politics
Zia initiated culture of impunity through indemnity against Bangabandhu's killers: Joy
Lamenting the disgraceful inclusion of the indemnity of Bangabandhu's killers in the fifth amendment to the constitution, Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy has termed it as the beginning of the culture of impunity.
"Today is notorious July 9. On this day in 1979, this indemnity act against humanity was passed in the parliament, initiating the culture of impunity in the country," wrote Joy from his verified Facebook account.
Following the darkest chapter in independent Bangladesh, the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975, the indemnity ordinance was introduced on September 26 in the same year, paving the path for Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad to take over with the help of Bangabandhu's killers, he added.
Also read: Cheerful PM’s photo with Joy, Putul from Padma Bridge takes netizens by storm
According to the indemnity ordinance, no one involved in Bangabandhu's murder or its conspiracy could be tried in lower court, Supreme court, or court martial.
Thus Bangladesh’s first military dictator Ziaur Rahman turned the ordinance into an act, denying people's basic rights to get justice, he further said.
The killers were protected and rewarded through the indemnity ordinance. Even some of them were endowed with embassy jobs while some became members of the parliament in 1988, he wrote in the post accompanied by a video.
Also read: Future of Bangladesh hinges much on Padma Bridge: Joy
The stigma was finally eradicated by the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which scapped the act on November 12, 1996, he concluded.
AL-backed syndicates make Eid holidaymakers suffer with extortion, harassment: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday alleged that the Eid holidaymakers are facing many ordeals while travelling to their village homes due to anarchy in the transport sector fueled by ruling party-backed syndicates.
"People from the metropolitan cities are returning to villages to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. But the anarchy in transport fares fueled by the government syndicates and the limitless misery on the roads are spoiling the joy of the Eid holidaymakers," he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP's Nayapaltan Central Office, Rizvi also said the Awami League's transport and ticket syndicates have become active during Eid to make quick bucks.
Read: AL can’t earn people’s trust even with 1000 Padma bridges: BNP
He said the transport syndicates are charging two-three times extra fares from the homebound people ahead of Eid. "The ruling party's influential leaders get a share of this money. Extortion, traffic jams and harassment continue on the roads and highways for a lack of monitoring."
The BNP leader also slammed the government for public suffering caused by frequent power outages. "Why are we now experiencing horrible load-shedding during the tenure of this government which could produce surplus electricity?"
After lighting the Padma Bridge with so many lights, Rizvi said, the ministers are now saying that the wedding ceremonies should be finished by 7pm without any illumination.
It is now being recommended to cut the office hours due to the power crisis, he added. "So, there's no doubt that the country is heading for bankruptcy like Sri Lanka."
Read: Country heading for deep economic crisis: BNP warns
The BNP leader also said when people are struggling to cope with skyrocketing prices of daily essentials, the government has increased the price of water by 5 percent. "The state minister for power already said the price of fuel oil will go up. Earlier, the prices of electricity and gas were increased."
He alleged that the ruling party leaders are indulging in corruption in every sector, leaving people in misery. "The country is now under the grasp of the ruling party quarters."
The BNP leader called upon the people to get united to save the country and establish a pro-people government through a strong street movement.
Country heading for deep economic crisis: BNP warns
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Wednesday warned that Bangladesh is likely to face a deepening economic crisis like Sri Lanka though the government is now trying to hush up the reality.
Speaking at a discussion, he also blamed the government’s alleged mismanagement and wrong policy for the current power crisis in the country.
Read: AL can’t earn people’s trust even with 1000 Padma bridges: BNP
"We’re now going through the power and economic crisis, though the government is trying to cover it up. But you will see one day or another that our situation could be even worse than it is now in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said even those who belong to the government are now saying that even though Bangladesh’s condition is still not the same as in Sri Lanka, but it may happen in the future.
He alleged that the government is ruining the country’s economy by indulging in massive corruption in the name of mega projects. “Our banks are struggling with bad loans. Although there is no rule to borrowing from the reserves, loans have been given from there secretly…this economy of looters won’t last long.”
The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life to get united to save the country by ensuring the fall of the current government through a strong street movement. “People want a change in government and they don't want to see this regime in power anymore,” he said.
Jatiyatabadi Nobin Dal, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
Read:BNP leaders, activists being obstructed from distributing flood relief: Tuku
About the current power crisis, he said the country has been witnessing frequent power outages for a few days as the government did not take any step to ensure the necessary gas supply for the generation of required electricity.
“I would like to ask the Prime Minister why the load-shedding returns now that you claimed to have sent to the museum. What happened to your bragging now? The load-shedding is now affecting the economy,” the BNP leader observed.
