Politics
May this Durga Puja bring the end of evil forces and let people prosper in an inclusive society: Sajeeb Wazed
Sajeeb Wazed, ICT Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, extended puja greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja, with a vow to eliminate the menace of communalism.
“May this Puja bring the end of evil forces and let people prosper in an inclusive and peaceful society,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Read: Guard Durga puja mandaps across the country: Quader to AL activists
He also reiterated the message of communal harmony spearheaded by Awami League’s motto: “Religion for individuals, festival for all.”
Read: Durga Puja set to begin Friday
“Wishing everyone a very happy Durga Puja,” wrote Sajeeb Wazed.
Read more: No specific security threat during Durga puja: DMP chief
BNP seeks DMP permission for Oct 28 rally in Dhaka
BNP on Saturday (October 21, 2023) took the necessary steps for securing permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to hold its planned grand rally on October 28 in front of their Nayapaltan central office.
The party submitted a letter, signed by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, to the DMP office in this regard.
Also read: Won't allow any attempt at sabotage or to stoke violence from BNP’s Oct 28 rally: IGP
Contacted, Rizvi said they sent a letter to the DMP informing the police authorities about their party’s decision to hold the grand rally on October 28. “In the letter, we mentioned that we’ll hold our programme peacefully.”
He hoped that the DMP authorities would cooperate with them in holding the rally.
Also read: Police will take decisive action against anyone attempting to incite violence during BNP's Oct 28 rally: DMP Commissioner
Earlier on Wednesday, the party announced the grand rally in the capital on October 28 to herald the 'final phase' of action and programmes in the movement to topple the current regime, thus paving the way for holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
“We’ll hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28 (Saturday). From this grand rally, our grand journey will begin,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while announcing the programme at Nayapaltan.
Also read: Stay on streets with courage just a few days to oust govt: Fakhrul
Stating that their planned grand rally is a partial programme of the final phase of the movement, Fakhrul hinted that the opposition will announce a series of action programmes on October 28. “After the grand rally, Inshallah we won’t stop until the fall of this regime,” he told invigorating opposition followers.
The BNP leader said the grand rally will be arranged as part of the simultaneous movement. “All political parties who are on the simultaneous movement will work to make this programme a success."
In conversations with Hindu community, Fakhrul insists 'return to democracy' as best bet for harmony
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged the government to take steps to avoid chaos over the election and overcome the political crisis in a peaceful manner.
Exchanging greetings with the members of the Hindu community at Dhakeshwari Central Puja Mandap, he also said democracy must be restored to establish people’s religious and all other rights.
Also read: Govt is letting big powers to make Bangladesh a battleground for their supremacy: Fakhrul
“Why is there chaos during elections? No one wants it to happen. Why should we face turmoil during the election time even after 52 years (of the country’s birth)? Why do we still need to talk about our right to vote?” the BNP leader said.
He said the nation had established a system for fair polls under a non-party and neutral caretaker government, but the ruling party has nurtured uncertainty and chaos around elections by revoking that system.
Also read: Fakhrul hopeful about success of one-point movement
“We have to come out of this crisis with united efforts in a peaceful manner. Let’s get united forgetting all conflicts, vengeance, and jealousy to turn Bangladesh into a lovely and peaceful country,” he said.
The BNP leader said Bangladesh is a country where communalism or communal incidents are manufactured, but the people themselves are not communal.
Also read: One-point movement to realise caretaker govt will be different: Fakhrul
He said people of all religions fought together during the Liberation War in 1971 and liberated the country by sacrificing their lives. “We had a goal for establishing a truly democratic and independent Bangladesh for all people regardless of their religions.”
Fakhrul said BNP has been working to implement this goal and to ensure the equal rights of people of all religions.
He urged all to remain alert so that no one can commit any excesses or create trouble in the name of religion. "We believe it is possible to protect people’s rights and avoid violence if there is democracy. That’s why we're fighting for the restoration of democracy.”
He said their party thinks it will be possible to establish the rights of all and all people will be able to live in peace if Bangladesh can be turned into a democratic state.
The BNP leader said their party believes in religious freedom for all -and even that it does not believe in the notion of religious minorities.
“We believe that everyone who lives in this country are citizens of Bangladesh and their identity is that they are Bangladeshis and they all have equal rights."
