United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said the great figures in world history never created divisions among people, but instead preached universal human welfare by removing distinctions between social classes. “Great figures who have come to this world have shown us that path. They did not draw lines of division between people. They did not distinguish between the lower and upper classes. They spoke for the welfare of humanity by eliminating all forms of class discrimination,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and lantern festival organised at Dharmarajika Buddhist Mahavihara in Basabo in the capital on the occasion of the Buddhist community’s “Shubho Prabarana Purnima-2026” celebrations in the evening. He said if people of all religions followed, practised, accepted and embraced the teachings of Gautama Buddha, they could become morally upright individuals and help build a peaceful society characterised by mutual brotherhood and sincerity. “Such a society would be one of peace, prosperity and fraternity,” he said, adding that Gautama Buddha had preached the values needed to build such a society. “Gautama Buddha came for all humanity. His work was not meant for one particular religious community. Although a religious community may have developed around his teachings, his deeds set an example for all humanity, and his words are worthy of emulation by everyone,” Rizvi said. He said the occasion is not merely a religious ceremony or festival, as the word Prabarana carried various meanings and implications. Rizvi then referred to Gautama Buddha’s teaching, “Attadipa Bhava”, which he explained as a call to walk by the light within oneself. “Gautama Buddha gave humanity a profound message: walk by the light of your own inner self. When will that inner light become illuminated? When the mind is purified. Through purification of the mind, the light that emerges within us can guide us to recognise the right and straightforward path,” he said. Drawing a parallel with Islam, Rizvi said the Islamic concept of “Siratal Mustaqim” also called on people to follow the straight path. He said the message of becoming one’s own light and following the right path, as conveyed by great figures, had universal significance. Although Gautama Buddha established a religious community and a monastic order, Rizvi said his teachings were not confined to any single community. “His teachings are eternal and universal. They have crossed all religious boundaries and extended to all humanity. If we follow his deeds and teachings, they can contribute to the welfare of the entire human race,” he said. Rizvi also referred to an example from Gautama Buddha’s life involving a woman whom society regarded as morally fallen. He said Buddha accepted rice pudding from her despite the surprise of his disciples, who questioned the monk’s conduct. Through that act, Rizvi said, Buddha sought to teach that people considered inferior, superior or morally fallen all deserved a place in society. “There is no distinction between the small and the great. The person you hate is not necessarily beyond redemption. They, too, may one day realise their mistakes and find the right path,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Sunday accused the Election Commission of failing to exercise its constitutional powers to ensure a fair election in the face of political pressure ahead of the October 29 by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency. “The commission is helpless under political pressure,” he said at a press conference after a Jamaat delegation met the commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban, submitting nine written complaints and placing three demands over alleged electoral irregularities. He said the commission's response did not fully reassure the delegation, although the party remained hopeful and intended to contest the by-election. He alleged that local administration officials were favouring BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin, while complaints over election code violations and attacks on Jamaat activists were not being properly addressed. The Jamaat leader demanded the removal of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, accusing him of acting in favour of the BNP candidate, including through alleged campaign-related Facebook posts and meetings with the candidate. He also alleged that Jamaat activists, including women, had been assaulted and that Hindu voters were being threatened over their perceived support for Jamaat candidate Delwar Hossain. He further accused the BNP candidate's campaign of violating the election code by holding a meeting inside a mosque, using coloured campaign symbols; operating loudspeakers before the permitted time and organising free medical camps for voters. The party submitted photographs and other materials in support of its complaints, he said. Questioning the neutrality of the police, he argued that deploying large numbers of law enforcement personnel would not guarantee a credible election if they could not resist political pressure.  He urged the commission to deploy the army alongside police to ensure voter security and a fair polling environment. The party's three demands include an investigation into the allegations and legal action against those responsible, ensuring voter security, and deploying the army alongside police as necessary. The Jamaat leader also warned the authorities against repeating the circumstances of the controversial 1994 Magura by-election, which fuelled a broader political movement for a caretaker government system. Despite expressing concerns over the electoral environment, he said Jamaat had not decided to withdraw from the race and remained committed to contesting the by-election.