politics
Govt behind crisis in Hefazat: BNP
In the wake of dissolution of the central committee of Hefazat-e-Islam, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government is taking advantage by creating a 'crisis' in the Qawmi-madrasa-based Islamist organisation.
"As a political party, we think the government has created a crisis in Hefazat and it’s now taking advantage of it,” he said.
Also read:Govt made Bangladesh a 'hell': Fakhrul
The BNP secretary general came up with the remark while speaking at a virtual press conference.
Stating that their party has no relation with Hefazat, Fakhrul said BNP believes in going to power in a peaceful manner through a credible election.
He alleged that the government is trying to involve BNP leaders in various incidents of Hefazat to make political gains.
The BNP leader also accused the government of launching a crackdown in the name of lockdown to suppress its opponents. “Many cases were filed against our leaders and workers, though BNP has no involvement in the incidents in any way.”
He said their party registered its protest against the violence at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram and the killing of people on Independence Day. “It’s our fundamental right. But ministers Obaidul Quader and Hasan Mahmud are spreading propaganda involving our party with Hefazat.”
Also read:Fakhrul regrets BNP's failure to revitalise organisations
Fakhrul said their party has no link with the violent incidents that happened in Dhaka, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, “The government’s efforts to implicate us and our top leaders in such incidents are not acceptable in any way.”
He said the government has long been trying to eliminate BNP by carrying out repressive acts and a ‘false’ campaign against the party as they know this party is the only opponent which can return to power by organising people through an election.
On Sunday night, Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced the dissolution of the 249-member central committee of the organisation
Later, a five-member convening committee of Hefazat was announced at midnight.
Moudud to remain alive in politics: Fakhrul
Recalling the contributions of his late party colleague to the country, BNP Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said Moudud Ahmed will remain alive in the history of Bangladesh politics.
"Moudud Ahmed was actively involved in politics throughout his life, from the student life to the last day. I think, he was an enlightened politician and did politics in Bangladesh with his prudence,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, Fakhrul said, ”Moudud Ahmed will always be remembered as a lawyer, as a politician and above all as a writer and researcher. He’ll remain alive among the people of his area, the people of Bangladesh, in the history of BNP and our politics and in the history of our struggles and movements.”
BNP arranged the programme in memory of its late standing committee member Moudud Ahmed who died at a hospital in Singapore on March 16 last.
Also read: Moudud laid to eternal rest in Noakhali
Paying homage to the party leader, Fakhrul said Moudud Ahmed’s main virtue was to speak in a very sophisticated language."The punctuality and discipline were also his great qualities.”
Describing Moudud as one of his guardians, the BNP leader said he is personally indebted to Moudud for giving him various suggestions.
Fakhrul said he last met Moudud at the Evercare Hospital in the capital where he told him to be present in the next meeting of the party standing committee. "Moudud Ahmed could not attend that meeting and he did not return alive from Singapore. He won’t be with us again, but he’ll always remain in our hearts.”
The BNP secretary general expressed his sympathy to Moudud’s widow Hasna Moudud.
Also read: BNP leader Moudud Ahmed dies
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the programme.
Moudud Ahmed was one of the founding members of BNP. He joined Jatiya Party in 1985 and served as prime minister and vice president in military ruler HM Ershad's government.
After the fall of Ershad, Moudud returned to BNP in 1996 and was made law minister in Khaleda Zia's government in 2001.
Moudud was elected MP five times from Noakhali-5 seat and once from the Bogura-6 constituency.
Coronavirus: BNP urges govt to shut borders with India
BNP on Saturday urged the government to close the country's land borders with India as the neighbouring country is witnessing a serious outbreak of coronavirus.
“The coronavirus infection has sharply increased in India...a terrible situation has been prevailing there due to the prevalence of new variants. Our citizens have to travel to India by road and air for various reasons, including business and treatment,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, he said, “West Bengal has the highest number of virus infections. So, we think, the land borders with India need to be closed completely.”
Fakhrul also opposed the government’s decision of keeping the inbound air passengers in quarantine for only three days instead of two weeks.
He said no country in the world cut the duration of institutional quarantine to three days for international travellers.
Also read: Bangladesh’s Covid death toll nears 11,000 as cases surge
The BNP leader alleged that the government’s whimsical decisions only contribute to the deteriorating Covid situation.
He said many people had returned to their village homes before the government enforced the lockdown. “As the government is going to allow shops and shopping malls to reopen from Sunday, these people are again returning to Dhaka and they’ll go back to their village homes before the upcoming eid. As a result, the virus will spread badly across the country.”
The BNP leader said they have long been advising the government to take a coordinated plan and roadmap to tackle the coronavirus situation. “But the government is not paying heed to it.”
He also said the government has failed to enforce the ongoing lockdown in the country as it has not taken any step to feed the low-income people and destitute. “Forcing people to stay home without giving them food and money is inhumane and meaningless."
Fakhrul suggested the government to announce a seven-point incentive package for those affected by the second wave of coronavirus and the lockdown.
Also read: 25 Covid patients die in Delhi hospital
The party’s seven proposals are giving a one-time cash of Tk 15,000 for three months to each day-labourer and the low-income people who are badly affected by the lockdown, providing each worker of the informal sector with a one-time cash of Tk 15,000 for three months, bringing all the poor under the 'protection assistance' package, fairly preparing a list of disadvantaged beneficiaries of government's assistance, announcing special incentives for SMEs, institutional and informal industries and agriculture sector, and disbursing loans from the state exchequer to the affected industrialists, entrepreneurs and expatriates without political consideration.
