United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member  Goyeshwar Chandra Roy on Thursday said ensuring people’s rights and empowering them are essential to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and counter conspiracies. “Strengthening the hands of any particular leader does not guarantee the country’s sovereignty. We must first strengthen the hands of the people, who take to the streets when necessary and confront conspiracies,” he said. He made the remarks at a discussion arranged by the Progressive Nationalist Party (PNP) at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the party’s founding anniversary. The BNP lawmaker said the July-August mass uprising of 2024 demonstrated how political parties with different ideologies could unite for the sake of the country. He said “We failed to bring ordinary people and students into the 17-year movement against the previous ousted government as they were fighting on their own. But the situation changed when students and the public took to the streets.” He defended BNP’s strategy of joint movements, saying the 31-point reform proposal was developed through consultations with parties involved in the movement against the ousted Awami League government. He also said a country could not be governed solely through religion, stressing that religion and state governance were separate matters. “Religion is one thing, and running the state is another. A country cannot survive on religion alone. National identity is built on many elements, including our culture, language, heritage, the Liberation War and geographical boundaries,” he said. Goyeshwar said Bangladesh’s national identity had been shaped by various elements, including its language, culture, heritage, the Liberation War and geographical boundaries. He credited BNP founder President Ziaur Rahman with fostering a distinct Bangladeshi national identity by bringing these elements together.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday instructed BNP reserved seat MP Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti to step down. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mostafa Zulfiquar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu) disclosed the matter  at noon. The development came following the demolition of the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur, Dhaka, last Thursday. The health centre was attacked, vandalised and looted at midnight, with allegations surfacing of involvement of leaders and activists of the ruling party at different levels.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has dissolved the 51-member convening committee of its Dhaka North city unit. The party announced the decision in a press release signed by its Assistant Office Secretary Muhammad Munir Hossain on Wednesday. A new committee for the Dhaka North city unit will be announced soon, according to the release. The dissolved committee was led by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque as convener and Md Mostafa Zaman as member secretary.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon on Wednesday accused opposition political parties of following the path of the ousted government, saying a recent incident was used to overshadow Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s “successful” visit to New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. “The opposition is walking the path of the ousted authoritarian regime. Leaders of opposition political parties are speaking in the same vein as the fugitive government used to speak,” he said. Rumon made the remarks while addressing a press conference held at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon in the afternoon on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent US visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He also said an incident was brought to the forefront of public discussion in the country to overshadow the success of the Prime Minister’s New York visit, apparently referring to the attack on the studio of content creator Salman Mohammad Muqtadir and other establishments in New Gini Housing Society in the city’s ECB Chattar area. “When the Prime Minister was returning after attending the UN General Assembly and earning praise for the country, such an incident was created, causing discussions on the success of the visit to be pushed into the background,” Rumon said. Rumon said the Prime Minister took part in various programmes from 7:30am to 11:00pm during his New York visit, with his engagements continuing until midnight on some days. “There was hardly any opportunity to move around outside the scheduled programmes during the visit,” he said. “We thought that after returning home, there would be discussions on the Prime Minister’s successful visit and you would hold talk shows. But then another incident was created. As a result, the discussion that was supposed to take place about the success of the Prime Minister’s visit was pushed into the background. Everywhere, only one issue was discussed,” the additional press secretary said. He said a “fascist government” had kept the country under its control for the past 15 years. He said the Prime Minister is trying to build a humane Bangladesh and take the country from that “ghostly darkness” towards the light. Against this backdrop, Rumon urged everyone to cooperate with the government. He said if someone’s hands and legs are tied while swimming, it will be impossible for that person to cross a river. “Similarly, if a government is asked to work with its hands and legs tied, no government can pass the test,” he said. “We want cooperation. We are repeatedly calling upon you to provide cooperation. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants to build a beautiful and successful Bangladesh. Everyone’s cooperation is needed for this,” the additional press secretary said. PM’s Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, PM’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly Speechwriter Mahfuzur Rahman, and Deputy Press Secretaries Hasan Shiplu and Md Suzauddhowla were present at the press conference.  