He said the power crisis has been created as the government started importing gas instead of increasing its local production to meet the demand of the power plants.
"The government has not taken any step over the last 14 years regarding the extraction and distribution of the gas from which we generate electricity. They have relied on gas imported from abroad,” the BNP leader alleged.
He also slammed the government for depending on the rental power plants and said the government did it to appease a syndicate and allow them to make money. "That’s why the price of per unit of electricity is now over Tk10 which was below Tk2 during our government."
AL can’t earn people’s trust even with 1000 Padma bridges: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the Awami League government will not be able to earn the confidence of people even if it builds a thousand Padma bridges keeping 'democracy besieged.
"Hold a credible election to see how much confidence people have in you (govt). Ayub Khan also carried out development activities during the Pakistan period. There’s no point of constructing a thousand Padma bridges if there is no democracy and political emancipation of people and if they don't have voting and other rights,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office reacting to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent comment that people are giving Awami league votes again and again as they have confidence in her government.
Read: BNP leaders, activists being obstructed from distributing flood relief: Tuku
He questioned how the government gained people’s confidence by rigging votes the night before the election day and by depriving people of their voting rights.
Reiterating their party’s stance on the next polls, the BNP leader said their party will participate in the election if it is held under a non-party neutral government.
"A neutral and non-partisan government is a must for a free and fair election in Bangladesh. Otherwise, even if you bring the election commissioners from heaven, you won’t have a credible election. “It’s impossible,” he observed.
Fakhrul who recovered from Covid infection recently came up with the outcome of their party’s standing committee meeting at the press conference.
He said their standing committee meeting feels that the government has completely failed to stand by the affected people in the flood-hit areas. “It could not reach adequate relief materials among people. There’s no visible activity by the government for rehabilitating flood victims.
The BNP leader said the meeting demanded the government immediately take steps for ensuring food, clothes, medical treatment and construction of houses for the affected people.
He said their standing committee members expressed serious resentment as the Planning Minister himself admitted that the 6th Population and Housing Census was not done properly across the country.
“It has never been possible to get the actual information through all kinds of surveys and studies during the tenure of the current government as data collection are done as per its instructions… as a result, international organisations can’t trust all the information and data of Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said.
About the sudden rise in load-shedding, Fakhrul said people across the country have been experiencing terrible power outages. “The frequent power cuts have proved that the government’s comments on cent percent electricity coverage are just rhetoric.
He said the government set up quick-rental power plants with the main goal to make their pockets heavier by indulging in corruption.
The BNP leader said the frequent power cuts are signs that Bangladesh is moving towards a fragile condition.
Read:BNP blames govt for fresh spike in Covid cases
Fakhrul said their meeting observed that the real foreign exchange reserves now stand at 34.02 billion as $7.5billion loans from the reserves were given to the influential persons close to the government high-ups in the name of the Export Development Fund (EDF).
They said these are forced loans given by the state-owned banks and the IMF has suggested not to including this amount of money in foreign exchange reserves.
The meeting also observed that the $7.5 billion are unlikely to return as foreign currency to the country's foreign exchange reserves.
The government is doing this terrible damage to the country by violating all the rules and regulations of the economy and the reserves only for the benefit of its own close and influential people.
He said the influential people did huge damage to the country's economy by siphoning off foreign currency abroad from the country in the name of EDF loans. “Economists fear that the far-reaching effects of such loans will bankrupt the social economy and the economy as a whole.”
The BNP leader said their meeting voiced deep concern over the EDF loans from the serves and decided to present a report with detailed information on the issue.
BNP leaders, activists being obstructed from distributing flood relief: Tuku
BNP on Monday alleged that while people in the flood-affected northeast region have been crying for food and medicines, the party is being obstructed from carrying out relief efforts by the ruling party and law enforcers.
“The air in the country’s Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions has become heavy with cries of the flood victims, but the government’s assistance for them is extremely inadequate,” said party standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he called upon all to come forward to serve humanity rising above politics at this bad time in the country.
Also read: BNP for permanent solution to recurring floods in Sylhet region
As a party of people, the Tuku said BNP has already stood by the flood-hit people in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Feni, Netrokona and Kurigram.
He bemoaned that the ruling party activists and police have been obstructing the BNP leaders and activists from distributing relief materials among the flood victims.
Tuku, the convener of BNP’s relief committee, said people in the flood-hit areas are starving for lack of food and they are suffering from various diseases for lack of treatment and medicines.
“At this time, they (AL activists) are impeding the distribution of relief materials by BNP. They are attacking our preparatory meeting on relief distribution with sticks and firearms, injuring our leaders and workers while police are foiling our programmes,” he said.