“It’s our misfortune that the country has been divided. We don’t want the politics of division as we favour the politics of unity. We believe that the emancipation of Bangladesh is possible when people will have freedom and when democracy will be established,” Fakhrul observed.
On behalf of BNP, Fakhrul visited the Dhakeswari Central Puja Mandap on the occasion of Durga Puja. Fakhrul stayed there for some time and talked to the devotees.
Later, he visited the Banani Puja Mandap and exchanged greetings with the devotees.
Sheikh Hasina is the only leader minorities can count on: Quader
Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the country's minority communities cannot find a more reliable leader than Sheikh Hasina to ensure their equal footing in Bangladesh.
“We were by your side, we are now and will be in the future,” Quader declared, directing his words to the leaders of the Hindu community while visiting the Puja-mandap at Dhakeshwari Temple in Old Dhaka on Saturday.
Also read: Conspirators getting ready before next election: Obaidul Quader
The AL leader also called for strengthening the hands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to thwart communalism in the country.
"There is no one more reliable than Sheikh Hasina in this country for the followers of Sanatan religion (Hinduism). So, the prime minister's hands must be strengthened to thwart communalism," he said.
Also read: Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is personally monitoring the situation to ensure Durga Puja passes peacefully. She briefed law enforcement agencies to discharge their duty with utmost importance.
“Previously some inauspicious events have troubled the Hindus much. We don't want to repeat this anymore. We hope Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, will be completed peacefully," he added.
Also read: Next polls will be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader
Noting that the general election is knocking at the door, AL general secretary called for unity of all to establish a harmonious society, and stressed that this can only happen under a government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina again.
"Sheikh Hasina must be kept in power to keep this spirit alive," he said.
The AL's number two said power would only change hands through elections, and elections will be held according to the constitution.
Mocking BNP leaders for repeatedly announcing deadlines, Obaidul Quader questioned, "How many days will you give? I tell you, we don't have time. On 4th of November, the largest rally in history will be held in Dhaka. I invite you to the inauguration of Metrorail (on Nov. 4)."
Rounding off his assault on the BNP, he said they never implemented any megaproject, rather 'looted the country's wealth'.
BNP trying to create instability ahead of election: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said the BNP is trying to create instability in the country ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
“They have now become a party detached from people. People have seen how they have set fire, killed people. So the people are not responding to BNP’s call in any way,” he said, while talking to reporters after exchanging views with the officials and employees of Raipur Upazila Administration in Lakshmipur on Saturday afternoon.
Also read: Govt has no bar for BNP to hold peaceful demonstrations: Home Minister
The programme was held at Raipur Upazila Parishad auditorium.
“The BNP has now threatened to bring everything to a standstill. They will terrorise again, they will kill people again. The people of this country do not like these threats. The people of this country have rejected militancy and terrorism forever,” said the minister.
Also read: Home minister bins BNP allegation on BCL-JCD clash
“So if BNP wants to do something like fire terrorism, killing people, the people will resist them, the people will give them an answer. The government has all the resources to deal with any situation,” he added.
The home minister said, “BNP’s allegations of disappearance are baseless. The aggrieved people affected by them have filed cases against BNP leaders and activists. They can.”
Also read: Nothing will be gained through conspiracy: Home Minister to BNP
Asaduzzaman also pointed to the fact that since the present government came to power, the number of puja pandals has increased every year across the country, including this year. To go with the increase, six lakh Ansar have been deployed along with police to maintain peace and order for the pandals.
Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Suraiya Jahan, the function was addressed by Lakshmipur-2 (Raipur) MP Advocate Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan and Chattogram Range DIG Nur-e-Alam Mina, among others.
AL pardons former GCC mayor Zahangir Alam
Bangladesh Awami League pardoned Jahangir Alam, former general secretary of Gazipur city unit Awami League, said a letter sent to him from the party.
The letter signed by AL's general secretary Obaidul Quader said the party's central executive committee announces general forgiveness to the applicants who sought apology in condition of not involving any anti-ideology and anti-organisation activities in the future.
Read: AL advisory council member Fakhrul Islam Munshi no more
As per the party policy, you (Jahangir Alam) are also pardoned, read the letter.
However, any anti-ideology or anti-organisation activities in the future will be considered unforgivable, it said.
