United News of Bangladesh

Urging the government to break up the syndicates formed during the Awami League regime, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said there is no other alternative to ending the people's sufferings. “The syndicates must be broken - they (syndicates) have been sitting on the neck of the nation. The people of the country will continue to be persecuted if the syndicates aren’t broken. Ransack the syndicates,” he said. The Jamaat ameer made the call while addressing a party rally at the field of Wazir Ali School and College in Jhenaidah city on Thursday. Depicting the persecutions carried out by the Awami League government, he urged the government to bring the accused back to the country to ensure punishment. He said his party dreams of such a Bangladesh where no citizen, regardless of religion, caste, men and women, will be deprived of basic rights.  

MA Malik, an adviser to the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and UK BNP President, has said that the party's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, is not seeking any "favour" and intends to fight his legal battles. "After winning the legal fight, he will return to the country soon," he remarked. Tarique for creating 'collective community shield' for security of all Malik made these comments while speaking to journalists after a reception at Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Thursday afternoon. He further expressed confidence that if the rule of law prevails in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman will get justice. Malik further expressed the BNP's confidence in Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, asserting that they believe he will conduct fair and impartial elections. Additionally, Malik alleged that Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, smuggled US$ 14 billion and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has filed a case against him. He reiterated that the BNP demands justice and the return of this money. Earlier that day, Malik arrived in Sylhet from Dhaka and was warmly welcomed with floral tributes by leaders and activists from the central, district, and metropolitan BNP.

The BNP on Thursday demanded immediate cancellation of the appointment of 803 sub-inspectors (SIs) and 67 assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) appointed before the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmad came up with the demand during a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. “We have learned from reliable sources that the ousted fascist Awami government appointed a total of 803 people to the position of sub-inspector of police just before their ouster, aiming to prolong their power and establish absolute control over the police administration," he said. BNP pushes for prompt election date The BNP leader said that among these appointments, 200 were from Gopalganj and 403 were members of the “terrorist organisation” Chhatra League, which was involved in the killing of students during the anti-discrimination movement. He also mentioned that 67 ASPs were appointed by the Awami League government as part of its far-reaching blueprint. “All of them are cadres of the Bangladesh Chhatra League. Our demand is to immediately cancel the appointments of these sub-inspectors and ASPs to keep the vital law enforcement agencies free from stigma and prevent the resurgence of fascism.” Salahuddin alleged that the principle of representation among religious communities has been severely violated in the appointment of these police officers. He also mentioned that they have heard the passing out ceremony for these partisan sub-inspectors, currently in training at Sarada, will occur on October 31, 2024. BNP calls for cancellation of 43rd BCS appointments “If the appointment of these sub-inspectors is not halted, we will see the emergence of more cohorts of fascism, like OC Pradeep, Farman, Mazhar and Mohsin, among them,” the BNP leader warned. He also said the 67 ASPs were appointed by the Awami League government as part of a long-term plan. “They all are also Chhatra League cadres, and their passing out is likely to be on October 20, 2024.” “If we don’t stop them now, they could become the Benazirs, Asads, Habibs, Haruns, Biplabs, Moniruls, Praloy Kumars, or Krishna Pads of tomorrow. Their appointment will pave the way for the revival of fallen fascism,” he viewed.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Thursday called upon the government to announce the date for the next national election as soon as possible. “We consider you (govt) a philosopher's stone. Do you see yourselves that way? If so, then announce the election date and roadmap,” he said. Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader emphasised that the sooner the election roadmap is revealed, the quicker citizens' expectations will be met. “If you can do this, the nation will remember you. Your name will be inscribed in gold in history,” he said. The discussion was organised by ‘Zia Projonmo’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Dudu, a former president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, urged the interim government to prioritise conducting a fair and credible election. “The people of the country are waiting to know when the election will take place. So, the government should make setting a date for the election its top priority,” he added. The BNP leader called upon the interim government to complete its initiative for the state reforms without further delay to start the election process. “The people of this country know very well how to conduct a fair election. The police and administration need to be reformed. The public does not want to see any excuses regarding the reform issue.” Dudu said it is unimaginable for a Prime Minister to remain in office by usurping power for 15 years and then flee the country. “Her ministers, MPs, and even the Chief Justice have also fled. I think there is no other precedent like this in the world. They created such a dire situation that there was no way to survive except by escaping,” he said. The BNP leader urged the army chief to publish the list of the 600 people they sheltered following the August-5 mass uprising. “Where did they go? The country’s people want to know.”