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday expressed surprise that a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) footpath eviction drive in his constituency was launched without consulting him, saying alternative arrangements should be made for hawkers before such operations. “I am surprised that such a step was taken without informing the local Member of Parliament. I should have been engaged as the local MP in the process to find out an effective solution before launching the footpath clearing drive in the Mirpur area. I, too, have a responsibility in this matter, and I could have been involved,” he said on his verified Facebook page. Shafiqur said an optimal and effective solution could have been found through mutual consultation had he been involved. “But that path was not followed,” he said. He made the remark after a clash broke out between hawkers and DNCC staff during an eviction drive at Mirpur-10, leaving several people injured, two DNCC dump trucks and three bulldozers damaged. The clash took place around Hope Market between Mirpur-13 and Mirpur-10 at about 10:30am. The Jamaat chief said Dhaka-15 is an important constituency where people elected him with their valuable votes. He said measures concerning the people’s convenience and inconvenience could have been implemented in a more coordinated manner if the local MP had been consulted. “Instead of isolated measures, coordinated, well-planned and sustainable steps should be taken that will be beneficial for all concerned. This is the demand of the time,” Shafiqur said. He said alternative arrangements should be ensured for the small traders (footpath vendors) before conducting any eviction drive. “It should also be considered whether any alternative arrangement has been made for the small traders concerned,” he said. The opposition leader said measures should be taken based on reality so that small traders are not unnecessarily affected while ensuring that footpaths remain unobstructed and usable for the general people. He also alleged that a group of dishonest people have been collecting regular extortion from the small traders for months and allowing them to conduct business there. “They collect extortion on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. This is highly condemnable. Ultimately, the financial burden falls on ordinary consumers and the people,” Shafiqur said. He urged everyone to remain calm for the time being. “Wherever there is a problem, there is also a way to resolve it. But the solution must be impartial, realistic and humane—not by unnecessarily causing harm to anyone,” he said. “There is no place for the allies of fascism,” said the opposition leader.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amanullah Aman on Tuesday urged people to hand over what he described as fugitive “fascists” and those allegedly conspiring against the country to law enforcement agencies if they are found anywhere. “As the country is moving towards development, a planned conspiracy by the fascists has begun. Wherever you see or find the fugitive fascists who are hatching conspiracies, hand them over to the law enforcement agencies,” he said. Aman, however, cautioned against taking the law into their own hands. He was speaking at a rally and procession organised by the Jatiyatabadi Matsyajibi Dal in protest against “planned violence to destabilise the country” in front of the BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan. The BNP leader said those who had fled the country are now saying they will return home. “But history shows that no fugitive fascist has ever been able to return. They too will never be able to return,” he said. He said BNP will remain on the streets and its leaders and activists are engaged in serving the people. “The Prime Minister has said that every leader and activist of BNP’s affiliated and associate organisations must remain like vigilant sentinels in every field and locality, village and town, neighbourhood, ward, union and police station across Bangladesh so that no one can attack democracy or deliberately create anarchy,” Aman said. He said those who had killed thousands of students and members of the public have no place in Bangladesh. “So, everyone must remain united and work together in unison,” he said. The BNP leader said an “unethical vote thief” who had allegedly become prime minister through an election in which votes were cast at night had remained in power like a “huge boulder”, and the people did not accept that government. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has restored human rights that had been trampled on and has created an environment where people could speak freely. "Tarique Rahman has opened it up today and given all parties the right to speak,” he said. The BNP leader urged party leaders and activists to follow the Prime Minister’s resolve, patience and love for the country.

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said those involved in acts of sabotage to destabilise the country will be dealt with legally, ruling out street confrontation in the name of political activities. “We will not engage in street clashes in the name of politically confronting them, as was done in the past. They will be dealt with legally,” he said while talking to reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at their graves at Zia Udyan in the capital, marking the 33rd founding anniversary of Zia Mancha. Gayeshwar, along with leaders and activists of the organisation, offered prayers and laid floral tributes at the graves. He said BNP leaders and activists at all levels remain alert, on behalf of the country’s people, to resist such activities. Referring to August 5, 2024, the BNP leader said fascism has gone, and its leadership has gone. “But many people who carry the characteristics of fascism remain in Bangladesh.” He said people are occasionally seeing signs of such activities, including flash processions in different places in the early morning and incidents involving the explosion of crude bombs, which have caused concern among people across the country. “We, the nationalist forces, and our leaders and activists at all levels have remained alert on behalf of the people. Under no circumstances will we allow a situation to be created in Bangladesh that disrupts democracy,” Gayeshwar said. He said the government will also take a firm stance to ensure the security of people and their property. “This is not about protecting BNP leaders and activists. Those who are working secretly in various ways and engaging in acts of sabotage as accomplices of fascism have to be restrained by the administration, brought under the law and brought to justice, and the safety of the people must be ensured,” he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Monday alleged that violence is increasing as the BNP government is seeking to establish control across the country through what he described as a ‘fascist’ approach. “After coming to power, BNP is shamelessly taking control and authority through syndicates in metropolitan areas, districts, upazilas, unions and villages, conspiring to bring the entire country under their grip through a fascist approach. That is why violence is increasing in the country,” he said. Porwar made these remarks at an emergency briefing on the deteriorating law and order situation at Jamaat’s central office at the