United News of Bangladesh

Awami League on Thursday urged the army, navy and air force and RAB and police personnel to stop the arrest of innocent party leaders and workers. “Try to bring the terrorists who torched the policemen inside police stations and carried out looting in the name of agitation and bring them under the law,” the Awami League said in a post on its verified Facebook page. “Take action against the militant organisations that are roaming before your eyes to create unrest in the country. Do not harass Awami League leaders and workers on the orders of any party or anyone. Become a friend of the people, not of any party,” the party asserted. Read: Police arrest an Awami League leader in Naogaon's Manda upazila It said that most of the weapons looted from police stations have not been recovered yet. “If you don't stop those who looted this weapon now, they will fight against you with those weapons. The safety of the people of the country is your responsibility.” According to data from the Police Headquarters, 5,829 firearms and 6,06,742 bullets were looted from police, different police stations and establishments. Read more: Awami League calls on supporters, people of the country to celebrate Hasina’s 78th birthday on Sept 28

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left the country for Canberra, Australia, on Wednesday night for a weeklong personal visit to see his elder daughter. He departed from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Singapore Airlines flight at approximately 11:55 pm, his personal assistant M Yunus Ali told UNB. “Sir (Fakhrul) is going to meet his daughter and her family members, as his wife, Rahat Ara Begum, is currently staying there,” he said.  He noted that Rahat Ara Begum has been staying with her elder daughter for the past one and a half months.  Yunus also said the BNP Secretary General is expected to return home with his wife after a weeklong stay in Australia. Fakhrul's eldest daughter, Dr. Shamaruh Mirza, is a medical scientist who has been living in Canberra, Australia, since 2006.  While she is a doctor, Shamaruh is primarily recognized as a women's organizer. In 2017, she co-founded SiTara’s Story to provide women from diverse backgrounds a safe space to discuss their challenges and gain confidence. The organization allows women to talk about stigmatized topics without fear, form support networks, and empower themselves. In 2021, SiTara’s Story received the ACT Mental Health Month award, and Shamaruh was a finalist for the Canberra Community Spirits Award.  In 2022, she was honored with Australia’s prestigious award ‘Australian of the Year.’

Gono Odhikar Parishad staged a torch procession in protest against the bails of former ministers Saber Hossain Chowdhury and M.A. Mannan. The march took place at the Bijoynagar on Wednesday evening.  Following the procession, a brief rally was held where Mohammad Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, said, “We must identify those associates of the Awami League who are lurking within the interim government. We need to remove those loyalists from the judiciary and administration. If there is an attempt to rehabilitate the Awami League, the public will rise against this government.” ‘Only the signboard of the syndicate has changed’: Hasnat Abdullah  He questioned, “Why were Saber Hossain Chowdhury and M.A. Mannan arrested? Why were they released claiming a clean image? This makes the Awami League believe that there is a soft corner for them in the interim government. The Awami League will attempt to destabilize the country. If the mass uprising fails in this situation, the government will have to bear the consequences.”  He further added, “We have been leading a revolution from 2018 to 2024. We have never acted as agents for any government, and we will not be agents for this government either.” 

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia donated Tk 200,000 to the party's central relief fund on Wednesday to assist flood victims in the country’s northern region. On her behalf, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir handed over the money to Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, the convener of the BNP's Relief Collection Committee, at the party's Nayapaltan central office. Fakhrul said he met Khaleda on Tuesday after she requested him to come to her Gulshan residence. Tarique Rahman stands by families of martyrs in Rajshahi “When I met her, she gave me Tk 200,000 to contribute to the party’s relief fund, saying it was her personal money for the flood victims,” the BNP leader explained. He said Khaleda has always stood by people and has led the nation during the times of crisis. “Unfortunately, the fascist Awami League regime has kept her confined for six years on false charges. She became seriously ill during her time in jail and continues to suffer from health issues,” Fakhrul added. The BNP Secretary General urged the people of the country to pray for Khaleda's speedy recovery. Earlier, on August 23, the BNP formed an eight-member committee, led by standing committee member Zahid Hossain, to collect relief materials for the flood-affected people in the southeastern districts. BNP stands by families of two martyrs of revolution at Shanir Akhra At that time, the party raised some Tk 20 crore in cash and relief materials for flood victims in eastern districts, including Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Cumilla, Khagrachari, Habiganj and parts of Chattogram and Chandpur. As some northern districts were also affected by the floods, the party has now resumed its fundraising efforts to support the victims and alleviate their suffering.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to go to Australia on Wednesday night for a weeklong personal visit to see his elder daughter. He is scheduled to depart from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Singapore Airlines flight at approximately 11:55 pm, his personal assistant M Yunus Ali told UNB on Wednesday. “Sir (Fakhrul) is going to meet his daughter and her family members, as his wife, Rahat Ara Begum, is currently staying there,” he said. Yunus also said the BNP Secretary General will return home with his wife after their weeklong stay in Australia. Fakhrul's eldest daughter, Dr Shamaruh Mirza, is a medical scientist who has been living in Canberra, Australia, since 2006. While she is a doctor, Shamaruh is primarily recognised as a women's organiser. In 2017, she co-founded SiTara’s Story to provide women from diverse backgrounds a safe space to discuss their challenges and gain confidence. The organisation allows women to talk about stigmatized topics without fear, form support networks, and empower themselves. In 2021, SiTara’s Story received the ACT Mental Health Month award, and Shamaruh was a finalist for the Canberra Community Spirits Award. In 2022, she was honored with Australia’s prestigious award ‘Australian of the Year’.