The BNP on Thursday demanded cancellation of the gazette notification regarding the recruitment of 2,064 officials based on the final results of the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination held during the Awami League regime. The party also called for the scrapping of all the processes for the 44th, 45th, and 46th BCS to ensure that meritorious and deserving candidates are appointed through a fair and transparent process. “We demand the interim government to immediately revoke the gazette notification on the appointments made based on the 43rd BCS examinations results, which were conducted by a partisan commission during the fascist regime of the Awami League,” said BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he noted that there is a precedent for annulling BCS recruitment, referencing the interim government's actions in 2007 when it scrapped the appointments based on the results of the 27th BCS. He pointed out that the final results of the 27th BCS were revoked in the same context, and the then government subsequently completed the process issuing the recruitment circular after retaking viva exams. The BNP leader emphasised that the government could follow the example set by the 27th BCS appointment process regarding the 43rd BCS. The BNP leader said that the current interim government has recently issued a notification for the appointment of 2,064 candidates recommended by the politically biased Public Service Commission (PSC), which has acted as an ally of the fascist Awami government, for various BCS cadres. “This decision, made without thorough scrutiny and in the wake of a historic uprising by students and the masses that cost many lives, has left the people of the country stunned and disappointed, fueling widespread anger and concern among the citizens of the country,” he observed. At a time when there is a strong demand from various segments of the people, to ban the Chhatra League as a terrorist organisation, Salahudin said the subversive decision to rehabilitate members of that organisation into higher positions within the government administration through recruitment from the 43rd BCS is against national interest and security. “This is not acceptable at all.” A total of 321,650 candidates participated in the preliminary exam of the 43rd BCS on October 29, 2021. On December 26, 2023, the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) announced the final results, recommending the appointment of 2,805 individuals, including both cadre and non-cadre positions. Among them, 2,163 were awaiting appointment for cadre positions. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification appointing 2,064 candidates to various cadres. Within just 2 months of the people's bloody mass uprising, Salahuddin said the opportunity to expand the dominance of the Awami ghosts in the administration by appointing deposed Awami party loyalists without any proper scrutiny has become a big question. “We feel that this appointment is tantamount to deception and betrayal with the unforgettable sacrifices of the students in the anti-fascist movement,” he said. Salahuddin noted that out of the 9,000 candidates called for the oral examination of the 44th BCS, 3,000 have completed their tests during Sheikh Hasina's administration. The BNP leader also said the evaluation of written answers for the 45th BCS is nearing completion, while the preliminary exam for the 46th BCS took place three months ago. “We demand the complete cancellation of the recruitment processes for these three BCS exams to prevent the fascist Awami cliques and the cadre forces of their student organisation, Chhatra League, from infiltrating the state administration,” he said. He went on to say, "We must remember that there is no room for compromise on this issue. So, we have called for the cancellation of the 44th, 45th, and 46th BCS exams and for new examinations to be conducted.” He alleged that from 2009 to August 5, 2024, the fascist Awami League government established one-party dominance by appointing loyalists at all levels of administration, sidelining many qualified youth and exacerbating unemployment. Salahuddin, a former admin cadre, said the PSC was once a prestigious institution for national recruitment and a source of pride, but it has become a subservient party entity under prolonged fascist rule. “One day the institution which was led by the virtuous intellectuals of the country, became a den of the party cadres when the fascist regime came to power,” he said. The BNP leader said the blatant politicisation had reached a point where a former PSC chairman was made a dummy MP as a reward, and he is now a fugitive. “What could be more shameful for the nation than this?” Salahuddin said there have been widespread calls from job seekers and other stakeholders for reforming the PSC. “In response to these demands, it has been reported that the age limit for public job applications is being increased. We welcome this initiative, as it will provide an opportunity for some deserving candidates who have been left behind to apply for various jobs again,” he observed. The BNP said a new chairman and some members of the PSC have already been appointed in response to calls for reform. “We believe that PSC reforms should be fully implemented, and all recruitment processes should be conducted anew in a transparent manner, allowing job aspirants to benefit from the changes and restoring the nation's confidence and trust in the government recruitment process.” Salahuddin said the process of giving new jobs to different non-cadre posts of the 1st class, second, third and fourth classes, was started in various government and semi-government institutions during the Awami League government. “We believe that individuals who have already applied for these positions should be given the opportunity to continue, alongside an extended application period that allows others who are eligible to apply as well," he said.

