United News of Bangladesh

Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain reaffirmed on Saturday that the national election in Bangladesh will be held in February without any doubt. “The election will be held in time and there is no confusion about it. Even within the Council of Advisers, there is no doubt. The Election Commission will conduct the polls, and we will have no role in it,” he told reporters after inspecting several development projects in Barishal. He expressed the hope that those elected would lead the country in a democratic way. During the visit, the adviser inspected canal restoration, port road and passenger terminal projects, expressing satisfaction over their progress. He also announced a new paddle boat service for passengers from Barishal to Dhaka. Sakhawat said Barishal's divisional commissioner and district administration would take measures to restore canals, with BIWTA extending support to improve navigation and build walkways along the canals.  

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Saturday warned that communal forces are rising in the country after the fall of fascism. “Those whom you call fundamentalists, I also call them fundamentalists. They are now selling tickets to heaven,” he said at a discussion. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said a party is telling people that if they stay with it, they will go to heaven, and if not, they will go to hell. “Yet they themselves don’t know whether they will go to heaven or not. That’s why I say communal forces are on the rise in the country. We have freed ourselves from fascism, but instead of democratic values, a frenzy of communalism has started, which helps create mobs,” he observed. The BNP leader warned that if the state system cannot be kept on the path of democracy, communalism would become twice as difficult as fascism and ultimately lead public life to destruction. In today’s modern world, he said communal forces would not allow free thought and the growth of talent. Gayeshwar said BNP believes in religious values but not in using religion to spread hatred. “Whatever the faith one follows, religion is a way of life meant to guide people in the right direction,” he said. “What is considered a sin in religion is regarded as wrongdoing under modern state law. In the justice system, it is written what punishment matches which offence. Likewise, if one reads the Holy Quran or the Gita, it is also written what punishment will come after death for certain sins. So, there is no conflict between religion and the state system,” the BNP leader said. Tarique voices concern over Israeli settlement expansion in West Bank Human Research and Analysis Foundation organised the discussion titled “July Revolution and the Future Thoughts of Democracy” at the Jatiya Press Club. Turning to the interim government, Gayeshwar said the current administration has little visibility as it has no clear direction. “Except for a few, no one speaks. Ministries are still being run by the administration left behind by Sheikh Hasina.” He also criticised the state of the media and social media, saying freedom must come with responsibility. “Media freedom does not mean saying anything about anyone. Social media has now become a place where people say whatever they like, which can mislead society, especially children.” The BNP leader stressed that democracy means people will elect a government through votes, and if they regret their choice, they can change it in the next election. “This simple path should not be made so difficult,” he said. On electoral reforms, Gayeshwar took a swipe at the proportional representation (PR) system, saying the interim government has turned reform into superstition. “I don’t understand PR, but I hear it is exercised in Nepal. It seems that in that system you could have one prime minister in the morning, another in the afternoon, and a different one at night.”

Police arrested 12 members of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations while they were preparing for flash processions in Ramna and Gulshan areas of the capital Dhaka. The arrests were made between 3:15 pm and 4:00 pm on Friday during raids in Banglamotor and Gulshan, confirmed DC (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Talebur Rahman. The arrestees were: Md Moin Uddin, 36, Billal Hossain, 38, Md Rabbi, 21, Md Sohel Hasan Rafi, 21, Arif, 23, Nadim, 19, Md Shukkur Hawlader, 25, Shihab Munshi, 25, Md Juel, 30, Saddam Molla, 27, Md Rana, 19, and Md Nazmul, 19. Awami League will definitely try to obstruct election: Home Adviser According to the source of police, they were trying to destabilize the country by creating panic through flash processions in different parts of Dhaka. DC media of DMP Talebur Rahman said, “Legal action against them is underway”.

Expressing unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, BNP Acting Chairman on Friday voiced deep concern over Israel’s latest plans to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a statement on his verified Facebook page, he warned that this move would further erase hopes for a viable Palestinian state and push the region closer to chaos. “I strongly call upon the international community to condemn and put pressure on the Israeli government for their settlement plans and ask that the International Court of Justice not delay their verdict of a clear genocide in Gaza by the Israeli government while Palestinians suffer even more,” the BNP leader said. He said Bangladeshis around the world have always stood in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Palestine against violent colonial oppression and erasure, and continue to do so proudly. “Recent news of plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank that make any future Palestinian state virtually impossible is heart-breaking,” Tarique said. He said the continued apartheid and attack on the people of Palestine, their culture, their land, their history by Benjamin Netanyahu is no less than genocide and planned ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. “It is abhorrent.” The BNP leader also voiced concern for the safety of millions of Bangladeshis living and working in the Middle East and Gulf regions. “Many Bangladeshis live and work within the Middle East and Gulf region. I am deeply concerned for them and their families’ safety and security because of how this Israeli government is pushing the entire region towards an abyss,” he said. Grenade Attack Case: SC to hear appeal petition challenging acquittal of Tareque, Babar Thursday The recent Israeli approval of thousands of new housing units in West Bank settlements has drawn global criticism, with human rights groups warning that such

