebrations
He urged all of their party leaders and activists across the country to wear masks and maintain safe physical distancing and health safety rules. “You please don't put yourself in danger by going to the crowded places and mass gatherings.”
Fakhrul also called upon the party leaders and workers to encourage people to abide by the health hygiene rules.
Earlier on February 24, BNP announced a 19-day programme for the month of March to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
As part of the programmes, the party had plans to bring out a Golden Jubilee rally in the capital on March 26 and hold a grand rally on March 30 at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Also read: Bangladesh reports new high of 3,567 Corona cases; 25 more die
Fakhrul urged the government to take immediate steps to slow down the corona transmission by postponing all the state programmes. “We’re calling upon the government to stop all programmes and events by giving focus on Covid preventive measures,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has failed to involve people with the Golden Jubilee celebration programmes. “They’re holding various events in the name of the Golden Jubilee only to appease their foreign masters.”
BNP balms govt for virus surge
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the coronavirus transmission rate is increasing alarmingly in Bangladesh due to the government’s “failure” to take necessary measures to tackle it.
“Coronavirus has now been spreading fast, though the Prime Minister was awarded for containing it. The virus cases are increasing again as the government has not done all the necessary works to control it,” he said.
Also read: Media being regulated with various laws: Fakhrul
The BNP leader came up with the remarks at a discussion programme arranged by pro-BNP student leaders of Ducsu and All Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s at the Jatiya Press Club, marking March 24 a ‘black day’ as military ruler HM Ershad grabbed power in a coup on that day in 1982.
Fakhrul said the Covid-infected people are struggling for treatment due to the crisis of ICU beds in hospitals. ”Why has such a crisis has been created? What have you (govt) done over the last one year?”
He also said people are not wearing masks and maintaining health safety rules as the government could not motivate them to do so through raising awareness.
"I went to Singapore for treatment a few days ago where people are not asked to wear masks. All wear masks there as they know they’ve to face a $500 fine for not using masks,” Fakhrul said.
He regretted that the people in Bangladesh are showing apathy to use the mask as the government has “failed” to make them aware of its importance through an effective campaign.
Also read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
The BNP leader said there are various speculations about the coronavirus vaccine. "But we’ve never said anything against the vaccine. We’re surely in favour of it as we know this virus can’t be prevented without the vaccine.”
About the recent communal attack in Sunamganj's Shalla upazila, he said the communal harmony has been ruined through the incident.
He slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for blaming BNP for the attack even after a Jubo League leader was arrested in connection with the incident.
“The communal riots and attacks and the destruction of communal harmony all these happened during the rule of Awami League,” Fakhrul claimed.
Voicing concern over the deadly fire incident in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp, it has become difficult for a country like Bangladesh to keep 12 lakh Rohingyas and feed them and keep them well.
He said their party has long been urging the government to resolve the problem, but the government is not sincere about it.
Also read:Govt celebrating Golden Jubilee without people: Fakhrul
Fakhrul urged the government to intensify its diplomatic efforts for sending Rohingyas back to their motherland in Myanmar.
BNP demands prompt probe into Rohingya camp fire
BNP on Tuesday demanded a speedy investigation into the deadly fire incident in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp.
In a statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also urged the government to make public the investigation report as early as possible.
He also urged the government to take effective steps quickly for sending Rohingyas to their motherland in Myanmar.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
Fakhrul called upon the government and international organisations to come forward with necessary cooperation for the rehabilitation of the fire-affected people who are now staying under the open sky losing their homes and valuables.
He slammed the government for what he said its failure to take any visible step over the last three and a half years to repatriate Rohingyas who left Myanmar in the face of persecution and mass killing.
Also read: Fire at Rohingya camp caused 'enormous devastation': UNICEF
The BNP leader expressed deep shock and sorrow over the casualties in the fire incident.
He prayed for the salvation of those who died in fire and conveyed sympathy to those who received burn injuries and loss valuables in the fire.
Also read: Fire breaks out at Rohingya camp in Ukhiya
Meanwhile, the bodies of 11 people, including that of three women and two children, were retrieved from the debris after a fire swept through Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Monday.
Some 9,300 shanties, 136 learning centers and a police barrack were burnt into ashes, affecting over 45,000 people by the fire.