politics
Khaleda in vulnerable condition: Fakhrul
BNP on Thursday urged the government to allow its Chairperson Khaleda Zia receive advanced treatment abroad shunning ‘political vengeance’ as she is in a vulnerable condition with various old health complications.
“Our chairperson is now seriously ill. As she couldn’t receive proper treatment over the last four years since she went to jail, she was affected with many diseases,” said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Read: Khaleda still suffering from post-Covid complications: Doctor
He said, “We urge the government to allow the great leader and three-time Prime Minister, who had struggled for a long time for democracy, made huge contributions to the development of the country, receive advanced treatment shunning political vengeance.”
Fakhrul made the call while inaugurating a tree-plantation programme in the capital’s Beraid area arranged by Dhaka North City unit of BNP.
He said Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital after being infected with coronavirus and she has already beat the virus with the blessings of Allah.
Read: No change in Khaleda's health condition: Doctor
The BNP leader said their party chief has now been suffering from heart, kidney and liver problems. “She also had an old problem of Arthritis which is causing serious pain. With all these diseases she is very ill and doctors are saying she is in a very vulnerable condition.”
He said Khaleda’s family members had submitted an application to the government seeking permission to allow her to go abroad for treatment. “But the government didn’t allow her to go abroad due to political vengeance.”
The BNP secretary general also demanded the government free her fully and called upon people to pray for the speedy recovery of Khaleda.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27.
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, 27, days after she had been infected with the deadly virus, but the BNP chief is still suffering from various comorbidities.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order on March 25 last year, suspending her sentences.
Journalists exercising self-censorship out of fear: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said journalists in Bangladesh have long been practising self-censorship out of fear.
“More than 60 journalists left the country in fear of losing their lives while those who are there in the country can't write freely. I don’t blame them for it,” he said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a roundtable discussion at the Jatiya Press Club arranged by BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence, marking the shutdown of all newspapers except state-run four ones on 16 June 1975.
The BNP leader said, “They (journalists) have to exercise self-censorship because of the situation.”
The BNP leader said people have already seen how journalist Rozina Islam was tortured at the Secretariat.
Also read: ‘Black laws’ being used to ‘gag’ media: BNP
Fakhrul said elderly editor of the Daily Sangram Abul Asad and journalist leader Ruhul Amin Gazi have long been kept in jail while editors like Shafik Rehman and Mahmudur Rahman were forced to leave the country.
“Even, Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman is facing a murder case. Mahfuz Anam (The Daily Star Editor) has to move around the corridors of courts in every district in connection with over 100 cases. So, no one, be it leftist or rightist, is spared. It’s the strategy of the current government to suppress the entire nation,” he observed.
The BNP leader urged all to wake up and get ready for a united movement to get rid of the current situation. “The young generation must come forward. The freedom of the press, the security of the press workers and their release (from jail) all depend on the restoration of democracy. If democracy is not restored, then no one will be freed (from repressive acts).”
He alleged that Awami League does not want to see the existence of any opposition party in the country.
Also read: Shun infighting first to launch oust-govt movement: Fakhrul to BNP leaders
“Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said it’s not possible to live together with BNP. He exposed their real trait and mentality through it. His comment has proved they don’t want any opposition party, forget about having a strong one,” Fakhrul observed.
He said BNP has been doing politics with the affection and support of people, not with the mercy of any party or individual.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has snatched people’s rights by 'destroying' democracy and the main spirit of the Liberation War.
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said the country is witnessing a process of depoliticisation. “We all must get united putting aside divisions to prevent it for the sake of the country’s independence and sovereignty.”
Also read: Get ready for movement: Fakhrul to BNP followers
Another party standing committee member, Gayeshwar Chandra, said the freedom of journalists is now more important than the freedom of the press.
“Because the owners of the media have freedom as they do their business through joint ventures with the government. Sometimes the owners blackmail the government while sometimes the government blackmails the owners. But those who work in the media don’t have freedom. They have to be given freedom. I think it should be ensured in the constitution,” he said.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said June 16 is the back day for newspapers in Bangladesh as the then government in 1975 shut all the newspapers, except four loyal to it.
