United News of Bangladesh

National Krishok Shakti formally launched as the farmers' wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), alongside the announcement of its partial central convening committee aimed at working for farmers' rights. Saeed Ujjwal was named convener, while agriculturist Ghulam Mortuza Selim was appointed member secretary. Nafiul Islam was made chief organiser. Advocate Fakhruddin Ahmed Zaki and Md Abdul Aziz were appointed senior joint conveners, while Mojibur Rahman Khokon and Md Rakibul Hasan Rana were made senior joint member secretaries. The organisation was launched at a farmers' rally held at Togorai Hat High School in Kurigram Sadar on Thursday, a venue associated with Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam announced the partial committee at the event. The rally was chaired by Kurigram-2 MP and NCP Joint Convener Dr Atik Mujahid and moderated by Ghulam Mortuza Selim. NCP Member Secretary and MP Akhtar Hossain addressed the gathering as the chief speaker. Mother of July martyr Rajib, Jannatul Ferdous, and July movement participant Ariful Islam also spoke at the programme. Reading out the organisation's declaration, Convener Saeed Ujjwal said National Krishok Shakti would move forward with the slogan "Krishoker Shokti, Jatiyo Mukti" (Farmers' Strength, National Liberation). He said farmers are not merely food producers but also the foundation of Bangladesh's economy and one of the country's principal political forces. Referring to the Indigo Revolt, the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion, Titumir's Bamboo Fort movement, the Tonk Movement, the Krishak Praja Party, the Tebhaga Movement and Maulana Bhashani's peasant politics, he said these historical struggles centred on land ownership, production rights and farmers' dignity in the state. However, he said that after independence, farmers were gradually pushed away from the centre of politics and confined only to production. Ujjwal said responsibility for ensuring the country's food security rests with farmers, yet they have no effective representation in formulating agricultural, market, pricing or land policies. He further said Bangladesh's economy stands on three major labour forces, the labour of farmers in the fields, the labour of migrant workers, most of whom are farmers' sons, and the labour of garment workers, many of whom are farmers' daughters. These three groups, he said, are the principal pillars of foreign exchange earnings, food security and the national economy, yet rural farming communities remain among the most neglected in state policies and political power structures. At the rally, Member Secretary Ghulam Mortuza Selim presented a 14-point Farmers' Rights Charter, calling for constitutional recognition of farmers as a political community and national force, effective political representation at national and local levels, and fair pricing for agricultural products based on production costs, labour and reasonable profit. The charter also demanded direct government procurement of farm produce, effective measures against market syndicates and middlemen, universal agricultural insurance to compensate for climate-related losses, region-based agricultural policies covering haor, coastal, char, hill, Barind and floodplain areas, and stronger protection of indigenous seeds to reduce dependence on multinational companies. It further called for affordable access to quality seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, electricity, diesel and agricultural machinery, strict action against adulterated farm inputs, establishment of modern cold storage facilities, warehouses, collection centres and processing units, and a state-supported marketing system enabling farmers to sell directly in the market.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rakibul Islam Rakib on Friday said JCD and its supporters would remain united until the Awami League is brought to justice for its alleged wrongdoings. He made the remarks while addressing a rally in the capital's Jatrabari area marking "July 17 Jatrabari Resistance Day." Rakib alleged that the Awami League has "nothing left to do except spread falsehoods on social media." "As long as the Awami League is not brought to justice for its injustices, the students of the Qawmi madrasas in Jatrabari, local residents and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will remain united," he said. Recalling the July mass uprising, the JCD president said local residents had played a significant role in the success of the movement. He said he was able to remain safe with the help of local people in Jatrabari after being seriously injured during the protests. Rakib also said the observance of Resistance Day on July 17 and the subsequent programmes helped the movement move towards its ultimate success. He claimed the movement had been guided by directives from BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. The JCD president further said that despite attacks on campuses, arrests and other adversities during the movement, JCD leaders and activists continued their activities through coordination. Local BNP and JCD leaders and activists, residents and students of Qawmi madrasas attended the rally.