politics
Zia tried to turn Bangladesh into Pakistan: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni on Sunday said that Ziaur Rahman tried to take Bangladesh back to Pakistan by blocking the path of liberation that was started with the spirit of great freedom and liberation war.
The minister said these while addressing the felicitation ceremony of freedom fighters at Chandpur Shilpakala Academy organized by the Chandpur district administration on the occasion of Independence Day.
"We get proof of that when Bangabandhu's name was banned after his assassination, 'Jai Bangla' was banned, Bangabandhu's March 7 speech was banned. Freedom fighters were killed all over the country," she said.
"They put in power the chiefs of Al-Badr, Razakar, Al-Sham, who were engaged in destroying this country, who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity," the education minister added.
Awami League destroyed democracy and dreams of independence: Fakhrul
Accusing Awami League of destroying democracy and the electoral system by dashing the dreams of the country’s independence, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday expressed a strong determination to restore democracy and people’s democratic rights, including the right of franchise.
"The country was liberated through a bloody war 52 years back in 1971 with a hope to build a truly democratic state. But that democracy has now been unfortunately completely exiled and the democratic rights have been taken away,” he said.Talking to reporters after placing a wreath at BNP founder Ziaur Rahmank's grave, Fakhrul alleged that the country’s people now do not have the right to franchise and the right to speak and write.
“There’re no democratic rights here at all. All the institutions of the state have been ruined in a planned way. Awami League is going to establish a fascist one-party governance system with a nefarious plot by destroying the electoral system,” he observed.
The BNP leader called upon the people from all walks of life and all political parties to be more united and organised to get rid of the current situation in the country and restore democracy and all the lost rights.
“The people of Bangladesh have woken up and started a movement to restore democracy, to get their voting and other rights back, and to live in peace. We have to be more united and organised, to achieve success” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the prices of all commodities and oil, gas, and power have increased so much that people are going through serious ordeals.
He said the government has raised the prices of the essentials and utility services to plunder public money through widespread corruption.
Fakhrul said they will force the government to free BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition and withdraw the false cases filed against over 35 lakh people and accept their 10-point demands, including holding the next national election under a non-party caretaker government.
The BNP secretary general along with party leaders and activists came to Ziaur Rahman's grave at Sher-e Bangla Nagar around 10am and placed a wreath there, marking the 53rd Independence Day.
They also offered munajat there seeking the salvation of Zia's departed soul.
Earlier in the morning, BNP leaders and activists, led by Fakhrul, placed a wreath at the altar of the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, marking Independence Day.
After placing the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for a while in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Later, talking to reporters, Fakhrul said the Liberation War began in 1971 through the “proclamation of independence by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman”.
“The independence of Bangladesh was achieved through nine months of bloody struggle. We participated in the Liberation War with a dream and hope of building a democratic state. Unfortunately, even after 52 years of independence, people are sacrificing their lives and carrying on a struggle for democracy,” he said.
The BNP leader said people have lost their right to speak and right to vote while journalists have lost their right to write the truth as an “authoritarian government” has been established in the country.
He bemoaned that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia was jailed as she started a movement for the “restoration of democracy” while over 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists have been harassed by implicating them in “false” cases.
On this Independence Day, Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists took a vow that they will continue the movement that they have started to “bring back democracy, the right to vote, to bring the prices of essential commodities at a tolerable level and to turn Bangladesh into a truly democratic state.”
BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Vice-chairmen Barrister Shahjahan Omar, party’s Dhaka south city unit convener Abdus Salam, Dhaka north city unit convener Abdus Salam, joint secretaries general Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, among others were present.
Earlier in the morning, BNP hoisted the national and the party flags atop its offices, including the Nayapaltan central one, on the occasion.
The party arranged a discussion on Saturday at Mohanagar Natya Mancha, marking the day.
On March 16, the party chalked out a 10-day day program to celebrate Independence Day.
On March 27, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, the freedom fighters' wing of BNP, will organize a “mass gathering of freedom fighters” in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office.
Besides, the party's different units and associate bodies also took various programmes, including discussions, to mark the day.
BNP pays tribute to Liberation War martyrs, vows to continue movement
BNP today paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, marking Independence Day, and took a vow to continue its movement for the “restoration of democracy and voting rights of people”.
Party leaders and activists, led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed the wreath at the altar of the memorial at Savar in the morning.
After placing the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for a while in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Later, talking to reporters, Fakhrul said the Liberation War began in 1971 through the “proclamation of independence by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman”.
“The independence of Bangladesh was achieved through nine months of bloody struggle. We participated in the Liberation War with a dream and hope of building a democratic state. Unfortunately, even after 52 years of independence, people are sacrificing their lives and carrying on a struggle for democracy,” he said.
Also read: Nation celebrating Independence Day
The BNP leader said people have lost their right to speak and right to vote while journalists have lost their right to write the truth as an “authoritarian government” has been established in the country.
He bemoaned that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia was jailed as she started a movement for the “restoration of democracy” while over 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists have been harassed by implicating them in “false” cases.