Read: ‘I’ve always known who I am, but I was also raised by a mother who had lost everything overnight’
Earlier, Jahangir, former mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, was first expelled from the party in November 2021 after a video clip of him making derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and expressing doubts about the numbers of martyrs in the Liberation War went viral in social media.
BNP's road march to drown in Jamuna or Buriganga: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said vultures have turned their attention on the country when it is moving forward.
“The country has to be protected from these vultures and the crows of politics,” he said while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of the cultural competition organised by Bangabandhu Shishu-Kishor Mela of Chattogram North District at Shilpakala Academy Auditorium in the port city of Chattogram on Saturday afternoon.
Also read: BNP should take part in elections if it's a responsible party: Hasan Mahmud
"When Ziaur Rahman formed the BNP, leaders of different parties gathered like crows to accept the evil. They are the crows of politics. When the eyes of foreign vultures have fallen on the country, the crows of politics have become their allies,” said Hasan, also Awami League Joint General Secretary.
"BNP will start the journey to topple the government on October 28, on December 10 last year, it wanted to start the journey to topple the government from front of the Nayapaltan office, it died in the cattle market of Golapbagh,” he added.
Also read: BNP shown red flag by people: Hasan Mahmud
"This time too, the BNP will start its journey to topple the government and drown in the Jamuna or Buriganga river. And if you do it in Chattogram, it will be submerged in the Karnaphuli River or the Bay of Bengal. In fact, the BNP wants to have a big picnic on the 28. We will send them from the picnic to Buriganga for a boat race,” said the AL leader.
"Awami League is a party of people and streets. Awami League was born to fight against misrule. We fought against the dictatorship by being in the opposition for 21 years. We know how to deal with who is on the streets,” said the minister.
Also read: ‘BNP now an old car with a weak battery’: Hasan Mahmud
The information minister once again criticised the BNP on the Palestinian issue. Hasan said, “BNP does not talk about the idea that 'vultures' can be unhappy when the whole world is protesting against crimes against humanity every day, including the killing of children in Palestine, the killing of 800 people in hospital bombings, the killing of 18 people by attacking churches. Even if the 'vultures' loot all the wealth of the country, BNP will remain silent. They dream of running the country again. The country cannot be handed over to them. We have to protect the country from them.”
Bangabandhu Shishu-Kishor Mela Central Committee General Secretary Sheikh Moniruzzaman Liton, Vice President Engineer Golam Nowsher Ali, Chattogram North District Adviser Mohammad Akhter Hossain Khan, among others, addressed the function as special guests.
BNP-Jamaat won't be allowed to resort to anarchy in name of movement: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday warned against any sort of anarchy and vandalism in the name of movement, saying her government will not tolerate destructive activities.
Referring to the street protests by BNP-Jamaat and their allies the premier said, "Let them do their agitation programmes."
"But if they again start arson terrorism, destructive activities, if any one engages in criminal activities, we will not spare them, and that's the reality,” she declared.
The PM was addressing a Lawyers’ Grand Rally organised by Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad at historic Suhrawardy Udyan after inaugurating the newly constructed 15-storey building of Bangladesh Bar Council.
She said in the 29 years from 1975-1996 and 2001-2008 the people of Bangladesh saw no change for their betterment.
“Those in power were busy to change their own fate. They did nothing for the people of the country. The people's condition started improving only after Awami League came to power ,” she said.
Hasina, also the chief of ruling Awami League, said that she never does politics for her own gain.
“I do politics for the welfare of the people of this country,” she said.
Hasina asked the lawyers to take prompt measures for quick disposal of the cases regarding the arson terrorism from 2013-15.
“In the name of movement over 500 people including 29 police personnel were burned to death and 3225 suffered burn injuries,” she said.
She mentioned that if these culprits don't get punishment for their misdeeds they will be encouraged.
“Many of them who were underground, have now been attending BNP's rallies taking the advantage of their movement. The BNP-Jamaat men who were involved in the arson terrorism must have to face trial in Bangladesh. Take measures to hold trials against them" she said.
The prime minister said the culprits must be exposed to punishment, otherwise a culture of impunity will reign in the country again.
"We the people who have lost their near and dear ones know well the pain of losing own people," she said.
The PM questioned that why the culprits won't face quick trial.
“You must pay attention to that.”
