United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka University unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the NCP, on Friday held a “Red Card to BNPization” program, accusing the government of politicizing primary school teacher recruitment and depriving qualified candidates of jobs in the name of police verification. The human chain program was held at Raju Memorial Sculpture on Dhaka University campus around 7:30pm. The protesters demanded an end to political discrimination in public recruitment, an impartial investigation into allegations of recruitment irregularities, reinstatement of candidates whose appointments were cancelled following verification, and a transparent, merit-based recruitment process. Addressing the program, Kurratul Ain Kaniz, vice-president of the Shamsun Nahar Hall Students’ Union, said meritorious young jobseekers had sacrificed their lives during the 2024 mass uprising, but were now being subjected to harassment and facing obstacles in the recruitment process. “After being elected, the BNP government is now harassing those meritorious jobseekers and obstructing their recruitment process. We strongly condemn such activities,” she said. She said Chhatra Shakti and students and members of the public across the country would stand beside the affected jobseekers. “We are showing a red card to the BNP government,” she said. She also demanded the immediate reinstatement of candidates whose appointments had been cancelled despite being recommended for government jobs. “If the government betrays the students again, we will once again build a strong movement against the BNP with the participation of students, as we did during July,” she said. Hasib Al Islam, president of the DU unit of Chhatra Shakti, alleged that the BNP government was appointing its party supporters to various positions after assuming power. “Their only qualification is that they are BNP leaders or activists. No country can run this way,” he said. He also alleged that students and members of the public were being subjected to harassment in the name of police verification and demanded an immediate end to it. “The politicization of primary teacher recruitment and the exclusion of qualified candidates must be reversed immediately,” Hasib said. He said candidates who had been excluded on political grounds or because of their political ideology should be reinstated, while membership of an organization affiliated with the ruling party should not be used either to deny or grant jobs irrespective of merit. “If you do not turn back from this path of politicization, we know how to remove you from power,” he said. Hasib urged the government to follow what he described as the spirit of the July mass uprising, building a state based on equality and free from discrimination. Meanwhile, the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir also demanded an end to harassment and deprivation of candidates in government recruitment in the name of police verification, as well as merit-based recruitment and an end to political discrimination. In a statement issued Friday, it demanded an impartial investigation into allegations of political discrimination and recruitment deprivation, fair remedies for victims and a transparent, merit-based recruitment system. The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) also demanded prompt measures for candidates who have not received appointment letters for primary school teaching posts and an end to harassment in the name of verification.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Thursday alleged that the ousted Awami League was involved in a fresh conspiracy to create an unstable situation in the country through ‘anarchy and terrorism’. “You have noticed that for the past few days, that banned organisation has been involved in another conspiracy. In various ways, they want to create an unstable situation through anarchy and terrorism,” he said. The water resources minister made these remarks while addressing a protest rally arranged by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Shahbagh in the capital. He alleged that the Awami League was involved in conspiracies from inside the country and outside the country along with another force, saying BNP was continuing its struggle against what he described as two malevolent forces. “We are working and fighting for our country and continuing the development journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” Anee said. He said the government is pursuing a development plan while maintaining its political activities on the streets. The minister also criticised the parliamentary opposition, alleging that it had shown a lack of cooperation and political restraint in recent months. He claimed that political discourse had deteriorated into abusive language and alleged a lack of political etiquette and civility among the opposition. The rally followed a protest procession from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh against what the organisers described as a conspiracy to destabilise the country through planned acts of violence.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said opposition parties have the right to strongly criticise the government both inside and outside Parliament, but they should refrain from using offensive language against the prime minister. He was speaking at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the second death anniversary of journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi. Rizvi said the BNP government is facing opposition from the 11-party alliance, but the government has repeatedly made it clear that opposition parties have the right to hold programmes, speak and strongly criticise it. He said the two long marches organised by the opposition passed without any obstruction. “Let them speak. There is no problem with that. But our objection is somewhere else,” he said, adding that democracy does not mean that anyone can say anything in any manner. “Whatever you say, you should speak the truth,” the BNP leader said. He said the opposition could make different statements about any crisis, but criticised their remarks suggesting that a decision will have to be made within one or two days on how the Prime Minister will resign. “When it turns ‘tui-tukari’ [an informal and disrespectful form of address], that is the culture of fascism,” he said. Rizvi also referred to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, alleging that he had used similar language while addressing late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. He said the previous government had promoted a culture in which opposition parties were portrayed as having no right to exist politically or speak, while the media was controlled and such propaganda continued for 17 years. “Why should that be repeated?” the BNP leader said, adding that they were compelled to respond because there was a repetition of such behaviour in recent political programmes. He said strong criticism could be made while still using decent words, adding that this is what the BNP is trying to do. Citing information from intelligence agencies, Rizvi claimed that people are being instructed over the phone from a neighbouring country to collect bombs from specific locations, take photos after exploding those and send the photos to those giving the instructions in exchange for payment. He underscored the need for unity among political forces on certain issues not only to protect the democratic process but also to prevent a recurrence of what he called fascism. “If fascism returns, forget democracy; the state itself will not remain,” he said.  