The BNP leader said people are venting their anger by saying that they are not getting relief from the government.
Apart from relief, he said people are facing an acute shortage of medicines due to the outbreak of the water-borne disease.
“Skin diseases are now seriously spreading in the flood-hit Haor areas. For lack of medicine, flood victims are applying turmeric and kerosene oil to their bodies. I saw it with my own eyes. It can’t be understood the real scenario without visiting the areas. The situation there is terrible there,” Tuku observed.
He said the government is not giving attention to the sufferings of the flood victims. “The welfare of the people is no longer the goal of this regime. Their focus is on mega projects from where they make a hefty profit.”
Also read: BNP blames govt for fresh spike in Covid cases
The BNP leader claimed that their party leaders and activists have already helped over one lakh flood-hit families with relief materials and in various ways, including moving the victims to flood shelters, providing treatment, medicines, making houses and giving the farmers seeds. “We’ve continued these activities.”
Fakhrul’s demand to restore democracy frightens people: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said the demand of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for bringing democracy back frightens the people of the country.
“Because, the terrible fire violence they carried out on the people in the name of the movement to bring back democracy is still fresh in the minds of the people,” he said in a statement sent to the media.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridge Minister, protested and condemned the ‘regular false, baseless and fabricated’ remarks of Fakhrul.
Also read: AL won’t be allowed to retain power by’rigging’ votes again: Mintoo
He said Fakhrul is committing the crime of violating the constitution by calling the present government, which is constitutionally valid and elected by the votes of the people, as an illegal government frequently.
Quader said the AL, manifested in the spirit of the Great War of Liberation, is determined to strengthen the democratic values of this country. Democracy has not been lost in the country and so, it doesn’t need to be restored, he said.
Rather, all the activities of the BNP have been running against the democratic values since its formation. BNP had formed not only by the destruction of democracy but also by spoiling the spirit of the great Liberation War, said the AL general secretary.
He said Fakhrul is making ill-attempt to raise hollow voice in politics by talking about the ‘fictitious cases’. “During the tenure of the present government, the law enforcement agencies of the country did not file any fictitious case against anyone,” said Quader.
While in power, BNP was identified as a political party alienated from the people due to its anti-people stance by spreading corruption and boasting of power, he said.
Also read: AL in favour of using EVMs in national election: Quader
He further said that the democracy of Bangladesh stands on a solid foundation under the leadership of successful statesman Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina.
All the activities of the Awami League government are being run reflecting the aspirations of the people through which the rule of the people and the democratic journey is moving forward, he said.
“No conspiracy of any evil force can obstruct the progress of Bangladesh. Under the leadership of the daughter of Bangabandhu, we’ll be able to build the country as a happy, prosperous, developed and welfare state for the next generations,” said Quader.
BNP leader Fakhrul recovers from Covid-19
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has tested negative for Covid-19, eight days after contracting the virus.
“The BNP secretary general underwent the Covid test on Saturday and his report has now come out negative,” said party vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Also read: Mirza Fakhrul contracts Covid-19
He also said though Fakhrul recovered from the Covid infection, he is still feeling weak physically.
The BNP leader will start participating in the party’s programmes on Tuesday, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP's media cell.
He said Fakhrul will join a programme of the party's relief committee as the chief guest at its chairperson’s office at 12noon on Tuesday.
On June 25, the BNP leader tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time and received treatment in isolation at his Uttra home under the supervision of medicine specialist Dr Raihan Rabbani.
Also read: AL govt has become enemy of people: Fakhrul
Earlier on January 11 last, Fakhrul and his wife Rahat Ara Begum were infected with coronavirus.
No one from JP inquired about my condition during stay in hospital: Raushon
Leader of the Opposition in parliament Raushon Ershad on Saturday bemoaned that no one from the Jatiya Party inquired about her condition during her long stay at a hospital in Thailand.
Speaking at a views exchange meeting with party leaders and activists at a hotel in the city, she also said Jatiya Party has been in a mess following the death of its founder and her husband HM Ershad.
“I had been under treatment for over long six months at a hospital in Thailand. No one from the party inquired about me. But I inquired about all,” the opposition leader said.
She, however, said two, who were expelled from the party, tried to know her health condition and arranged different prayer sessions at mosques and other worship places seeking her recovery.
Also read: Raushon Ershad returns home from Thailand
Raushon, also the chief patron of the Jatiya Party, said Jatiya Party could have been in a different position had HM Ershad remained alive.
She said it is necessary to bring back those who have been left out of the Jatiya Party or left the party at different times. “Otherwise, we will fall far behind.”