BNP senior leader AZM Zahid Hossain on Friday alleged that fugitive autocrats and anti-state forces are secretly forging unity and making 'entente' to hinder Bangladesh’s democratic progress and tarnish its image as a moderate democratic country. “Absconding autocrats and anti-state forces are now secretly uniting and making entente so that Bangladesh cannot move forward on the path of democracy, and so that the country cannot uphold its reputation in the world as a moderate democratic nation," he said. Talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Zahid also alleged that various conspiracies are going on both at home and abroad to hold Bangladesh back, put its democracy at risk, and delay its democratic system. "If we are to resist the unity of fugitive autocrats and anti-state forces, we must remember that the general people must be united. Together with them and with democracy-loving citizens, we must foil this conspiracy,” the BNP leader said. He said all must also keep in mind that no conspirator has the strength to stop the power of the people, their will, their aspirations, and their indomitable spirit for democracy. Zahid, a BNP Standing Committee member, along with leaders of the new convening committee of the Diploma Engineers Association of Bangladesh, placed a wreath at Zia’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, paying tribute to him. On September 3, a 33-member Convening Committee of the Diploma Engineers Association of Bangladesh was formed, making Engineer Md Hanif its convener and Kazi Shakhawat Hossain member secretary. Zahid said it has been seen across the world that whenever disasters struck or dictators emerged, it was the people who made the decision to tackle them. He said on ‘36 July’ it was also the people who decided and the student movement against discrimination turned into a one-point movement only through the participation of the masses. “Even now, those at home and abroad who are trying to push back the country’s democracy or prolong it with ill motives will never succeed against the united efforts and awareness of the people. In the end, it will be the people’s victory, the victory of democracy and the victory of the struggle for people’s rights,” the BNP leader said. He also said it will be the people who will decide what the future constitution should be and what kind of reforms are needed. “Whoever the people elect and send to parliament will carry out the reforms based on the ideals and objectives of 36 July and, above all, on the aspirations of the nation.” BNP’s Zahid Hossain alleges conspiracies against democracy Through those reforms, Zahid said, Bangladesh will be built as a forward-looking country in line with the 31-point programme under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. He urged all to remain united, saying division and discord would never make anyone stronger. “The unity of the people once forced autocrats to flee and will also prevent their return.” Zaid warned that any attempt to rehabilitate autocrats through farcical arrangements would never be judged positively in the end. Calling for unity, the BNP leader urged those who fought for democracy not to fall into divisive politics but to embrace the politics of unity and understand the people’s aspirations. He said questions have been raised over the neutrality of the recently held Ducsu and Jucsu elections. The BNP leader observed that in the JUCSU polls, not only the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal panel but also independent candidates and even teachers stayed away from the election, which, he said, clearly indicated underlying reasons. Stating that the country’s people could not vote in the last three national controversial and lopsided elections, Zahid said the people want to regain trust in the electoral system and urged authorities not to hold polls that would raise doubts, force contestants to quit, or weaken confidence. He expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of journalist Tariqul Islam during the DUCSU elections and teacher Jannatul Ferdous during the JUCSU polls.

Vote counting in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections is still underway and is expected to continue throughout the day, an election official said on Friday morning. The final results may be announced at any time later tonight, the official added, requesting anonymity. The counting of votes for 11 hall unions at Jahangirnagar University has been completed, while vote counting is still ongoing for the remaining 10 halls. Meanwhile, the counting of votes for all 21 halls in the Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) is yet to begin, the official added, indicating the process may stretch late into the night. Earlier, voting ended at 5:45pm on Thursday amid allegations of vote rigging, mismanagement and boycott by several panels including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel. Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi, JCD’s general secretary candidate, said they pulled out because polling officers from Islami Chhatra Shibir allegedly entered centres an hour before voting began. She claimed Shibir supporters were engaged in vote rigging at various booths, with some female supporters casting multiple ballots. Three teachers reportedly aligned with BNP -- Prof Shamima Sultana, Nazrul Islam, and Nahrin Khan -- also stepped down from their roles, citing widespread irregularities. Besides, Songsoptok Parshad panel—formed by factions of Chhatra Front and Chhatra Union—has also withdrawn from the election, citing widespread irregularities. The panel announced its decision on Thursday evening through an official statement, condemning what they described as a rigged and unfair electoral process. Meanwhile, leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a protest march and rally on the campus, demanding re-elections for the Jahangirnagar University Central Student Council (JUCSU) and hall unions. The march started around 9:30 pm on Thursday from the New Arts Faculty and ended at Chourangi after passing in front of the JUCSU election commission office and Transport Square. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Fraudulent JUCSU, we will not accept” and “Boycott, boycott, boycott JUCSU.” Voting began at 9am in a festive atmosphere on Thursday, with 178 candidates vying for 25 JUCSU posts. Around 1,200 police personnel were deployed across the campus to ensure smooth proceedings.  

Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a protest march and rally at Jahangirnagar University on Thursday, demanding re-elections for the Jahangirnagar University Central Student Council (JUCSU) and hall unions. The march started around 9:30 pm from the New Arts Faculty and ended at Chourangi after passing in front of the JUCSU election commission office and Transport Square. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Fraudulent JUCSU, we will not accept” and “Boycott, boycott, boycott JUCSU.” Speaking at the rally, JCD JU unit convener Zahir Uddin Mohammad Babar alleged that their polling agents were prevented from entering centres for two hours and faced harassment. Additionally, he accused the university authorities of irregularities and rigging in the elections and demanded the formation of a new and neutral election commission. JUCSU: Vote counting underway; results expected Friday Around 50 JCD leaders and activists, including joint convener Shah Faisal Ahmed, VP candidate Sheikh Saadi Hasan, and AGS (male) candidate Sajjadul Islam, participated in the protest. Earlier on Thursday afternoon, GS candidate Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi, representing the JCD panel, announced the boycott of the JUCSU elections in a brief press conference at the Maulana Bhashani Hall guest room.

Following the boycott by Chhatra Dal, the Songsoptok Parshad panel—formed by factions of Chhatra Front and Chhatra Union—has also withdrawn from the Jahangirnagar University Central Student Union (JUCSU) election, citing widespread irregularities. The panel announced its decision on Thursday evening through an official statement, condemning what they described as a rigged and unfair electoral process. "We have witnessed numerous irregularities during the election, and therefore, we are announcing our boycott," the statement read. The panel further urged all participating panels and students to set aside differences and unite against what they called an “irregular administration” and a “conspiracy by Chhatra Shibir to rob votes.” Among the allegations, the panel claimed that activists from Chhatri Songstha were involved in casting fake votes in the 15th student hall. At Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall, although the official number of voters was 299, over 400 ballot papers were reportedly found. They also alleged that voters were being allowed to cast ballots without photo verification, and that outsiders from various organisations were present at polling stations across different halls. The university administration was further accused of exhibiting bias throughout the election process. Several teachers also withdrew from election duties and the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel boycotted the vote. Voting began at 9am in a festive atmosphere, with 178 candidates vying for 25 JUCSU posts. About 1,200 police personnel were deployed across the campus to ensure smooth proceedings.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has strongly condemned the reported killing of US conservative political leader Charlie Kirk in Utah. In a statement on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, Tarique said, “The tragedy of Charlie Kirk's death in Utah has reverberated across the world. That is because no one should face violence when it comes to their political belief and activism in a democratic society.” 3 pro-BNP teachers quit from JUCSU election duties over alleged irregularities The BNP leader stressed that regardless of an individual's religion, ideology or point of view, someone’s life should not end in such a despicable manner. “I strongly condemn this attack and extend my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones,” he added. Earlier, on Wednesday, Charlie Kirk, a conservative US political activist and campaigner for former President Donald Trump, was reportedly shot dead while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. The attacker, still at large, is believed to have fired a single shot from a nearby rooftop in what police described as a ‘targeted attack’.

The Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections concluded on Thursday evening amid allegations of vote rigging, mismanagement and a boycott by one panel. Professor Mafruhi Sattar, a member of the election commission, said balloting ended around 5:45pm. “We will begin counting votes shortly and hope to announce the results as early as possible,” he told UNB, adding that voter turnout figures would also be released soon. While the polls drew long queues of enthusiastic students, controversy marred the historic event, the first JUCSU elections in 33 years. Several teachers withdrew from election duties and the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD)-backed panel boycotted the vote. Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi, JCD’s general secretary candidate, said they pulled out because polling officers from Islami Chhatra Shibir allegedly entered centres an hour before voting began.