The Ganatantra Mancha expressed its commitment to taking the victory of the student-people uprising to the threshold of a greater triumph, regardless of the situation. Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Coordinator of Ganatantra Mancha, made this assertion during a press conference on Thursday morning at the central office of Nagorik Oikya in the capital. "Basic discussions on the Constitution have already begun. If the government fails to handle this with due diligence, the crisis could worsen. However, we are not fearful of this. We believe this problem can be overcome," he said. ‘Interim Govt doesn’t acknowledge Sheikh Mujib as Father of the Nation’: Adviser Nahid Manna went on to say, "Our task now is to take the victory of this massive uprising to the door of an even greater success. There is no room for failure, and no reason for it, provided we handle the situation with competence and sincerity." Reforms: They are doing it their way Commenting on the ongoing reform process, Manna said, "We haven't seen much consistency in the reform initiatives so far. When we last met with the Chief Advisor, we proposed that reforms should be formulated with the input of all stakeholders. However, it seems they are proceeding according to their own agenda." Manna also expressed frustration over the presence of bureaucrats from the previous administration in the interim government, even after two months. He remarked, "We cannot understand why, even after two or two-and-a-half months, the same people who were aligned with the previous government (Awami League) for 15 years are still in place. History will not accept this." Chief Adviser visits DU campus to see graffiti drawn by youths He warned, "Six months from now, if we still claim that we couldn't make any changes and that they continued their activities... People are not prepared to witness such failures." Concerns over soaring prices Manna also expressed concern over the rising cost of living and demanded urgent action to address the issue. The press conference was attended by Saiful Haque, General Secretary of Bangladesh Biplabi Workers Party, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, Convener of Bhasani Followers Council, JSD General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, Ganashanghati Andolan leader Bacchu Bhuiyan, and Nagorik Oikya General Secretary Shahidullah Kaiser.

The Awami League on Wednesday accused the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, of attempting to erase the history of Bangladesh’s creation by “pressing the reset button.” In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, the party claimed that the government had cancelled eight national days, including the March 7, which commemorates Bangabandhu’s historic speech that united the Bengali nation during the Liberation War. “They cancelled the National Day of Mourning on August 15, as their actions reflect the ideology of Bangabandhu’s killers,” the party further alleged. AL condemns move to cancel 8 significant national days The Awami League also condemned the cancellation of March 17, which is celebrated as the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, and National Children’s Day. The party accused the interim government of not recognizing Sheikh Mujib as the Father of the Nation. Additionally, the party claimed that the Constitution Day of November 4, which embodies the aspirations of the Liberation War, had been scrapped by the interim government. “They even demolished murals and sculptures of Bangabandhu on August 5 because of his role in leading Bangladesh to independence,” the statement added. The Awami League strongly condemned the interim government’s actions, calling them an “audacity” and declaring that the people of Bangladesh are united in their opposition to these “illegal activities.”

