politics
Journalists want apex court to pave way for Khaleda’s treatment abroad
A group of pro-BNP journalists on Monday called upon the country’s apex court to grant bail to ‘critically’ ill BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at its own initiative paving the way for her advanced medical care abroad.
They made the call while addressing a human-chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
Pro-BNP factions of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of journalists (DUJ) arranged the programme demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
Speaking at the programme, former BFUJ president Shawkat Mahmud alleged that Khaleda has been pushed towards death by keeping her in jail after convicting her in ‘false’ cases.
Also read: Khaleda can fly in any foreign doctor for treatment: FM
“She was not given proper treatment there (in jail). We think she fell sick because of political vengeance. She’s now in between life and death. So, we urge the judges of the High Court to grant bail to Khaleda Zia on their own initiative,” he said.
Shawkat said the apex court has the authority to give bail to Khaleda as it did the same thing in the past regarding some ministers.
He also called upon the journalists to raise their voice to mount pressure on the government to allow the BNP chief to go abroad. “If necessary, we’ll take to the streets to realise the demand.”
Jatiya Press Club Vice-President Poet Hasan Hafiz said it is unfortunate that a former prime minister is being deprived of receiving advanced medical care overseas.
He also crticised the Awami League leaders for what he said making ‘derogatory' comments about Khaleda’s illness. “Such an attitude of the ruling party in an independent country can’t be accepted. There’s still time for the ruling party to release Khaleda Zia for treatment. I hope good sense will prevail upon them.”
Hasan Hafiz thanked renowned Poet Nirmalendu Goon as he gave a status on Facebook wishing recovery of the BNP chief.
“I appreciate Nirmalendu Goon for his courage. It has reflected that those who have a minimum conscience can’t support the inhuman and brutal attitude (towards Khaleda),” he observed.
DUJ president Kader Gani Chowdhury said it touched the hearts of many people the way Khaleda’s doctors narrated her critical health condition on Sunday.
Recalling Khaleda’s many contributions to the country, he alleged that efforts are on to kill the BNP chief in a planned way.
“Laws are enacted not to annihilate anyone, but to save lives, maintain law and order and protect civilization. On behalf of the journalist community, we would like to urge the court to take initiatives to protect the life of Begum Khaleda Zia,” Gani said.
Also read: Khaleda free, not in govt custody: Law Minister
BFUJ President M Abdullah said people have got worried hearing the briefing of doctors on Khaleda’s fragile health condition. We, the journalist community, urge the government to take steps for sending Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November.
Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda urgently needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
Sending Khaleda abroad essential for peace, stability: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said it is essential to send their party chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment for the sake of peace and stability in the country.
"We’re placing our demand peacefully. We’ve been repeatedly calling upon you (govt) to send her (Khaleda) abroad for treatment. We don’t understand where’s the problem? You’re talking about the law and giving its wrong interpretation,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, he also said their chairperson needs treatment abroad as there is no such advanced centre in the country to treat her. “No one, except our leader Khaleda Zia, can bring peace, stability and restore democracy in the country. So, send her abroad for treatment.”
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
About the BNP chief’s health condition, Fakhrul said she is still critically ill and doctors are working hard to save her life.
He said the government is not willing to allow Khaleda to go abroad as it fears she will again raise her voice against corruption, anti-people activities and work for establishing people’s rights returning home after her recovery from illness.
The BNP leader claimed that Khaleda was convicted in ‘false’ cases through staging a farce in the name of justice.
Fakhrul said there is no legal barrier for the government to send the BNP chief abroad for treatment. “As per section 401 (of the Criminal Code of Procedures) it is only the government which can send her overseas.”
He alleged that Law Minister Anisul Huq is confusing people by giving a ‘false’ explanation of section 401.
Also read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from liver, kidney and heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
‘Entente’ behind transport sector chaos: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday raised a question in parliament whether “government authorities” have made any ‘entente’ with transport sector leaders.
“The reports on charging extra fares, harassing passengers and various irregularities in the transport sector are regularly run by the media… who’s actually controlling the transport sector--the government or the transport owners, or the workers--?” he questioned.