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday took an apparent swipe at Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the party of repeatedly trying to "fish in troubled waters," while also launching a scathing attack on the Awami League during a rally marking "Jatrabari Resistance Day." Speaking at the programme in the capital's Jatrabari, Rizvi said a party that claims to practise politics in the name of religion had opposed Bangladesh's independence despite the country's overwhelming support for the Liberation War. Referring to Jamaat without naming it directly, he said, "Their politics is about fishing in troubled waters time and again. But after a while, they themselves fall into those troubled waters." Criticising former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, Rizvi alleged that Hasina could not return to politics after the bloodshed she had caused. "Fascism is in their blood. Deception and hypocrisy are their political ideology," he said. He also alleged that some television presenters and commentators were trying to make Hasina politically relevant again by praising her in talk shows after August 5. At the same rally, Gono Odhikar Parishad President and State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque claimed that some student leaders had come under the influence of "foreign forces" during the final five to seven days of the July mass uprising in 2024. He alleged that some student leaders had even stayed at the residences of individuals associated with foreign embassies.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry has become the country's largest economic pillar and can serve as the driving force for its future progress. He made the remarks while addressing the BAGMA Annual Programme-2026 as the chief guest at a city hotel in the capital. The theme of this year's conference was "RMG 360 Degree: Challenge and Opportunity." Fakhrul said the country's RMG sector began as a labour-intensive industry aimed at creating employment opportunities for a large number of people. "Today, the garment industry has become the biggest foundation of Bangladesh's economy. Its progress, reflected in newspapers and other media, shows that Bangladesh can move much further forward by building on this sector," he said. Describing Bangladeshis as highly innovative and hardworking, Fakhrul said late President Ziaur Rahman had promoted labour-intensive industries to create employment opportunities for millions of people. Referring to the country's economy, the minister said the large-scale smuggling of wealth abroad in previous years had pushed the economy into serious difficulties, making economic reconstruction one of the government's biggest challenges. He said the rebuilding process has already begun under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to Fakhrul, the recently passed national budget has incorporated new areas, including the creative economy, creating opportunities to rethink the country's economic development strategy. "If these initiatives are implemented properly, Bangladesh will move further ahead," he said. Highlighting the country's agricultural achievements, Fakhrul said Bangladesh had a population of around 75 million at the time of independence and faced a food deficit of approximately 2.8 million metric tonnes. He said although the population has now reached nearly 200 million, the food deficit has almost disappeared due to the contributions of farmers, agricultural scientists and the use of modern technology. "This success is proof of the innovative capacity of the people of Bangladesh," he added. Among others, BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell, BGBA President Md Abdul Hamid Pintu, Impress Newtex Director Nasir Uddoula representing BGMEA, foreign diplomats, entrepreneurs from leading garment manufacturing companies and senior government officials attended the conference. The programme also featured discussions on the current challenges facing the garment sector, global competition, sustainable growth and future opportunities. Speakers placed various recommendations on strengthening Bangladesh's RMG industry to address global economic challenges and ensure its continued growth.

Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee held a mass rally at the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday, demanding the implementation of the aspirations of the July uprising.  