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday alleged that “covert forces” inside the country are supporting what he described as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s conspiracy to destabilise Bangladesh. “The fugitive fascist is trying to destabilise the country by pulling the strings from India, while the covert and dormant forces inside the country are fanning the flames,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks at a protest rally and procession organised by Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the afternoon. The programme was organised against what the organisers described as planned violence and arson in the country. Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani presided over the rally. Rizvi said the BNP’s struggle for democracy over the past 17 years was led by Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Describing the BNP as a party of the people, he said it can take to the streets against injustice, oppression, irregularities, violence and attempts to destabilise the country, and demonstrate that its strength lies with the people. Referring to protests over rising fuel and gas prices, Rizvi questioned how the opposition will ensure adequate supplies of gas and fuel. He questioned whether opposition leaders who are making “big statements”, spreading propaganda and making what he called false allegations against BNP leaders and the government are following international developments and research. “If fuel and gas are not available in any way, the government is managing with whatever we can produce and whatever can be obtained from the eastern countries,” Rizvi said. “But you are saying, ‘everything is gone, everything is finished, the BNP government can do nothing’,” he said. Rizvi said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has indicated that the economy under the Tarique Rahman government is showing signs of improvement. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for 5-6 days to attend the UN General Assembly with a 35-member delegation, Rizvi said the brief visit demonstrated the government’s efforts to manage the crisis and protect the economy. “Does not this make you realise how sincerely this government is working to deal with the crisis, how it is handling the crisis and how it is saving money to protect the country’s economy?” he said. The BNP leader said the BNP government, led by Tarique Rahman, is seeking to increase the country’s resources and capabilities. He urged people to remain alert to those allegedly involved in planned acts of violence, including arson attacks on vehicles at Madhya Badda, Kafrul, Uttara, Mirpur and Shahbagh in the capital. Rizvi said the people of Bangladesh have always foiled conspiracies and helped tear apart the web of conspiracies to bring out the light of truth. BNP Vice Chairman and Barkat Ullah Bulu, MP, Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad, Assistant Economic Affairs Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Sumon, Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Vice President Fakhrul Islam Robin, central leaders Dr Zahid, Rafiqul Islam, Nazmul Hasan, Masum Billah, Zahir Uddin Tuhin and Sheikh Farid, among others, were present at the procession. Leaders and activists of the Dhaka North and South city units of Swechchhasebak Dal also took part in the protest procession.

A local Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal leader died after falling ill during a protest procession in Barishal city on Tuesday, organised as part of a BNP programme against what the party described as attempts to destabilise the country through planned violence. The deceased was identified as GM Monir, 55, a resident of the Jor Mosque area of Bhatikhana in the city. He was a joint general secretary of Barishal city Jubo Dal. Monir complained of chest pain fell ill while taking part in the procession and later died while undergoing treatment at Barishal General Hospital in the afternoon. Meanwhile, BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep shock and sorrow at his sudden death. In a condolence message, he prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.      

Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna on Tuesday demanded the immediate arrest of National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, accusing him of being the “main perpetrator” behind crude bomb explosions across the capital. Citing Nasiruddin’s remark that there would be no crude bomb blasts if the 11-party alliance’s demands were met, he said, “His statement means they are carrying out the crude bomb explosions. I demand his arrest as soon as possible.” Munna made the demand at a rally organised ahead of a protest procession by Dhaka South City Jubo Dal in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the afternoon. The programme was organised to protest against what the party alleged a planned attempt to destabilise the country through acts of violence. After the rally, Jubo Dal leaders and activists brought out a procession from Nayapaltan. The procession passed through Kakrail and the Nightingale intersection. Munna also blamed Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar for the arson incident at Rajshahi Railway Station and demanded his arrest. Recent reports said RU students set fire to railway tracks and vandalised the station following the alleged assault of a university student, with Ammar leading the students’ protest. The Jubo Dal chief also accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of secretly colluding with the Awami League, as it allegedly did in the past, and attempting to repeat what he called the party’s “Munafiqi” of 1996. He also demanded a proper investigation into the recovery of the body of the second wife of lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam, an expelled Jamaat leader.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said the rhetoric coming from some opposition parties now echoes the voice of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, which he described as the “voice of fascism.” “The echo and voice that we are hearing in the opposition’s statements are Sheikh Hasina’s voice. It is the voice of fascism. It is the voice of the Awami League. There is no tune of democracy, peace or coexistence in that voice,” he said, referring to a leader’s remarks about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally and procession organised by Dhaka North City BNP against what it described as planned acts of violence aimed at destabilising the country. The rally was held in front of Polwell Market adjacent to Uttara Abdullahpur, followed by a procession that ended at Jashimuddin intersection in Uttara. “For some reason, it seems to me that the germ of fascism, the Awami fascism that had entered their blood, is now present in some opposition parties in our country,” he said reffering to opposition. Rizvi alleged that some opposition forces now wanted to come to power immediately. “What has happened that you have to come to power right now?” he asked. Referring to the 11-party alliance, he said one of its young leaders, who is now involved in opposition politics in parliament, had said that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman would have to decide how to leave power. “Is Tarique Rahman clinging to power like Sheikh Hasina? Did Tarique Rahman come to power by force through a rigged police force and other law enforcement agencies in the Feb 12 election?” Rizvi asked. He said the leader concerned had been a young student leader and had participated in the movement, but added that his present rhetoric sounded like Sheikh Hasina’s. He questioned the opposition’s demands over fuel prices, extortion and rising commodity prices. “You are talking about the increase in fuel prices. Then give an alternative proposal. You are saying there is extortion and prices of essential commodities are rising. Then give a proposal on how these should be controlled,” he said. Rizvi said that while different programmes and long marches are being organised, cocktail explosions and arson attacks are taking place in different parts of Dhaka. “Whom are you inviting?” he asked. Rizvi warned that if what he called Sheikh Hasina’s “Pharaoh-like rule” returned, those currently carrying out such activities would not be spared either. “If Sheikh Hasina’s Pharaoh-like rule returns again, will you be spared? None of you will be spared. Through the activities you are carrying out, you are again seeking the resurgence of Lady Pharaoh Sheikh Hasina,” he said. He accused the opposition of spreading falsehood and propaganda against the prime minister and government in the name of political programmes. “You are saying false things, using dirty language and spreading propaganda against the prime minister and the government. You are telling such lies that it is not the language of democracy. It is never the language of a civilised society,” he said. Rizvi said democracy is the rule and politics of civilised people. “If that politics becomes ugly, filled with lies, propaganda and defamatory statements, it can never be a fitting condition for democracy,” he said. At the programme, Dhaka North City BNP Member Secretary Mostafa Zaman was present as the chief speaker. The programme was presided over by SM Jahangir Hossain, MP for Dhaka-18 constituency and joint convener of Dhaka North City BNP.

Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan on Tuesday demanded that National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary be arrested and put on remand to determine who is behind the recent arson attacks on buses and trains and crude bomb blasts. He made the demand at a discussion titled “Role of the Government and Opposition in Establishing a Democratic State” organised by the Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote at the Jatiya Press Club. Referring to a recent comment by Nasiruddin, Rashed said the NCP leader had claimed that there would be no more crude bomb blasts if their demands were met. “He made the statement. If he is arrested and taken on remand for questioning, the truth will come out about who is involved in these crude bomb explosions and the arson attacks on buses and trains,” he said. Criticising the role of opposition parties, the PM’s political assistant alleged that they are acting together with the aim of destabilising the country. He said photos and videos are being made and posted on Facebook in what he described as a “picnic-style” long march against a government that has been in office for seven months. “On the one hand, Jamaat and NCP are announcing long march programmes, while on the other hand Awami League is taking to the streets and creating anarchy,” Rashed said. He also said the current BNP government is dealing simultaneously with two opposing political forces, describing one as “reckless” and the other as “fascist.” While addressing a procession organised by the NCP on Monday night in protest against the hike in fuel prices, Nasiruddin reportedly said if the government accepted their three main demands, there would be no more crude bomb explosions in Dhaka city.

BNP on Tuesday staged a protest procession in the capital’s Farmgate area against what it described as a plot to destabilise the country through planned acts of anarchy. The procession was led by BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Organised by the Agriculturalists Association of Bangladesh (AAB), the procession began from the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh and ended in front of the Farmgate Police Box. Several hundred agriculturists, including AAB Convener Krishibid Dr Kamruzzaman Kaiser and Member Secretary Shahadat Hossain Biplob, took part in the procession. The protesters chanted various slogans during the procession. The protesters chanted various slogans, voicing their opposition to what they described as a conspiracy to destabilise the country and carry out planned acts of anarchy.  

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that the political party now playing the role of the opposition is involved in “self-confessed violent activities” and that threats are coming from within the party. “We are now seeing fires and crude bomb explosions at different places in Dhaka. Are all of them by associates of fallen autocrat? Now statements about self-admitted extremism are coming from the political party that is now playing the role of the opposition. They are involved in self-admitted violent activities, and the threats are certainly coming from among them,” he said. You know who I am referring to, but I may not want to say it,” he added. Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Role of the Government and Opposition in Establishing a Democratic State” organised by Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote at the Jatiya Press Club’s Zahir Hossain Chowdhury Hall. He said buses were set on fire in Madhya Badda, Uttara, Mirpur and Kafrul, while fires were reported on trains. “We have seen crude bomb explosions in front of the High Court and in front of the Dhaka University’s main gate. Who are they?” he asked. Rizvi questioned the use of fuel by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance during its recent long march to Rangpur, saying the alliance itself acknowledged taking around 1,000 vehicles while toll records showed 450 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge. “Today, our gas supply to the national grid is low and our electricity supply is also low. At a time of fuel crisis, even saving some fuel would have been useful. Why did you allow the fuel of 450 vehicles to be burned when they travelled such a long distance from Dhaka to the northern region?” he asked. Rizvi also said that some of the vehicles did not pay tolls. “They themselves admitted that they took 1,000 vehicles. Then you understand how many vehicles went. Some vehicles did not pay tolls either. Those were not included in the count,” he said. He said toll collectors at some of the five toll plazas might have refrained from collecting money out of fear because of the large number of people and vehicles. Rizvi also referred to an incident at Rajshahi Railway Station late at night two days earlier, alleging that the student wing of opposition what he described as “Covert” carried out unprecedented vandalism and destructive activities there. “Who will take responsibility for this?” he asked. Rizvi challenged the political parties organising long marches over rising commodity prices, extortion and corruption to organise a similar march or protest against what he described as planned acts of violence. “You are organising long marches against rising prices, extortion and corruption. Then organise a long march against this planned terrorism. Hold a protest meeting or procession against it and let us see,” he said. He accused the political parties following “two policies”, making what he described as false statements while encouraging their “golden” and “silver” youths to carry out destructive activities. He questioned the group’s political ethics, saying it claims to practise politics in the name of Islam, while Islam gives importance to morality and ethics. Referring to the Islamic concept of hypocrisy, he said, “As much as I know about Islam, I understand that a hypocrite is considered worse than a disbeliever.” Rizvi said legitimate government activities could not be obstructed through propaganda. “Gradually, our financial sector and banking activities are finding their footing again,” he said. He said the increase in reserves has enabled Bangladesh to buy gas and fuel from abroad and regain purchasing capacity. “Once the global barriers are removed, our kitchen stoves will burn, our mills and factories will become vibrant and normal activities will resume,” he said.