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday rejected allegations that the party was forming an alliance with a “discarded fascist” force, calling the claim a political narrative aimed at misleading the public. “Now they are creating new narratives, claiming that we are joining hands with a discarded fascist force. Na'uzubillah (God forbid),” he said at a discussion arranged by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami marking the anniversary of the signing of the July National Charter at the Jatiya press club in the city. He alleged that the BNP had sought votes from the ousted Awami League during the election. “During the election, you indirectly sought votes from the Awami League. You are witnesses to this, along with Sheikh Hasina,” he said. The Jamaat chief also alleged that leaders and activists of the ousted Awami League and its affiliated organisations were being accommodated in important positions in society and within the BNP. He questioned the BNP’s credibility in accusing Jamaat of links with the former ruling party while allegedly maintaining connections with its leaders. Referring to allegation that money was coming from across the border to create instability, he questioned why the government could not stop it, along with the alleged entry of weapons and drugs. “If money comes from across the border, why are you in government? How does this money enter the country? Why can’t you stop it?” he said. Accusing the government of trying to divert attention from its shortcomings by blaming the opposition, he alleged that extortion, land grabbing and deteriorating law and order had made people's lives increasingly difficult. He also criticised the government for what he described as its failure to ensure fair prices for farmers and relief for ordinary people from rising living costs. Regarding the July National Charter referendum, he claimed that around 70 percent of voters had supported the ‘Yes’ option, reflecting public demand for political reforms. He accused the government of disregarding the referendum result and warned against attempts to implement the charter through constitutional amendments that could later be overturned by the courts. “We remain firm on our commitment to the people. Trusting in Almighty Allah, we can say that you will be compelled to implement the referendum,” he said. The Opposition Leader said Jamaat and its 11-party alliance were campaigning for people's rights rather than partisan demands, adding that their movement would remain peaceful and procedural.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Sunday accused the government of striking  a secret deal with India to destabilise the country’s hill regions. “The BNP came to power by striking a deal with India. Now it is destabilising the hills in the same way,” Nahid said at a public outreach programme in Mirpur-10 in the afternoon. Nahid alleged that BNP is maintaining a clandestine relationship with India, which he said is fuelling unrest in the hills and killing people along the border to put pressure on Bangladesh. “Whenever India wants to pressurise Bangladesh, it creates unrest through hill separatists, shoots people dead at the border, or else opens the sluice gates of some rivers,” he said. Expressing concern over the future of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, the NCP chief said, “We do not know what the government is thinking about the Ganges treaty. We have serious doubts about what kind of deal they will make with India.” Terming the government “illegitimate”, Nahid said it was refraining from implementing the referendum decision in defiance of the people’s verdict. “We wanted a radical overhaul of the constitution, but the government is amending it instead. They should remember that any future government can declare this amendment illegal at any time,” he said. He also claimed that by not enforcing the referendum verdict, the government is lending legitimacy to the Awami League. “The Awami League’s 10th, 11th and 12th parliaments are still legally valid. By not implementing the referendum, the Awami League is gaining legitimacy for its previous rule. Yet it is BNP that had been calling the Awami League illegitimate for years,” he said. Nahid said his party feared the Awami League would be rehabilitated at the BNP’s hands, with the BNP voluntarily creating space for it to return to politics. Launching a sharp attack on State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, Nahid alleged that he became a minister under Tarique Rahman’s “friend quota” and had since established a “fiefdom” in his own constituency. “He is now announcing mayoral candidates himself, which is completely illegal,” Nahid said. He also claimed that the current city corporation administrators could not take part in the upcoming local government elections in any way and all those now serving as administrators are illegitimate.

National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday dissolved the committee of its women’s wing, Jatiya Nari Shakti, and replaced it with a new three-member convening committee, tasking it with forming a full committee within 15 days. In a statement, the party said Mahmuda Alam Mitu, a lawmaker on a reserved women’s seat in Parliament, has been made convener of the new committee. Nusrat Tabassum, another reserved seat MP, has been appointed member secretary, while Monjila Jhuma has been given the responsibility of chief organiser. The party said the committee was formed on the “directive” of NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossen. According to the statement, the convening committee must form a full-fledged committee within the next 15 days. The last full convening committee of the NCP’s affiliated body was announced in April this year. The 53-member panel was headed by NCP Joint Convener Monira Sharmin as convener. Mitu, who has now been named convener, served as member secretary of that committee.