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), held a coffin procession and solidarity rally on Friday demanding justice for the July massacre and commemorating those killed during the movement. The procession began after Friday prayers from the premises of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Dhaka University. It passed through Madhur Canteen, Mall Chattar and VC Square before ending with a brief rally at the foot of the Raju Memorial Sculpture.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday urged the government to convene a session of the proposed Constitution Reform Council in Parliament instead of pushing the country towards “political confrontation.” "If BNP wants to avoid driving the country towards conflict, it should convene the Constitution Reform Council session in Parliament, take the oath and implement the constitutional reforms in line with the July Charter by accepting the verdict of the referendum that provided its legal basis," he said. "If that is not done, we will have no option but to take to the streets," Porwar warned while responding to questions from journalists after attending a party members' (Rukon) conference at the Narsingdi Shishu Academy auditorium. Referring to the implementation of the July Charter, he said the current political crisis could be resolved through constitutional reforms based on the outcome of the referendum. Responding to a question about the possible return of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces death sentence in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 uprising, the Jamaat leader said the matter rests with the court and the government. "It is a legal issue and the government's responsibility. The government has banned the activities of her party, and it will decide the matter," he said. He alleged that the former Awami League government committed widespread atrocities during the July-August movement, including killings and other acts of violence, and said those responsible must face justice. "The wounds inflicted during that period have not yet healed. Those who committed these crimes must be tried and punished," Porwar said. He claimed the previous government had ignored constitutional principles and democratic norms and said the people had forced what he termed an "autocratic regime" to leave the country. On the political right of the Awami League, the Jamaat secretary general said it should be determined by the people rather than by any single political party. "The July mass uprising showed that the people of this country no longer accept fascist politics. The referendum has also reflected that position," he claimed. Porwar also criticised India for providing shelter to Sheikh Hasina, alleging that she continues to fuel unrest in Bangladesh from New Delhi. He further alleged that India had violated international law, prisoner extradition agreements and the Geneva Conventions by allowing "a death-row convict" to stay comfortably in New Delhi with access to all forms of modern communication and technological facilities. "This cannot be regarded as a normal situation under any circumstances," he said, without providing evidence to support the claim. The conference was presided over by Md Ibrahim Bhuiyan, organiser of Narsingdi district Jamaat. Earlier in the day, the party also organised a workshop for its district-level members.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday reaffirmed his party's commitment to implementing every provision of the July National Charter, accusing the opposition of trying to mislead the public by claiming otherwise. "We have always said that we want to amend the Constitution. We have never said that we want constitutional restructuring. BNP remains committed to implementing every provision of the July National Charter," he said while addressing a discussion marking the 6th death anniversary of former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, organised by the Emajuddin Ahmed Research Centre at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Fakhrul, also the local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, said BNP secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament based on the manifesto presented to the people during the election. "The people voted for us based on that manifesto. BNP has been entrusted with the task of running the state with a two-thirds majority. So, I do not think there is any scope for confusion on this issue," he said. Responding to recent remarks made by the opposition over the implementation of the July Charter, the BNP leader alleged that attempts were being made to mislead the public. He said all parties that jointly participated in the anti-fascist movement had signed the July Charter together and that BNP remained committed to implementing every word of it. "We have repeatedly said that we will implement every provision of the July Charter. This is our commitment," he said. However, Fakhrul said BNP had never agreed to some proposals, including a proportional representation system in the proposed upper house of Parliament. He said the Reform Commission had incorporated several recommendations without BNP's consent and said the July Charter itself clearly states that parties elected by the people will implement reforms in line with their respective election manifestos. "As we are committed to our 31-point reform agenda, we are committed to the July Charter. We will implement the Charter in the way we have committed to. It is completely wrong to say that we do not want to implement it," the BNP leader said. He also rejected criticism that BNP is opposed to reforms, saying the party itself had introduced major democratic reforms in Bangladesh. "Who introduced reforms in this country? BNP did. BNP introduced multi-party democracy after one-party rule. BNP introduced the parliamentary form of government after the presidential system. BNP also enacted the caretaker government provision," Fakhrul said. He accused the opposition of trying to exploit the legacy of the July mass uprising for political gain. "They are trying to use July merely as a tool to come to power. We do not want July to become another instrument for political power," he said. According to the BNP secretary general, the July uprising was not an isolated event but the culmination of nearly 18-19 years of struggle against what he termed fascist rule. He said BNP leaders and activists had paid a heavy price during that movement. "Nearly 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced false cases. Around 1,700 leaders and activists disappeared, and thousands were killed while fighting against fascism," he claimed. Turning to Bangladesh, Fakhrul said the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising created an opportunity to establish a truly democratic and liberal democratic state after years of authoritarian rule. He, however, acknowledged that rebuilding the country will not be easy. "The problems are complex. The accumulated problems cannot disappear overnight. We cannot fix everything instantly, but we have to move forward patiently," he said. Paying tribute to Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, the BNP leader described him as a genuine democrat, a proponent of liberal democracy, an outstanding political scientist and a great patriot. He recalled that during the anti-fascist movement, meetings were frequently held at Emajuddin's residence, where intellectuals were brought together to issue statements and formulate strategies in support of democracy.