While delivering the valedictory speech in the 15th session of the 11th parliament, the Jatiya Party chief also wanted to know, “Who are working to protect the interests of people in an important sector like transport? Is there any entente between the government authorities and the leaders of this sector? Many people make such an allegation.”
Also read: Road anarchy over bus fares must be stopped: GM Quader
GM Quader, also Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, was seen smiling while raising the question standing beside his party MP Moshiur Rahman Ranga, president of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners 'Association.
He said it is only natural that transport owners may demand an increase in bus fares due to the rise in fuel prices but people were subjected to inhuman sufferings as a transport strike was imposed without any prior notice.
The Jatiya Party chairman also did not find any justification behind the suspension of services by gas-run buses.
He said Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), which is responsible for building a modern and disciplined road transport system, should have taken effective punitive action against those who disrupted the road transport system by going on strike without any notice.
He said the BRTA fixed new fares for the diesel-run buses as per their demand, but both the gas-run and diesel-run buses are taking extra fares from the passengers.
GM Quader also said the students’ current demand for ensuring half bus fare for them is a justified one.
Also read: No one to look into public sufferings: GM Quader
He said students in different countries travel by public transport at lower fares than usual. “This system was in practice in our country in the past.”
He hoped that the authorities concerned will implement the issue of half fares for students as soon as possible either by enacting a law or an executive order.
In his speech, GM Quader made a demand for introducing retirement benefits for the MPs. “We’ve many MPs serving people for 20-25 years as their representative. In many countries, MPs are given retirement support. I demand that such arrangements be made in our country, “he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said similar benefits can also be introduced for mayors, councilors, chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of local government bodies.
People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday warned that there will be a mass upsurge in the country if anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia for lack of treatment as people will not remain silent.
"People won’t play the role of a silent spectator, if you (govt) kill the most popular leader of the country, Begum Khaleda Zia, without treatment,” he told a human-chain programme.
The BNP leader said people will not accept the conspiracy of the government against Khaleda Zia as they did not accept the Agartala “conspiracy” case in the past. “There’ll be a mass uprising, and the movement will be carried out in a democratic process.”
He urged people to get ready to intensify BNP’s current movement in a peaceful manner.
Read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul
Jatiya Party (Qazi Zafar), one of the allies of the 20-party alliance, arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said physicians at the largest hospital in Bangladesh are saying Khaleda has some complications that cannot be treated here while prominent lawyers are saying there is no legal bar to sending her abroad for advanced treatment under the current situation.
“But the government, which has been in power without people’s votes, won’t allow our leader to go outside the country for advanced treatment. Where the law is not a barrier and humanity is needed, what’s the justification of obstructing her (from going abroad)?” he questioned.
Read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul
The BNP leader alleged that the government is not willing to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment out of political vengeance. “They (govt) are now using the state machinery and the state power to take their political revenge.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital for various health complications, including that of liver, cardiac and kidneys, since November 13.
Now people call us “collaborators” for overpraising govt: Chunnu
Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Saturday said people call them ‘Dalal’ (collaborators) as they overpraise the government.Chunnu, also secretary general of the main opposition in parliament, came up with the statement as Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader criticized the opposition MPs for not praising the government for its various successes and development activities in the road and transport sector.Earlier, participating in discussions on the Highway Bill-2021, several opposition MPs of both BNP and Jatiya Party came down heavily on the minister for recent fatal road accidents, anarchic situation and corruption in the transport sector.Responding to the criticisms, Obaidul Quader urged the opposition not only to oppose, but also to praise the good jobs of the government.
Also read: People fed-up with AL, BNP: Chunnu
Khaleda might have been subjected to “slow-poisoning”: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday suspected that their party chairperson Khaleda might have been subjected to slow-poisoning during her stay in Old Dhaka Central Jail.
“As part of a plot hatched during the 1/11 changeover, she (Khaleda) was sent to jail by convicting her in false cases. She was kept for about two years in an abandoned damp building of the Old Dhaka’s Central Jail where rats used to run around,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, he said the BNP chief was later taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from the jail, but she was not given proper treatment there.
“Many people have this question now: was there any arrangement for slow-poisoning Khaleda Zia on that day? We want to know this clearly. Nothing is impossible for them (govt).”