Chief Opposition Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Saturday said it is doubtful whether the current Jatiya Sangsad will survive its full five-year term given the prevailing situation in the country. "The parliament formed after the election held following 16 years has lost all its worth. The opposition's words carry no value in this House. The voice of the people carries no value," Nahid said while addressing a protest rally organised by the NCP in Jatrabari. Nahid announced that a mass demonstration will be held at Shahbagh on October 30 to protest the deteriorating law and order situation, soaring commodity prices, rising fuel prices and the politicisation of state institutions. "We will march from the Shahbagh rally to parliament and to the Prime Minister's residence. The fall of Sheikh Hasina proves that a government can be toppled when protesters reach parliament. Correct yourselves before you are ousted," he said. Accusing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of running the country with "one foot at home and the other abroad", Nahid claimed, "I have heard that Tarique Rahman has not yet sold his house in London. Salahuddin Ahmed still has his house in Shillong. They have made preparations to flee the country." Demanding the home minister's resignation, he said, "We do not want to see law and order deteriorate, and as a first step, the home minister must resign. Law and order can never be restored while he remains in charge." The NCP leader also called for the resignation of the energy minister, taking responsibility for failures in the energy sector, and for the formation of a constitution reform council. "The drama and farce being staged in the name of the constitutional reform committee must stop. The people have thrown this committee into the dustbin," he said. Speaking about the upcoming local government elections, Nahid criticised the BNP's decision to name the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation as its mayoral candidate. "The illegitimate administrator appointed to Dhaka South has been declared a mayoral candidate by the BNP. What kind of democracy is this? Why should an administrator contest the election?" he asked. He demanded that none of the administrators appointed to district councils and city corporations be allowed to contest local government polls. He also called on the state minister for local government to withdraw and apologise for his remarks on the mayoral election. Alleging widespread politicisation across the country, Nahid said BNP activists have been appointed as fertiliser dealers in various districts despite having no basic knowledge of fertiliser, leaving farmers facing continuous losses due to shortages. NCP's Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Nasiruddin Patwary, political council members and central and metropolitan leaders were present at the programme.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Saturday alleged that prices of food items across the country had risen by up to 100 percent over the past seven months, while people's incomes had remained unchanged. “Prices of essential commodities have increased by 50 to 100 percent, making it extremely difficult for low-income people to make ends meet,” Asif said while addressing a protest rally organised by the NCP in Uttara. Citing the prices of vegetables and meat, Asif said tomatoes were selling at Tk 200 per kilogram, while broiler chicken was also priced at Tk 200 per kilogram. “This means people have to buy vegetables at the price of meat,” he said. Asif said the incomes of ordinary low-income people had not increased even by 10 percent in recent years, while commodity prices continued to rise every day. The price surge could not be brought under control unless market syndicates were dismantled, he said. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Asif said people had expected the country to resemble London after the prime minister returned from the British capital and assumed office. “Now we see the country becoming like Uganda. Even Uganda is ahead of Bangladesh in many respects,” he said. Expressing concern over the country's security situation, Asif referred to the shooting attack on popular singer Asif Akbar's car. He said the attack took place only days after the singer had criticised the home minister over the lack of security in the country. Criticising Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the NCP spokesperson said, “We have heard that he is very intelligent and has memorised the Constitution and the laws. Then create a post of Constitution Minister and appoint him there. Otherwise, make him the law minister. If you consider him even more qualified, make him the prime minister. But he has lost the qualification to remain the home minister.” Asif urged the government to ensure public safety and bring commodity prices down to an affordable level.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Senior Joint Chief Coordinator and Noakhali-6 MP Abdul Hannan Masud has demanded the resignation of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, accusing them of failing to ensure public safety and energy security. “The home minister has failed to protect the lives and property of the people, while the energy minister has failed to ensure the country’s energy security,” Masud said at an NCP protest programme in Uttara over the country’s security situation and rising commodity prices. He alleged that the home minister had failed to ensure the safety of ordinary tourists in his home district of Cox’s Bazar, citing an incident in which a bus was stopped on a highway and passengers were robbed for around two and a half hours. “People across the country are worried about their safety. In this situation, the home minister should acknowledge his failure and resign,” he said. Expressing concern over the country’s energy security, Masud alleged that most of the