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Thursday alleged that the current government has failed to eliminate the longstanding regional and economic disparities affecting Bangladesh's northern districts. He also claimed that the government's handling of the proposed Teesta Mega Project reflected the same discriminatory approach, saying the Prime Minister's recent visit to China yielded no significant progress on the Teesta issue. Nahid made the remarks while addressing a farmers' rally as the chief guest at Togoraihat Bimukhi High School ground in Kurigram town in the afternoon. The rally was organised to mark the launch of the central committee of Jatiya Krishak Shakti, an associate body of the NCP. He alleged that the government had deliberately deprived Kurigram and the greater Rangpur region of adequate development allocations because most parliamentary seats in the northern districts are represented by opposition lawmakers. "No major budget has been allocated for this region, and it has been neglected in large-scale national development plans. We will not accept such discrimination," he said. Recalling the July mass uprising, Nahid said the people of northern Bangladesh had made significant sacrifices for democracy. "The brave son of this region, Abu Sayeed, was among the first to sacrifice his life during the July movement. People here have repeatedly exercised their democratic right to elect their representatives through struggle, yet they continue to be neglected in terms of development," he said. Criticising the government's initiatives for farmers, Nahid said the proposed farmer card programme would not adequately address the real needs of the agricultural community. "We are not opposed to the farmer card itself, but the limited financial benefits it offers are insufficient. There is also a risk of corruption in its distribution, and there is no guarantee that genuine farmers will receive the benefits instead of supporters of political organisations," he alleged. Following the rally, the NCP announced a seven-member partial central committee of its newly launched associate body, Jatiya Krishak Shakti. Among others, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Kurigram-2 MP Dr Atikur Rahman and Kurigram district NCP Convener Mukul Mia also addressed the programme. The speakers called for an end to regional disparities in development policies and demanded measures to ensure the legitimate rights of farmers.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Choudhury on Thursday said the government is committed to eliminating the legacy of corruption and misrule across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking as the chief guest at an introductory and views-exchange meeting of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), he said the government has taken responsibility for addressing widespread governance failures and corruption. “There is misrule and corruption everywhere across the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the BNP government has taken responsibility for removing this mess,” he said. The meeting, held at the BFDC auditorium, was chaired by the corporation's Managing Director Masuma Tani. Referring to controversies surrounding previous elections of the Film Artistes' Association, the state minister said the current government did not interfere in the election process and wanted artistes to elect their representatives independently. “In the past, there were various allegations of irregularities over these elections. This time, the government ensured that artists could freely vote for candidates of their choice. As a result, there has been no controversy over the election,” he said. He added that the government remained firm in ensuring a free, fair and neutral election, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting extended all necessary support to facilitate the process. Responding to remarks by leaders of the Film Directors' Association regarding legal cases filed over elections, Yaser said the government cannot prevent anyone from seeking legal remedies. “The government is the guardian of the rule of law. However, it is for you to decide whether you want to file cases against one another,” he said. On the development of the BFDC, the state minister said the government must ensure responsible use of public funds and consider how investments can generate returns. “We are custodians of the people's money. Unlike the previous government, we cannot spend public funds recklessly and push the country toward financial distress,” he said. Citing the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, he said Bangladesh Television (BTV) acquired the broadcasting rights from FIFA at a cost of Tk 47 crore. “Through active efforts, we have already managed to recover Tk 44 crore for the national exchequer. This is a rare achievement and an unprecedented example in Bangladesh,” he said. He also alleged that the previous government had caused a loss of nearly Tk 100 crore in public funds while broadcasting an earlier FIFA World Cup. Outlining future plans for the film industry, Yasser said the government is seriously considering producing films under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to help revive the country's film sector. He said discussions with the BFDC are continuing to restore the film industry to its former glory, adding that the government remains committed to achieving that goal. The event, conducted by Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association President Shiba Shanu, was also addressed by veteran artiste Ethun Babu, JASAS central convener Helal Khan, Film Directors' Association President Shaheen Sumon, Bangladesh Film Club President Samsul Alam and Film Artistes' Association General Secretary Joy Chowdhury, among others.