On this Independence Day, Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists took a vow that they will continue the movement that they have started to “bring back democracy, the right to vote, to bring the prices of essential commodities at a tolerable level and to turn Bangladesh into a truly democratic state.”
Later, they went to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's grave at Sher-e Bangla Nagar and placed a wreath there.
They also offered munajat there seeking the salvation of Zia's departed soul.
BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Vice-chairmen Barrister Shahjahan Omar, party’s Dhaka south city unit convener Abdus Salam, Dhaka north city unit convener Abdus Salam, joint secretaries general Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, among others were present.
Earlier in the morning, BNP hoisted the national and the party flags atop its offices, including the Nayapaltan central one, on the occasion.
The party arranged a discussion on Saturday at Mohanagar Natya Mancha, marking the day.
On March 16, the party chalked out a 10-day day program to celebrate Independence Day.
On March 27, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, the freedom fighters' wing of BNP, will organize a “mass gathering of freedom fighters” in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office.
Besides, the party's different units and associate bodies also took various programmes, including discussions, to mark the day.
Raise voice against anti-Liberation War forces: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today urged the countrymen to raise their voice against anti-Liberation War forces.
"The anti-Liberation War forces are still prevailing in the country in various forms even after 52 years of independence," he said.
Obaidul Quader made the call during an exchange of views with journalists after paying tribute at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on the occasion of Independence and National Day in the morning.
He said anti-Liberation War forces challenged the independence of the country through communalism and militancy.
"So these forces should be eliminated from the country to continue the trend of development," he also said
Calling BNP the "spokesman of Pakistan", the AL general secretary also said that BNP is speaking in the "language of Pakistanis" about the genocide in 1971.
The national and AL party flags were hoisted at Bangabandhu Bhaban along with central and party offices across the country in the morning immediately after sunrise.
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina along with its senior leaders paid tribute at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar at 5:54 am.
Leaders and workers paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 at 6:45 am maintaining health guidelines.
Special prayers were arranged at mosques across Bangladesh including Baitul Mukarram after Zohr prayers while Christian community members arranged special prayers at Tejgaon Church at 8 am and Mirpur Baptist Church at one minute past zero hours. Buddhist community members arranged prayers at the International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda at 10 am and Hindu community members at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 11 am.
Alongside, a delegation of the party placed wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 11 am while doa and milad mahfil was arranged there.
The delegation members were Presidium Member Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruque Khan, Central Working Committee Member Abul Hasnat Abdullah, Presidium Member Shajahan Khan, Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan.
Awami League will hold a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at 11 am on March 27 where Sheikh Hasina will chair and take part in the discussion.
Fakhrul dismisses EC's letter to BNP as part of govt's latest polls strategy
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the Election Commission's (EC’s) letter inviting BNP to talks is nothing but the latest strategy of the government to hold another election depriving people of their voting rights.
“Could anyone cast vote in the past? They (govt) are going to start that deed again. There’s a lot of pressure this time as the foreigners are saying that the voting like before won’t be accepted this time…that's why they’re devising new tactics. The Election Commission sent us a letter as part of the latest strategy,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a discussion arranged by BNP at Mohanagar Natya Mancha, marking the Independence Day.
He said their party’s standing committee will hold a meeting on Monday and take a decision on the EC’s letter.
Read: BNP's movement to continue with programmes through Ramadan
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal sent a demi-official letter to the BNP secretary general for taking part in a views-exchange meeting on the next national election.
The Current EC, led by Awal, held two rounds of talks with the political parties since its formation last year. However, BNP and some other political parties did not participate in the talks.
Fakhrul questioned the justification of the EC’s talks with the political parties when it has no power to control the administration for ensuring a credible election.
“Why are you (EC) becoming restless by sending such letters? You live like decent persons and receive salaries,” he said pointing at the CEC and the election commissioners.
Mentioning that the previous Commission had spent cores of taka on only training purposes, the BNP leader suggested the current EC looking for such a scope to make money instead of thinking about the national election. “Don't belittle yourself by unnecessarily saying all these things about the national election.”
He said the election will not be held in a fair and neutral manner if Awami League remains in power during the voting.
“It’s already been proved not only in the national elections but also in local government polls. So come to the real point without doing this exercise (holding talks) unnecessarily. The real point is that the caretaker government must remain in place during the election period.”
The BNP leader also said the country’s people will not accept the election if it is not held under a non-party caretaker government.
Fakhrul said Awami League has been playing a game in a planned way to hang onto power by regulating the EC, administration and law enforcement agencies.
Read: BNP urges DMP not to arrest its leaders, activists without any warrant
He said the current government has destroyed the country through widespread plundering and corruption.
The BNP leader said the Padma Bridge has been repaired though it has not been a year since it was opened to traffic. “The layer of bitumen used on the road of the bridge is getting damaged. This is a sample of their development.”
When the country’s people struggle to manage food for survival, he said the government is constructing a subway. “Has the subway become so much important in that area of Purbachal?”