He urged the journalists to raise their voice for the restoration of democracy and media freedom.
Khaleda struggling to survive: Abbas
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Tuesday said their party chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is struggling to survive for lack of advanced treatment.
"Our leader Begum Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister for three terms, but that former Prime Minister is now slowly dying…,” he said.
Speaking at a meeting, the BNP leader said, “We’ve been talking about taking her abroad and requesting (the govt). But a rogue is deaf to all good. They won’t allow Khaleda Zia to receive proper treatment.”
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, renewed their party’s demand for allowing ailing Khaleda to go aboard for advanced treatment.
Also read: Khaleda’s kidneys, liver not functioning properly: Fakhrul
Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum, a platform of BNP, arranged the programme at the party’s Nayapaltan central office demanding the release of its arrested leader Nipun Roy.
On Monday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda’s kidneys and liver are not functioning properly.
The 76-year-old BNP chief has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital since April 11.
Also read: Writ over Khaleda’s death of birth filed with ‘fake info’: BNP
Abbas described the Awami League government as a puppet one and said a corrupt quarter is pulling its strings.
“There’s no such (govt’s) organisation and agency that has not indulged in theft, robbery and plundering. They’ve siphoned off crores of taka abroad. Many private and government employees like PK Halder looted Bangladesh money...This quarter has kept this regime in power in fear of facing trial under a new government,” he observed.
The BNP leader warned that people are getting ready to ensure the fall of the current government by venting their pent-up anger on the streets.
Also read: Khaleda still at risk, needs treatment abroad: Fakhrul
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan alleged that the government has long been kept Nipun Roy behind bars unfairly.
“We know Nipun Roy has a little daughter. Separating a mother from her minor girl for a long time is inhumane politics. Release her immediately and let her go to her child,” he said.
Stating that the government could not split BNP by keeping Khaleda and many other party leaders in jail, Nazrul said there is no reason to think that BNP will be weakened or harmed by unjustly keeping Nipun in jail.
‘Black laws’ being used to ‘gag’ media: BNP
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that ‘black laws’ are being used to gag the media and repress journalists in Bangladesh.
In a statement, he said, “It’s a matter of great regret that the present Awami government has revived Baksal and continued suppressing newspapers and oppressing journalists.”
The BNP leader said, “The freedom of the press and the freedom of expression have been strangled by enacting various black laws.”
Also read: Shun infighting first to launch oust-govt movement: Fakhrul to BNP leaders
The statement was issued marking the shutdown of all newspapers except state-run four ones on 16 June 1975.
Fakhrul said journalists have brutally been tortured and imprisoned in ‘false’ cases for publishing the truth and trying to do journalism independently. “Even, journalists have been subjected to enforced disappearances and killings.”
Under the circumstances, he said, “All the media houses in the country are now scared of publishing the truth thinking about the government's possible wraths.”
The BNP leader urged the journalists to get united and work together to protect press freedom and ‘restore endangered’ democracy.
Also read: Get ready for movement: Fakhrul to BNP followers
“The 16 June 1975 is a black day in Bangladesh history as the then extremely authoritarian one-party Baksal government had closed all the newspapers except four loyal to it, making the entire nation speechless," he alleged.
Fakhrul said snatching the freedom of the press means blocking thoughts and conscience.
He claimed that their party founder Ziaur Rahman later restored the freedom of the press by introducing multiparty democracy.
Writ over Khaleda’s death of birth filed with ‘fake info’: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that a writ petition has been filed over the date of birth of party chairperson Khaleda Zia based on a ‘fake’ medical report only to confuse people.
“The gentleman who filed the writ is not personally aggrieved. It’s not their responsibility to decide her birthday,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference, the BNP leader said, “As there is no politics in the country now, their purpose is to confuse the nation by raising such (birthday) issues and try to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the main problems.”
Read: HC summons relevant documents to verify Khaleda's date of birth
Fakhrul said the writ was filed based on a fake and false report in the name of Evercare Hospital. “No such report has been made by Evercare. The date they put in the report has been done falsely. I don’t know how the court issued an order based on such a false report.”
Earlier on Sunday, the High Court sought relevant documents from the government to determine BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's "genuine" date of birth following a writ petition.