Also read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul
He said it is possible to do anything bad for the government when it could assume power by indulging in ‘vote robbery’ the night before the voting day, filing false cases against 35 lakh people, gunning down and maiming the pro-democracy leaders and activists, and making disappear around 500 opposition leaders and activists.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding Khaleda's treatment abroad.
Fakhrul called upon all, including their party leaders and activists, to take to the streets to force the government to allow Khaleda to go abroad.
“Khaleda Zia is now fighting for her life. Shall we stay indoors? We must put in our all-out efforts to save her life,” he said.
The BNP leader warned that the consequences will be dire if the government does not allow Khaleda to go abroad. "Let's be united in a stronger way and intensify our movement.”
Fakhrul said doctors at Evercare Hospital are saying they have no more capacity to treat the BNP chief as her condition turned so much critical.
”They’ve clearly said she (Khaleda) needs to be sent abroad immediately for her treatment. But Sheikh Hasina (PM) does not want to pay heed to it out of her vengeance. She’s conspiring to eliminate Khaleda Zia’s life, not only to remove her from politics,” he said.
The BNP leader said they know there has been international pressure on the government to send Khaleda abroad, but the Prime Minister is not willing to do so.
Also read: Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.
Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday threatened to wage a one-point movement seeking the fall of the government if Khaleda Zia is not allowed to go abroad for treatment.
“Our leader Khaleda Zia has been staying in a hospital with critical health problems. Doctors are saying it’s now essential for her to receive treatment abroad but that permission is not given,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader urged the government to take necessary steps so that the BNP chief can receive treatment in any advanced centre outside the country.
“We would like to say Begum Khaleda Zia be released immediately and given a scope to get treatment abroad. Otherwise, they‘ll have to face a one-point oust-government movement,” Fakhrul warned.
Read: No scope in law for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, says Home Minister
BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme, marking the 45th death anniversary of great national leader Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.
Fakhrul recalled Bhasani’s lifelong struggle for ensuring the rights of common and working people and said Bhasani is also one of the key leaders who played a major role in liberating the country.
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said people have been living in suffocating conditions. “People have got fed-up with the government as there is no democracy now and voting and other rights in the country.”
Read: Khaleda’s condition improves slightly: Physician
He alleged that Khaleda has been pushed towards death by sending her to jail “for no reason”.
The BNP leader urged all to get united for ousting the current government through a mass movement.
BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Biplobi Workers Party general secretary Saiful Haque, among others, spoke at the programme.
Govt should allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad: Reza Kibria
Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad Convenor Dr Reza Kibria on Saturday said the government should allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment for the sake of the country’s image.
“Khaleda Zia's treatment is a medical issue, not a political one. The government should take steps in this regard in consultation with her doctors. She should be given a scope for treatment abroad as an elderly woman, at least for the sake of the country’s image,” he said.
Read: Ready to make any sacrifice for Khaleda: Fakhrul
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Evercare Hospital in the capital where 76-year-old Khaleda was readmitted on November 13, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
Dr Reza Kibria along with some other leaders of Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad, including its member secretary Nurul Haque Nur, went to the hospital around 11:30am.
They could not meet Khaleda as she has been staying in Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital, but they talked to two doctors of the BNP chief and enquired them about her current condition.
Reza said doctors told them that Khaleda Zia is in a critical condition and she needs better treatment at any advanced centre abroad. “What I’ve understood is that Khaleda Zia needs to go to the USA for the treatment of some critical ailments.”
He hoped that the Prime Minister will soon take a positive decision in this regard. “If anything bad happens to a former Prime Minister for lack of treatment, it will dent the image of both the government and the country across the globe.”
Dr Reza also said Khaleda’s condition turned critical mainly for two reasons. “She was not given proper and timely treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University while some of her organs have been badly affected by post-Covid complications.”
Read: Shato Nagorik requests govt to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she makes a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Ready to make any sacrifice for Khaleda: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party leaders and activists are ready to make any sacrifice on the streets to ensure Khaleda’s advanced treatment abroad.
“Khaleda Zia is inseparably linked with the soil of this country. We must free our leader and ensure her treatment abroad. We’re ready to make any sacrifice for it,” he said.