Stating that Bangladesh is an example of communal harmony, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said that their party, if returns to power, will ensure justice through proper investigations and trials for all incidents of persecution against Hindus. During a visit to the Puja mandap at Dhakeshwari Temple on the first day of Durga Puja, he also expressed the BNP's sympathy for the eight-point demands of the Hindu community. “We’re considering the eight-point that you mentioned...we have our full sympathy for the core issue of the eight-point demand. We can tell you this, just as we have supported you in every problem in the past, we’ll continue to stand by you in the future as well," Fakhrul said. In an oblique reference to the Awami League, the BNP leader said this is unfortunate but true that the members of a particular political party, which claims to be the greatest savior of the minority community, have been involved in all the incidents of repression that have occurred against them in the past. BNP seeks election roadmap, new EC based on political consensus “They (AL men) were also behind the incidents involving the occupation of land and property belonging to your community (Hindu’s) in Bangladesh. If our party forms the government in the future, each incident will be investigated impartially, and justice will be ensured,” he said. At the beginning, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary and daily Kalbela editor Santosh Sharma highlighted the eight-point demand of their community, calling for justice and exemplary punishment for the injustices and abuses suffered by minorities. Fakhrul said some foreign media are spreading propaganda against the communal harmony of Bangladesh with biased and false reports to undermine the political changeover following the fall of the Awami League through a mass uprising. “I won't say nothing happened. Some of the incidents that happened were not communal in nature but political incidents.” The BNP leader recounted how their party leaders and activists struggled for 15 years against the Awami League government, enduring repression, killings, enforced disappearances and imprisonment in false cases. He paid tribute to the more than 1,500 people who were martyred during the recent mass uprising and called upon the government to provide compensation for the martyrs and support for their families. Fakhrul, on behalf of the BNP and its chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, extended greetings to the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has put forward a comprehensive set of 41 proposals for state reform, including key changes to the judiciary, the abolition of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and police law reforms. The party also called for increasing the age limit for government jobs to 35 years and raising the retirement age to 62. Jamaat seeks reform first for successful elections The proposals were unveiled today by Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher during a press conference at the Westin hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan. Jamaat's Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, was also present at the event. Jamaat Amir calls for national unity At the outset of his speech, Dr. Taher prayed for those who lost their lives during the July-August movement, calling on Allah to accept them as martyrs. He accused the Awami League of establishing authoritarian control over the country, saying, "Awami League entrenched its power through dictatorship, capturing the administration, executive branch, and judiciary. Thousands of cases were filed to create a reign of oppression." AL's remnants still actively hatching conspiracies against interim govt: Jamaat Secretary General Dr. Taher emphasized the need for a separation between the judiciary and the executive branch. “To ensure justice, the judiciary must be reformed,” he said, adding that civil cases should be resolved within five years and criminal cases within three years. Restoration of Caretaker Government and EVM Abolition Jamaat-e-Islami also reiterated its demand for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system for national elections, accusing the Awami League of dismantling the electoral process. "The ruling party destroyed the electoral system by abolishing the caretaker government," the party said, stressing the need for its permanent restoration and the cancellation of the EVM system. Police Reforms and Accountability The party also called for reforms in police laws, proposing the creation of an independent commission for transfers and promotions to eliminate political interference. Dr. Taher advocated for incorporating religious and moral education into police training and reducing the use of lethal weapons. Reforms in Government Employment On government employment, Jamaat proposed that job applications should be free of charge and that the maximum age limit for entry into government jobs be raised to 35 years for the next two years and then set permanently at 33 years, with retirement at 62. The party also demanded the cancellation of appointments obtained through leaked examination papers or corruption. Strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to operate independently was another key recommendation. Term Limits for Prime Ministers Jamaat proposed a two-term limit for anyone holding the office of Prime Minister, advocating for a balance of power between the Prime Minister and the President. Cultural and Educational Reforms The party also suggested reforms in the cultural and educational sectors, recommending the inclusion of teachings about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in all levels of education. They further called for the elimination of obscenity in films, television dramas, and digital content. Foreign Relations and Hajj Costs On foreign policy, Dr. Taher emphasized the importance of fair and balanced relations with neighboring countries, particularly on shared rivers with China, Nepal, and India. Jamaat also urged the government to take effective steps to reduce the costs of Hajj and Umrah for pilgrims. Accountability for Genocide Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded that those involved in genocide who had fled the country be brought back and tried in court. Election vs. Reform: Jamaat’s Roadmap When asked about the sequence of elections and reforms, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that there would be two roadmaps—one for reforms and one for elections. He emphasized that neither process should be excessively long or rushed, noting, “There are many political parties in the country. For a vibrant parliament, the public must vote for the right candidates, not just the party.”