Besides, the Jatiya Party leader said the new generation needs to be inducted into the party to make it as stronger as Awami League and BNP. “Or else, we won’t be able to survive in politics. ”
She also said the organizational strength of the Jatiya Party will have to be enhanced with the united efforts of all its leaders and activists.
Raushon said she could not hold back her tears seeing so many people there at the airport to greet her as she returned home.
Earlier on June 27, Raushon returned home from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, after nearly seven and a half months of stay there for medical treatment.
She also joined the Parliament session on Thursday.
Her son Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad MP (Rangpur-3) his mother is now fine, but very weak.
“She has problems in her legs and still can’t walk properly. It may take time for her to gain back her strength. She needs more physiotherapy,” he said.
Saad said Raushon will also go to Bangkok for follow-up treatment on July 4 next.
On November 5 last year, Raushon was flown to Thailand by an air ambulance as her health condition turned critical.
Also read: Raushon doing well, set to return home Monday: GM Quader
Earlier, Raushon Ershad, 78, underwent treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) as she fell ill seriously due to old age complications.
BNP for permanent solution to recurring floods in Sylhet region
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Saturday emphasized on taking effective steps including the construction of sustainable dams as a permanent solution to recurring floods in the country’s Sylhet region.
“Effective initiatives need to be taken to find a permanent solution so that the people of this (Sylhet) region do not face such catastrophic floods in the future,” he said.
The BNP leader said dredging rivers and digging canals are necessary to keep the normal flow of water from the mouths of different rivers to the downstream areas. “Besides, sustainable dams must be built at some points so that a vast area in downstream is not submerged during the rainy season.”
Also read: BNP blames govt for fresh spike in Covid cases
He hoped that BNP, if it returns to power, will take effective initiatives to end the problem of repeated flood in the region.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said these while talking to reporters after distributing relief materials among the flood victims at Lalpur Bazar in the Sadar Upazila arranged by Bangladesh Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum.
He said BNP leaders and activists have been distributing relief materials as per the directives of their acting chairman Tarique Rahman from the beginning of the flood.
“Around 40 percent people of the country still remain marooned, but the ruling Awami League is not standing by them. In fact, it’s not the government of the people. This is a government for money launderers and women traffickers. So, BNP is now there beside the flood victims as a party of people,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: AL won’t be allowed to retain power by’rigging’ votes again: Mintoo
Slamming the government for what he said indulging in repressive acts, Gayeshwar said, BNP leaders and activists have become helpless as they have long been subjected to killings, enforced disappearances, attacks and ‘false’ cases.
He called upon people from all walks of life to get united and wage a strong movement to get rid of ‘misrule’ of the current regime and establish a pro-people government through a credible election under a non-party administration.
BNP blames govt for fresh spike in Covid cases
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Friday alleged that the country has been witnessing a fresh surge in Covid cases because of the government’s negligence to take proper preventive measures.
"Coronavirus has been spreading in the country for the fourth time. This is happening due to the negligence of the government,” he said.
Read: Govt apathy compounds flood victims’ miseries: BNP
Speaking at a milad-mahfil, the BNP leader said China was experiencing a new wave of virus transmission, which was a wake-up call for the Bangladesh government to take effective preventive measures. ”But it (govt) did nothing. It didn't pay any attention to it.”
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, bemoaned that many people, including BNP leaders, are getting infected with the Coronavirus due to the government’s failure and carelessness.
Dhaka south city unit BNP arranged the programme on the ground floor of the party's Nayapaltan central office seeking divine blessing for the speedy recovery of ailing BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Khaleda has long been suffering from various diseases, including liver cirrhosis and blockages in her arteries while Fakhrul has recently been infected with Covid-19.
About the flood, Musharraf said while people are already going through serious ordeals in the affected areas, water levels in different rivers are increasing, causing a fresh worry. “It’s happening due to the onrush of water from upstream India where dams were constructed on the common rivers.”
He said India opened all the gates of barrages during heavy downpours in the rainy season, inundating many areas in Bangladesh.
Read:AL keen on EVM use to manipulate polls in new way: BNP
“When we don't need water, we are flooded and when we need it, the rivers of Bangladesh do not have normal flow due to those dams. Our rivers are turning into dead ones and our agriculture, our biodiversity is being utterly destroyed,” the BNP leader observed.
He said the government should have talked to India and asked it not to divert waters of different rivers to Bangladesh when it is experiencing severe floods. “But they can’t do this because of their knee-jerk foreign policy."
“The government is sacrificing the national interests just to hang onto power. This is not the government of the people which hardly cares about people. It only cares about its own interests,” Mosharraf said.
He urged people from all walks of life to get united to ensure the fall of the current regime and establish a pro-people government through a credible election under a non-party administration.