In this regard, she asked the lawyers to make sure that these culprits get proper punishment.
She also said military dictator Ziaur Rahman had killed hundreds of freedom fighter military officials in the name of farcical trials.
Hasina said that there must be an end to the absence of justice. "Let us ensure that people get their justice."
“It is our aim that people of the country will get justice, and will have their legal assistance,” she said.
She also called for keeping vigil so that there must not be any hindrance in establishing rule of law in the country.
Hasina said that she returned to the country in 1981 to free the people from oppression and deprivation and upgrade their lives.
She announced a contribution of Tk 30 crore from the Prime Minister's Welfare Fund to the Bar Council's Benevolent Fund.
Convener of Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, member secretary of Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Bangladesh Bar Council chairman Abu Mohammad Ami Uddin, Vice-Chairman Syed Rezaur Rahman, Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate Najibullah Hiru and Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar also spoke at the rally.
The prime minister unveiled the cover of a book titled ‘ Bangabandhu’s Legal Philosophy’ published by the Law Ministry.
A video documentary on various features of the newly opened Bangladesh Bar Council building was screened at the programme.
The PM also witnessed a cultural programme organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Stay on streets with courage just a few days to oust govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged the party rank and file to take to the streets with courage just for a few days after the Durga Puja in order to oust the government.
Speaking at a seminar on agriculture, he also slammed the prime minister for branding BNP as a terrorist party, and said Awami League is the godfather of terrorism.
"I would like to say everyone should come out on the streets...let's take to the streets with courage during the next few days, not for a month,” the BNP leader said.
He urged their party leaders and activists not to be worried about the ruling party’s threats and attacks since they have been facing such repression for one and a half decades.
“Several thousand of our people have been killed, many people have been disappeared, and 50 lakh people have been implicated in false cases in 15 years,” the BNP leader said.
Read: AL leaders started fleeing country: Rizvi
He said the government arrested 77 BNP leaders and activists in the capital just on Thursday.
“We have to overcome this situation as the existence of the nation, the country and its independence will be at stake if the current regime can’t be removed," he said.
Fakhrul expressed hope for the success of the movement as the people from all walks of life and all opposition parties, left and right, have united and taken a position that no fair election can be held under the current government.
Read: AL obstructing BNP from joining polls for an easy victory: Fakhrul
"For the last time I would like to ask the government: you please resign peacefully with dignity and put power in the hands of a neutral and non-partisan government,” he said.
“Sonali Dal”, (Golden Panel) an organisation of BNP-supported teachers of Bangladesh Agricultural University arranged the seminar at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Fakhrul alleged that the people are going through serious ordeals due to unusual hikes in prices of daily essentials.
“The rise in commodity prices is unprecedented. Prices have increased somewhat in all countries. But the increase in Bangladesh is incredible and unprecedented. There are many reasons behind this. But the main reason is lack of accountability of the government,” he said.
He said the government is procuring new vehicles for the DCs and UNOs while the people cannot buy necessary food items and vegetables.
Read: Awami League has lost the country and also foreigners: Amir Khasru
The BNP leader said the country’s people have lost their rights to vote and get justice as the government has established a reign of terror.
“She (Hasina) said yesterday (Thursday) BNP is a terrorist party. What are you if the BNP a terrorist party? You are the godfather father of terrorism. You have turned this country into a terrorist state. You want to stay in power by establishing a reign of terror by using the state machinery only to stay in power,” he said.
ALPP to sit in meeting Sunday
Bangladesh Awami League's Parliamentary Party (ALPP) will sit in a meeting on Sunday in the closing days of the 11th parliament ahead of the next general election.
The 8th meeting of ALPP during the current parliament will be held at 6:00pm at the meeting room of the ruling party parliamentary body in the National Parliament Building, said a press release on Friday.
Prime Minister and ALPP Chief Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting.
Read: ALPP decides to let Hasina decide
ALPP Secretary and Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury requested all ruling party lawmakers to attend the meeting in time.
In February last, the last meeting of the AL parliamentary body was held where the decision was taken over the party’s candidate for the presidential election. In that meeting, all the AL lawmakers gave the absolute power to AL President Sheikh Hasina to pick its presidential candidate.
Later, Mohammed Shahabuddin won the presidential election unopposed, getting nomination from the ruling party.
Read more: ALPP to hold meeting today