Fakhrul said the High Court’s such an order has manifested that the judiciary is not free as the country has been under ‘one-party rule’. “Judiciary shouldn’t have taken this issue into its account.”
He said many people in Bangladesh have one genuine date of birth and another date of birth in the certificate. “The reason is that, especially during our generation, parents could not remember the date of birth correctly nor did they maintain the diary. It can’t be an issue.”
Read: Khaleda turns '76' Saturday
The BNP leader said the government can announce that no one can be born on a particular date. “You’ve to think about giving birth to a child by calculation. There’s no other way.”
Fakhrul said their party standing committee members at their meeting on Saturday voiced deep concerns over the government’s move to shift all the services relating to National Identity (NID) cards from the Election Commission to the Home Ministry.
“The Election Commission is an independent body while the Home Ministry is under the government. So, the minimum possibility of free, fair and credible elections will be destroyed if the authority over the NID card is transferred to the Home Ministry,” he said.
The BNP leader said their standing committee thinks the minimum democratic space and the process of peaceful transfer of power will be ruined forever if the government’s ‘politically motivated' decision on the NID service is implemented.
Khaleda’s kidneys, liver not functioning properly: Fakhrul
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been suffering from recurrent fever due to her heart and kidney complications, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday.
"As far as I’ve come to know from doctors, she (Khaleda) has a heart problem. The fluid accumulating in her lungs will not be stopped unless this complication is resolved. What they (doctors) think is her kidneys and liver are not functioning properly,” he said.
Read: Khaleda Zia suffering from fever
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said, “That's why she has been suffering from recurrent fever. She had fever yesterday (Sunday), too.”
Expressing gratitude to the doctors at Evercare Hospital, he said they are trying their best to ensure proper treatment to the BNP chief. “What they (doctors) are repeatedly saying is that she (Khaleda) should be taken to an advance centre for treatment as our hospitals are not well equipped.”
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27.
Read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus, but the BNP chief has still been suffering from various comorbidities.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
Harun finds his voice demanding justice for Pori Moni, Muniya
BNP MP Harunur Rashid on Monday demanded the culprits who allegedly assaulted and attempted to rape and murder popular cinema actress Pori Moni be brought to justice. He also called for an investigation to reveal the real cause of death of college student Mosarrat Jahan Muniya, the mistress of the scion of Basundhara Group in April. Harun made his demands on the parliament floor, while participating in the discussions on two different Bills.
Read: Pori Moni files sexual assault complaint against ex-Uttara Club president Nasiruddin, 5 othersThe BNP MP elected from Chapainawabganj-3 said that if the accused persons in these two cases were general people, nothing would have prevented the law from taking its course against them.Pointing to Pori Moni’s incident, Harun said the renowned actress of Bangladesh has been seeking justice for four days following her attempted rape and assault at the Uttara Boat Club led by real estate businessman Nasir U. Mahmood.“All media have published news in this regard. Is it false?” he questioned.
Read: Pori Moni's plea for justice from PM causes sensationHe drew attention of Home Minister (Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal), who was not in the House at that time."Persons involved in this incident must be brought to justice,” Harun said.Actress Pori Moni yesterday revealed the identity of the perpetrators who allegedly assaulted and attempted to rape her.Pori Moni in a press conference last night claimed that Nasir U Mahmud, a former president of Uttara Club Limited, and a businessperson named Omie wanted to rape and murder her at the boat club on the Turag."They physically assaulted me and tried to kill me. Omie was also involved in the whole setup," she added.Earlier yesterday, the actress posted about the incident on her verified Facebook page at 7:53 pm."To, the honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,I am Pori Moni. An obedient citizen of this country. I am a film actor by profession. I was physically abused. I am a victim of attempted rape and murder. I demand justice."Pori Moni also said she went to Banani Police Station to lodge a complaint but they took no interest in documenting the incident.On April 26, police recovered the body of the girl hanging from the ceiling fan in her bedroom. Her legs were touching the bed and both knees were a little bent.A day after her family sued Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir over abetting her death by suicide.
Govt. is strengthening democratic institutions, says Quader
The government is working to strengthen the democratic institutions of the country despite opposition BNP’s conspiracy to undermine them, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday.