BNP senior joint secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday asked the interim government to identify the allies of the fallen dictator in the administration as soon as they may push the country towards a dangerous situation. “If the dictator’s insects remain there in the administration that instigated Sheikh Hasina to shoot the protesting students, they will hinder you (this interim govt) on every step. Identify them very quickly,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while talking to reporters during the BNP’s leaflet distribution campaign to raise public awareness on dengue prevention in the city’s Gulshan area. He also urged the government to place the pro-democratic and talented individuals in different posts of the administration, who were impartial not considering their political affiliation in the past. “Otherwise, they (insects of the dictator) will lead the country to a dangerous situation. Because, there is a special superpower behind them,” he said, adding they are under the shelter of the superpower. The BNP leader harshly criticised Tapashee Tabassum Urmi, an executive magistrate of Lalmonirhat district administration, for calling Abu Sayed who made supreme sacrifice during the student-people mass uprising as a terrorist. “The persons like them (Urmis) are there in different positions of the administration,” he said, adding that the allies of this dictator will want to make sure that a government which is formed on the basis of a revolution or mass movement fails. asked all to be vigilant to prevent the reemergence of the fallen dictator as the return of Sheikh Hasina would lead the country to be a killing ground.“The return of Sheikh Hasina or the resurgence of Sheikh Hasina means that the country will be a terrible killing ground. So, the interim government should immediately carry out the necessary reform tasks and move towards a free and fair election so that this killing ground is not created,” he said. The BNP leader said this government should create a proper atmosphere for holding a free and fair election without taking too much time. He said Awami League leaders looted and siphoned a huge amount of money from the country and now they are trying to create instability in the country by spending the money. Rizvi said Sajeeb Wazed Joy hired a lobbyist firm in Singapore to advocate in favour of them. “They have a lot of money,” he said. BNP leaders Dr Rafiqul Islam and Nazim Uddin Alam were, among others, present. On Sunday last, BNP started a leaflet distribution campaign to raise public awareness for preventing dengue in different places of the capital.

The Awami League on Tuesday called on its leaders, workers, and all those who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War to work together and preserve Bangladesh’s traditional communal harmony. In a post on its verified Facebook page, the Awami League extended greetings to the people of the Hindu community and the entire nation on the occasion of Durga Puja. “We hope that Durga Puja will be celebrated in Bangladesh with communal harmony, preserving the country’s traditions by confronting all fears, threats, and hostility,” the post stated. The Awami League has taken to the social media platform after the fall of its government in the August 5 mass upheaval. The party acknowledged that this year’s Durga Puja has arrived during a particularly unsettling time in Bangladesh. Due to the unfavorable situation, many have canceled their Puja celebrations, it alleged. It further alleged that recent incidents such as idol vandalism, extortion attempts targeting Puja committees, warnings against playing microphones during Puja, and bans on cultural events have created concerns within the community. The Awami League claimed that followers of all religions are experiencing various forms of intimidation, with these incidents occurring openly, often in front of the administration. “There is no one to take care of them. As a result, the Hindu community is in a state of panic, and this fear has far-reaching effects. In such circumstances, some have been forced to leave the country to protect their lives,” it stated. The post noted that many within the Hindu community fear that their temples or worshippers may be attacked during Durga Puja. The communal violence being witnessed today is described as worse than what occurred around the partition of the country in 1947. “BNP-Jamaat also came to power in 2001 and carried out violent attacks on the Hindu community. The current incidents remind us of those dark days. All these horrific events are happening with the direct complicity of the government,” the post added. The post emphasized that Awami League president Sheikh Hasina believes that every religious festival is for all citizens. “Bangladesh Awami League has always upheld the core values of a non-communal Bangladesh and played an active role in fostering communal harmony.”

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said if the fallen dictator is rehabilitated, the people will not be able to live in the country. “If those who created the culture of enforced disappearances and killings and Ayna Ghar (secret prison) are rehabilitated, then people will not be able to live in this country," he said. Rizvi made the remarks while talking to reporters during the distribution of BNP’s leaflets among people to raise awareness for preventing dengue in the city’s Elephant Road area. He said if the fallen dictator is rehabilitated, this country will be the sanctuary of killers. “It would be a graveyard of democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of expression forever here,” he claimed, asking all to be alert against the dictator. The BNP leader questioned the appointment of a new foreign secretary saying that when the person was the Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar used to harass BNP supporters and didn’t renew their visas considering their political affiliation. “If those who have played an active role in suppressing the opposition by supporting fascists like Sheikh Hasina are placed in important positions today, if they are appointed as secretaries of important ministries like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then this government will face questions," he said. He said they respect Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, but he needs to look into this matter and uphold the trust of people in him. “Who is making the ambassador in Qatar as the foreign secretary?” said Rizvi. BNP's volunteer affairs secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu and its health affairs secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, were, among others, present. On Sunday last, BNP started a leaflet distribution campaign to raise public awareness for preventing dengue in different places of the capital.