Moghbazar area in the capital. He alleged that the law and order situation had deteriorated sharply during the government’s seven months in office, while the Home Minister remained silent despite concerns raised by political parties and civil society. “Government party leaders and ministers are patronising all crimes,” he alleged, adding that criminals were getting opportunities because they were receiving signals from the higher levels of the government. Porwar alleged that government supporters were creating unrest over issues including fertiliser distribution, allowances for imams and khatibs and distribution of farmers’ family cards. He also alleged political bias in the recruitment of primary school teachers, claiming that candidates affiliated with Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal were being selected while others were being denied appointment letters in the name of verification. He claimed the process was aimed at appointing people affiliated with the BNP as polling and presiding officers in the next election. Porwar also accused reserved women MPs of interfering in the activities of elected MPs, alleging that development allocations were being made through their DO letters by rejecting those issued by elected lawmakers. Referring to recent incidents, he mentioned the reported attack and vandalism at Radda health centre in Mirpur and an attack on content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio in the ECB area. Porwar demanded the immediate arrest and speedy trial of those involved in the attacks and their patrons and ensuring an impartial investigation to examine the role of the local administration and law enforcement agencies during the incident.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday said genuine leaders and activists of BNP and its various affiliated organisations are not involved in extortion, violence, land grabbing or any kind of wrongdoing. “We, who worked with Shaheed Zia, worked with Begum Khaleda Zia and are now working with Tarique Rahman, can say with our hands on our hearts that we have never been involved in any wrongdoing, injustice, extortion or land grabbing,” he said. “Our working-class people are not involved either. The genuine leaders and activists of BNP’s various affiliated organisations are not involved in such activities,” he added. Nazrul was speaking at a protest rally organised by  Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal at Nayapaltan in the capital in the afternoon. He said a genuine activist of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman cannot be a criminal, extortionist, land grabber or terrorist. “If anyone is involved in such activities, he is not BNP. He is not an activist of Shaheed Zia, not a worker of Khaleda Zia and not a worker of Tarique Rahman,” he said. “If anyone gets an opportunity to criticise BNP because of the activities of a few individuals, we will demand that the government take strict action against those involved in such activities,” Nazrul said. He said those conspiring against the country and the government are already active while those rejected by the people would naturally try to increase people’s suffering. “Those whom the people rejected in the election may also be dissatisfied. But the ordinary people of this country have given our young leader Tarique Rahman an opportunity to work for the country,” he said. “Tarique Rahman is working tirelessly. They want to give Prime Minister Tarique Rahman an opportunity. He is trying. Let us see whether, by the grace of Allah, he succeeds,” Nazrul said. He said the people would not like anyone to create obstacles to Tarique Rahman’s efforts to succeed. “It has only been six to seven months. We have elected a government for five years. Only one-tenth of its term has passed. Is it already time to judge whether this government has succeeded or failed? The time has not yet come to make such a judgment,” he said. Central leaders of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, leaders of its Dhaka city north and south units, leaders of various thanas and wards under the two city units, and leaders of different trade unions were present at the rally.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Monday said restoring law and order in the country would not be possible as long as Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed remains in office as he has “failed to fulfill his responsibilities”. “We believe he has already failed. If a person has failed, he cannot and should not remain in charge,” Nahid said at a press briefing following a meeting at the party office in the capital. He said the Home Minister should step down to set an example of accountability within the government. “We have already seen a few reshuffles in the cabinet. So, now he should be removed. An example needs to be set that if someone fails in their duties, they must step down and make way for a successor,” he said. “This will send a message to everyone including the government officials working under him,” he added. Nahid accused the government of failing to rein in its party activists. Referring to the recent demolition of the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur and the attack on content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio, he said the incidents reflected the deteriorating law and order situation. He alleged that law enforcement agencies remained inactive during the attacks, raising questions about the government's ability to ensure public safety. “The government had promised that the law and order situation would improve after an elected government came to power. But the situation has deteriorated further,” he said. The NCP leader also accused the government of politicising public recruitment, citing the exclusion of candidates from the primary school teacher recruitment process following police verification. He said qualified candidates should not be disqualified without specific evidence of their involvement in criminal or anti-state activities. Nahid said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent address to the United Nations General Assembly had failed to reflect the expectations and concerns of Bangladeshi people. He said the prime minister missed an opportunity to highlight key national concerns including the ongoing energy crisis, border killings, push-ins from India, the Rohingya crisis and the implementation of the Teesta project. On constitutional reforms, Nahid rejected the government's initiative to form a parliamentary committee to amend the Constitution, arguing that fundamental reforms could not be achieved through the regular amendment process. He called for the immediate convening of the Constitution Reform Council to implement the July National Charter, warning that the NCP would continue its programmes and move towards tougher action if the government fails to do so. Nahid also expressed concern over the proposed Cyber Security Act, alleging that it could curtail freedom of expression and be used to suppress criticism of the government. On the upcoming local government elections, he said the NCP would contest independently and support candidates committed to combating extortion, terrorism and land grabbing. Senior party leaders Akhter Hossen, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Nasiruddin Patwari, among others, were also present at the meeting.