In his regular media briefing Quader said that those who do not believe in the country’s independence and the spirit of the liberation war want to turn it into an ineffective and failed state.
The Awani League general secretary questioned the credibility of Bangladesh Nationalist Party to raise questions about the independence of judiciary, the election commission and the anti-corruption commission.
Also read: Quader slams BNP for anti-people conspiracy
Quader also remarked that the BNP is questioning the democratic institutions in a planned manner.
He accused the BNP leaders of resorting to lies and conspiracies to regain power.
He said none of their conspiracies would succeed as their character is now clear to the countrymen.
Also read: BNP desperate to regain power through dark ways: Quader
He said Bangladesh has become a developing nation under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh today is a country of many potentials and promises in the eyes of the world.
Quader said the people are aware of the elements who staged protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh to join the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in last March.
He said BNP continues its policy of appeasing evil communal forces despite its denial.
Shun infighting first to launch oust-govt movement: Fakhrul to BNP leaders
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged their party leaders and activists to put behind intra-party conflicts and grouping first before launching a movement to oust the current government.
"I would like to clearly say Awami League won’t be able to hang onto power as people will ensure their fall through a strong movement for their misdeeds and injustice,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said, “Let’s quickly reorganise ourselves by resolving misunderstandings and divisions among us. We also must unite people to remove this monster regime that has been sitting on our chests like a heavy stone."
Gazipur district and city units BNP jointly arranged the programme marking the 40th death anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman.
Also read: Get ready for movement: Fakhrul to BNP followers
Fakhrul called upon BNP leaders and workers to get ready for restoring democracy and establishing a pro-people government by ensuring a credible national election under a non-party administration and the neutral Election Commission through a tough struggle.
He said they will also wage a movement for having their party chairperson Khaleda Zia completely freed from jail.
“We’ve to free our leader (Khaleda) first as a democratic movement. Without her, we won’t succeed. So, we’ve to move on for the restoration of democracy through the movement for Khaleda’s release,” the BNP leader said.
Stating that the country has been going through a critical juncture, he said BNP must play a pivotal role in overcoming it. “Amid the current political crisis, we must stand firmly and turn around to change the situation and get back our rights.”
Also read: Hope that will get you through: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Fakhrul suggested BNP leaders in Gazipur to remove grouping for reorganising the party and strengthening its organizational capacity.
“It’s unfortunate for us that though we do politics for the party of Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, we look for our own men and create groupings when we try to overhaul the party. You’ve to find the followers of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, not your own men,” he advised the BNP leaders.
The BNP secretary general warned that their party will not get success in the movement in the future if its leaders and activists cannot take to the steers in unison removing all the groupings and intra-party conflicts among them.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar, chairperson’s adviser Amanullah Aman and BNP organizing secretary Fazlul Haq Milon, among others, spoke at the programme.
People lost faith in govt assurance about vaccination: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said the government assuring people every day about vaccination, but there is no visible success in this regard.
“Bangladesh is unable to make a mark in international vaccine diplomacy. The Foreign Minister himself said yesterday (Thursday) that many countries have agreed to give us vaccine, but no one can say when it may happen. So, the common people have lost faith in the government's assurance about the vaccine.”
In a statement, he also said people have a perception that that no alternative source of the vaccine has been kept since the jabs from Serum Institute of India have been procured through Beximco Pharmaceuticals from a business point of view.
Read: Indian variant of Covid may wreak havoc on Bangladesh: GM Quader
“It’s learned that a company (Beximco) has made crores of taka by importing the vaccine, though the required jabs as per the agreement are not available,” the Jatiya Party Chairman said.
He said the mass vaccination programme has become now uncertain as there is no alternative source for the vaccine.
“It’s not yet clear whether the 15lakh people who have already received the first dose of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine would get the second dose,” GM Quader observed.
Read: No support from ministry for local Covid vaccine: GM Quader
He said the possibility of giving the vaccine to the country’s crores of people is now hanging in the balance only because of the government’s short-sighted decision.
The Jatiya Party chief said the people of the country are now looking at how fast the corona vaccine will be administrated officially.