country’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business was controlled by Bashundhara and Meghna groups. He claimed that syndication by these companies was forcing consumers to pay Tk 2,500 for a cylinder that should cost Tk 1,850. “Instead of working for the people, the government is acting at the behest of these industrial groups,” he said. Masud also accused the energy minister of failing to normalise the country’s energy situation, saying he should step down over his failure. “Do not test the patience of the people. Resign by accepting responsibility before the people bring about your downfall,” Masud said. The NCP leader further alleged that although the government was talking about improving farmers’ livelihoods through farmer cards, farmers were being forced to take to the streets to demand fertiliser and were facing police harassment. He also accused Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of "betraying" the people by changing his position on the referendum after the election. Masud said the prime minister had supported holding a referendum before the election but opposed it afterwards, failing to implement the people's verdict. Condemning recent attacks on celebrities and lawmakers, Masud claimed that 14 MPs had come under attack during the current government's tenure. He also alleged that gunshots were fired at the car of popular singer Asif Akbar, describing the incidents as evidence of the government's failure. Accusing the government of turning the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police into repressive forces, Masud said the renaming of RAB amounted to rehabilitating the force rather than reforming it. “Instead of ensuring security through the police, the government is turning the force into an instrument of repression,” he said. Masud urged the government to respect the referendum verdict and work for the welfare of the people rather than serving the interests of any particular group.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Saturday warned that any attempt to rig the upcoming Thakurgaon-1 by-election could trigger political consequences similar to those following the controversial Magura-2 by-election in 1994. “If you want to rig this election, manipulate votes or capture polling centres, you must remember the consequences of Magura,” he said while addressing the final-day election rally of Jamaat candidate Delwar Hossain in Thakurgaon. Referring to the disputed Magura-2 by-election, Porwar said opposition parties had united against the BNP-led government following the election, eventually leading to its fall in 1996. He alleged that attempts could be made to manipulate vote counting by placing 80 to 90 ballots bearing Jamaat’s ‘Daripalla’ symbol in a bundle of 100 votes, with only two ballots bearing the BNP’s ‘Dhaner Shish’ symbol placed on top. Urging party supporters to remain vigilant on polling day, Porwar called on them to report any irregularities, including ballot stamping, interference with vote counting and obstruction of polling agents. He also urged supporters to surround polling centres if they witnessed irregularities and prevent presiding officers from leaving until the allegations were addressed. He went as far as instructing them to tie such officials to posts and contact party leaders. Porwar said a Jamaat delegation would meet the Election Commission on Sunday to demand an environment in which voters could exercise their voting rights freely and without fear. “We will not manipulate votes or commit vote rigging, but we will not allow them to do so either,” he said. The Jamaat leader also accused BNP leaders and activists of extortion and grabbing control of markets, transport stands, sand depots and other local establishments in Thakurgaon. He further alleged that the appointment of fertiliser dealers had been politicised, with bribes of Tk 10 lakh to Tk 12 lakh taken for each appointment. Porwar said Jamaat had raised the allegations at a press conference in Dhaka and challenged the BNP to respond. He said his party would accept the people's verdict but would resist any attempt to undermine the electoral process.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said his party would participate in the upcoming local government elections if a level playing field was ensured for all contestants. “We will certainly try to clear the way for elections before the polls. We will demand a level playing field. When equal opportunities are ensured for everyone in the election, we will participate,” he said. He made these remarks at a discussion meeting with print and electronic media journalists at the Moulvibazar Circuit House. “We do not want to be anyone’s scapegoat; we want to fight for people’s rights. We want the person chosen by the people through their votes to come to power,” he said. The Jamaat chief expressed concern over the election environment, saying he sees no positive signs regarding the local government polls. Referring to the Chief Whip’s reported remarks that areas where BNP candidates fail to win will not receive government allocations, he said such statements were intimidating voters ahead of the election. “This is shameful. Through this, people are being intimidated in advance. If elections are held amid such intimidation and partisan influence, there is little possibility of them being fair,” he said. He questioned the appointment of a retired BNP cadre as an additional secretary to the Election Commission, saying people wanted to know why a party-affiliated person had been brought into the institution. The Opposition Leader also criticised the government over the law and order situation, alleging that there had been no visible improvement in public security despite claims by government officials that the situation had improved. Several other local and central Party leaders also attended the program. It was Shafiqur Rahman’s first visit to his home district of Moulvibazar since the national parliamentary election.