Awami League on Wednesday condemned the interim government’s move to cancel eight significant national days, including the one commemorating the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu and August 15. “The Bengali nation is rejecting this intention of wanting to fuel the politics of division and reactionary evil forces by erasing the national history of Bengali by pressing the reset button,” the party said in a press release. It mentioned that the entire nation and people inspired by the spirit of the great Liberation War will unitedly respond to this ‘despicable’ action. The Council of Advisers took the decision in a recent meeting. The Cabinet Division is expected to issue a gazette notification in this regard soon. The days are— March 17 celebrates both the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, August 5 marks the birth anniversary of Shaikh Hasina's brother Sheikh Kamal and August 8 the birth anniversary of Hasina's mother Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnecha Mujib, October 18 is observed marking Hasina's youngest brother Sheikh Russell Day, November 4 as National Constitution Day and December 12 recognises Smart Bangladesh Day. Awami League said that ‘well-planned’ steps are being taken to destroy human values and the spirit of the liberation war. “They are hostile to the brave freedom fighters and those who believe in the spirit of the liberation war.” Awami League offers Durga Puja greetings to Hindus, calls for peaceful celebration The press release mentioned that misusing the state apparatus to eliminate the pro-liberation forces from national politics, the interim government is carrying out ‘mass arrests on false charges’. “State has established anarchism in the country, which is called Matsyanyaya.” Fed up with the government's inefficiency and lawlessness, Awami League said that people have already started saying, “we used to have a beautiful days.” The press release said that the greatest achievement of Bengal and Bengalis is the establishment of the independent and sovereign Bangladesh state, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation. “The contribution of the trusted colleagues of the Father of the Nation, the freedom-loving people of the country and his family is indelible. But we can see that all the individuals, institutions and symbolic structures of the liberation struggle are suffering from the vindictive behavior of the government.” As a result of this, the press release reads, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national days related to national history are decided to be excluded from the state activities. “We strongly condemn and protest against such retaliatory measures.” These included the historic Awakening Speech Day on March 7, Children's Day on March 17, and days of mourning such as August 15, recognized as World Heritage by Unesco. “The significance of these days in our national history cannot be denied in any way. No one can 'hold' us by pressing the reset button.” Awami League firmly hopes that truth shall prevail above all. “The days that were cancelled due to the hatred of the government, the Bengali will observe them socially and culturally with utmost compassion as always and will firmly say, we will come back to the banks of the Dhanshiri River.”

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday demanded that the masterminds of disappearance, killing be brought out and ensured punishment.   He also said that the culture of enforced disappearance and killing will have to be wiped out from the country forever.   Salahuddin, a standing committee member of the BNP, said these while talking to reporters after a meeting with former Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of the inquiry commission into enforced disappearances, in Dhaka. He said, “I appeared before the inquiry commission so that my disappearance issue can register officially. You (reporters) know all things about my disappearance. Posing as law enforcement agencies I was picked from a residence in Uttara around 9pm on March 10 in 2015. I had disappeared for 61 days since abduction and then trafficked to a country. I shared this in detail.”    BNP leader Salahuddin acquitted in two cases in Cox’s Bazar “The inquiry commission will put up these issues upon investigation and I don’t know how much the commission has jurisdiction. I told them (commission) that I would lodge a case at the International Crimes Tribunal,” he said.   He alleged that he was a victim of enforced disappearance upon directives from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Zia Ahsan, Benazir and Tarik Siddiqui and the masterminds must be found out and ensure punishment. It is the demand of the nation, the 5 August revolution and blood of the martyrs to ensure their (masterminds) punishment, the BNP leader said. He suggested bringing back those who fled the neighbouring country and it is the responsibility of the government.

The All European Awami League on Tuesday condemned and protested the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs that no case, arrest or harassment will be against perpetrators of anti-government protests and related incidents from July 15 to August 8. In a post on verified Facebook page of Awami League, the All-European Awami League president M Nazrul Islam and general secretary Mojibur Rahman in a joint statement said that Human rights violations, killings, terrorism are going on under the orders of Muhammad Yunus. They demanded immediate cancellation of this directive and all the anti-people and destructive acts that took place in the name of mass movement in July-August. They also demanded speedy trial of the activities and strict punishment of the criminals.