Speaking at a mass hunger strike programme, the BNP leader also threatened to launch a strong movement to oust the government if their demand is not met immediately.
Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: Now BNP to hold rallies Monday
“From this programme, we would like to ask the government to take steps to immediately release our leader (Khaleda) and send her abroad for treatment. Or else, the movement that began today (Saturday) through the mass hunger strike will ensure your fall,” he said.
Fakhrul along with the party leaders and activists also took a vow raising their two hands that they would not return home leaving the movement unless Khaleda is completely freed and sent abroad for treatment.
As part of a countrywide programme, hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies began the hunger strike in front of their Nayapaltan central office at 9am, demanding that Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for advanced treatment.
Fakhrul said Khaleda is so sick that she is now in a condition between death and life. “We talked to doctors, including those from abroad. They said she (Khaleda) has already been provided with the treatments that are possible in Bangladesh. But she won’t recover if she is not given treatment at an advanced centre abroad for some critical problems.”
He said the BNP chief’s family submitted an application seeking persimmon to send her abroad for the treatment, but the government turned it down. “Moreover, the leader of the house talked in such a language over the matter is not acceptable in any way. The law minister also resorted to lies.”
The BNP leader said the government has the complete authority to allow the BNP chief to go abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC). “It’s their responsibility to take steps for her treatment outside the country.”
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said it is unfortunate that BNP has to stage a hunger strike programme demanding the better treatment of Khaleda Zia who made contributions to the Liberation War, restoration of democracy and development of the country.
Also read: BNP can bring foreign physicians for Khaleda: Law Minister
He alleged that it is the government, not the law, is a barrier to the release of Khaleda Zia and her treatment abroad. “Khaleda Zia is fighting for life because of the political vengeance of the Prime Minister.”
The BNP leader called upon the government to accept their party’s demand for Khaleda’s treatment, shunning foul politics.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abudr Rob said the government has the scope to send Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment. “I was sentenced to a life term in jail. But Ziaur Rahman sent me to Germany in 1979 from jail and I stayed there for a year.”
Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna slammed the government for not allowing ailing Khaleda to go abroad on humanitarian grounds.
He suggested BNP to continue the movement, braving all the barriers for ousting the government.
Later, BNP leaders broke the seven-hour hunger strike by sipping water offered by Dhaka University ex-Vice-chancellor Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury around 4pm.
Leaders of BNP’s alliance partners of the Jatiya Oikyafront and the 20-party also expressed solidarity with the party by joining the programme.
Shato Nagorik requests govt to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment
Shato Nagorik Committee, a platform of pro-BNP intellectuals and professionals, on Tuesday urged the government to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian grounds.
In a statement, they said former Prime Minister Khaleda is seriously ill and her condition is now very critical.
“We strongly request the government to allow the beloved leader of the people to go abroad for receiving the most sophisticated treatment as soon as possible purely one humanitarian grounds, shunning all forms of vengeance, narrow party and personal interests,” the statement reads.
It hoped that a sense of well-being would prevail upon the government to take steps for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, playing a responsible role with goodwill.
Also read: Khaleda has to go back to jail for permission to go abroad: Law Minister
“We fear that any kind of delay and excuse could lead to a catastrophe that would not carry a good message for anyone,” the statement warned.
Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury, Prof SMA Faiz, Prof Mahbub Ullah, Prof ZM Tahmida Begum, Prof Wakil Ahmed, Prof Manusur Musa, Prof Abdul Quddus, poet Abdul Hai Sikder, Prof Obaidul Islam, Prof Lutfar Rahman, Prof Rezaul Karim, Prof Iftekharul Alam Masud, Prof Kamrul Ahsan and Prof Farhad Halim Donar, among others, signed the statement.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former Prime Minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on Saturday six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
On behalf of the BNP chief’s family, her younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on Thursday urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Also read: Khaleda critically ill, says Fakhrul
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
A physician at her medical team said Khaleda is now suffering from a critical cardiac problem while her blood sugar is out of control and hemoglobin level in her blood has dropped.
The BNP chief’s family applied to the government twice in May and August earlier, seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government denied it, saying that there was no scope for a convict to get such an opportunity.