Fakhrul urged the government to quit power and dissolve parliament with dignity by handing over power to a non-party caretaker government, paving the way for holding a credible national election under a new election commission.
He also called upon the party leaders and activists to get ready for making any kind of sacrifice in protecting the country and the rights of its people.
Ctg 8 by-polls: AL nominates Noman Al Mahmud
Awami League has nominated Noman Al Mahmud as its candidate for the by-election to Chattogram-8 constituency.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader revealed the matter at a press briefing today.
Noman is the Chattogram organizing secretary of AL.
Also read: By-election to Chattogram-8 constituency on April 27
The seat was left vacant following the death of Awami League MP Moslem Uddin Ahmed.
By-election to the Chattogram-8 constituency will be held on April 27, 2023.
BNP's movement to continue with programmes through Ramadan
As part of the party’s decision to continue its movement, BNP on Friday announced fresh programmes, including sit-in and mass campaign, from the metropolitan city to union levels to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
The programme is also meant for registering the party’s protest against the rise in the prices of power, gas and essential items and the Awami League government’s all-pervasive corruption.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme at an iftar party at the Ladies Club in the city.
As part of the programme, the party will stage a sit-in from 2pm to 4pm on April 1 in all metropolitan cities and districts towns.
Also Read: Fakhrul has no say in BNP’s internal politics: Quader
Besides, a similar programme will be observed from 3pm to 5pm on April 8 at all thanas in metropolitan cities and at all upazilas in the districts.
Fakhrul has no freedom of expression inside BNP: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has no freedom of expression in his party’s internal politics as the party is run on the prescription of a convicted fugitive.
“We understand the pain of Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir. In fact, Mirza Fakhrul has no freedom of expression in the internal politics of BNP. Fakhrul Saheb is forced to accept the decision, which is descended from far London, staying mum,” the AL leader said in a statement.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, alleged that the committees are formed and dissolved, expulsion and reward are fixed, and business centering committees and nomination is done, in undemocratic ways going against the charter.
Also Read: No scope for reinstating caretaker government in the country: Quader to US Ambassador Haas
Protesting Fakhrul’s recent remarks regarding the people’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression, he said Fakhrul has captured the people’s freedom of speech and his freedom of expression in his party’s internal politics in a single frame.
“So, Mirza Fakhrul is indulging in a grudge against the government like a parrot,” said the AL general secretary.
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has been running the government, keeping public aspirations and expectations in mind in a bid to ensure the welfare of the people.
Also Read: US HR report depicts Bangladesh’s terrible situation: Fakhrul
All the endeavors of the government are being conducted, not to keep the people silent rather to fulfill the public aspirations and expectation, he said, criticizing the BNP’s past regime for its misrules.
Also Read: BNP won't go to election under AL, Fakhrul reiterates
“We are united under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina to establish a developed-prosperous, human-welfare and smart Bangladesh for the next generation. Victory will be ours, Inshallah,” said Obaidul Quader.
BNP hosts iftar for orphans, Islamic scholars
BNP hosted an iftar party for orphan students and alem-ulema (Islamic scholars) on Friday, the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The programme was held at the city's Ladies Club with the participation of several hundred orphans and some alem-ulema.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party standing committee members received the guests and exchanged pleasantries with them.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia used to have iftar with orphans and Islamic scholars on the first day of Ramadan every year until her conviction in graft cases in 2018.
In a brief address, Fakhrul said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia used to take iftar with orphans on the first day of Ramadan every year. “We feel her absence on this day.”
Besides, he said their party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman has also been staying abroad as he was sentenced in 'false' cases. “It can be said that we’ve joined this iftar mahfil with a heavy heart.”
BNP urges DMP not to arrest its leaders, activists without any warrant
BNP on Thursday requested the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities not to arrest the party’s leader and activists without any warrant.
A five-member BNP delegation made the request during their meeting with DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq at his Mintoo Road office.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Dhaka north city unit convener Amanullah Aman said the leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies are being arrested in the capital without any warrant.
“We saw our party leaders and activists were arrested, harassed, and implicated in false and ghost cases in the same way ahead of the national election in 2018 and 2014. We told them such arrest without any warrant must be stopped,” he said.
The BNP leader said their party’s innocent leaders and activists are being arrested and implicated in false cases in the capital. “Even, our leaders and activists are being arrested from stoical events in hotels and clubs. We told them not to arrest our leaders and activists in this way and not to implicate them in false cases at the behest of Awami League.”
During Ramadan, Aman said they will arrange iftar mahfils at every thana of the capital and they sought cooperation from the DMP authorities in holding these programmes smoothly without any obstruction.
He said they also talked to the DMP boss about their programmes taken to celebrate the Independence Day.
Aman said the DMP Commissioner talked to them very sincerely and assured them of taking steps as per their request.
About the arrest, Aman said the DMP chief told them that they will take measures so that no one is arrested without a warrant in the future.
The other members of the delegation are BNP Dhaka south city convener Abdus Salam, publicity secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, Dhaka south city unit member secretary Rafiqul Alam Mojnu and north city unit member secretary Aminul Haq.