Fakhrul also urged the government to implement a Tk 87,000 crore incentive package presented by their party last year to deal with the fallouts of the coronavirus pandemic.
He also called for taking a comprehensive plan based on national unity to tackle the coronavirus and its adverse impact since the entire nation is passing through a critical time.
The BNP leader alleged that the government’s wayward attitude over the coronavirus vaccine collection and uncertainties over getting the jabs from India have frustrated the entire nation.
He alleged that the ‘corrupt’ government has put the entire nation at a serious health risk ‘with its move to facilitate a pro-government business institution in importing the vaccine’.
Also read: BNP for 'all-party committee' to stop Covid surge
Fakhrul said the crisis over the vaccine was created as the government depended on a single source. “From the very beginning, we’ve repeatedly talked about procuring the vaccines from alternative sources alongside India. But nothing was done in this regard, creating the vaccine crisis.”
He accused the government of arresting BNP leaders and activists and alem-ulema by launching a crackdown in the name of enforcing a countrywide lockdown.
The BNP leader also said the government is trying to suppress people by implicating them in different cases under repressive laws like the Digital Security Act so that no one dares talk about its misdeeds, corruption, repression and 'fascist' rule.
Fakhrul urged BNP leaders and activists to stand by the poor and destitute to ease their sufferings at this bad time of the coronavirus pandemic.
Referring to media reports, he said the country’s food security will be at stake as the government has no adequate food stock.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader urged the government to immediately start procuring paddy from farmers after fixing a fair price and expedite the OMS program to ensure rice at a lower price for poor people.
Repeal Digital Security Act: BNP to govt
Accusing the government of harassing journalists and opposition leaders and activists by implicating them in “false” cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP on Friday demanded the cancellation of the law.
In a statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Khulna Press Club’s former vice president and NTV bureau chief Abu Tayeb Munsi has been arrested and sent to jail by implicating him in a false case under the DSA for publishing news on “corruption, immoral and illegal activities of Khulna mayor and his relatives”.
Besides, he said, “false” cases under the DSA were also filed against BNP leaders and activists in Feni and Laxmipur. “These heinous acts by the Awami government are just a small instance of the ongoing horrible misrule.”
Also read: Govt trying to prolong power using DSA: BNP
Fakhrul said writers, journalists, poets, cartoonists and human-rights activist are being repressed by arresting them in “false” cases under the Digital Security Act for writing on social media on the “failure, incompetence, repression, anti-democratic and anti-people activities, corruption, plundering, irregularities and reckless behaviour of the government, ministers and ruling party MPs and leaders”.
”After snatching democratic rights, black laws are now being used so that people can’t vent their grievances in digital platforms,” he alleged.
The BNP leader also said the journalists who are trying to work freely in the media and opposition leaders who are taking part in the anti-government movement are facing dire consequences with the DSA’s abuse. “Journalist Abu Tayeb was arrested under the DSA as part of the government’s move to gag the media.”
Also read: Kamal demands abolition of DSA
He said the government is using repressive black laws like the Digital Security Act to hang onto power by suppressing people. “The present government can’t tolerate even the slightest criticism since it’s not elected by people. People’s freedom of speech, freedom of expressing and free thinking has been snatched using the black laws only to protect them from public wraths.”
Even in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Fakhrul said the government has exposed its “fascist character by abusing the DSA”.
“The Digital Security Act is undoubtedly a repressive black law. Despite demands from journalists, intellectuals and civil society, and political and human rights organisations at home and abroad for repealing the black law, the government is abusing the law to perpetuate its authoritarian and fascist rule,” he observed.
Fakhrul demanded the immediate release of Journalist Abu Tayeb and BNP leaders and activists by withdrawing the cases filed against them under the DSA. “We strongly demand the government stop harassment of people and withdraw the repressive law, the Digital Security Act.”
GM Quader for withdrawal of lockdown
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said the ongoing lockdown should be withdrawn immediately as it is not possible to achieve anything from such restrictions without ensuring people’s food security.
In a statement, he also urged the government to distribute relief materials immediately to ease the sufferings of the poor and day-labourers.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 88 deaths, 3629 new cases
“It’s not possible to reap any benefit from the lockdown without ensuring food security. As there’re crores of people who live from hand to mouth in the country, they have to come out of their homes to save their lives,” the Jatiya Party chief said.
He said the working people are silently going through immense sufferings due to the lockdown enforced by the government on April 14. “The low-income people are suffering unbearably as they have become jobless."
Also read: Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
GM Quader said common people are facing financial fines for coming out of their homes in search of work. “Overburdened with debt, the common people also can’t share their ordeals with anyone.”
Referring to different studies, he said around 2.5 crore people have become poor due to the adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “So, the financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister for those who affected by the lockdown is absolutely inadequate.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
He called upon the government to provide necessary financial assistance to the people affected by the coronavirus.
“I also urge the government to ease the lockdown. If it's possible, the lockdown should be completely withdrawn," the Jatiya Party chairman added.
Govt has link with Hefazat, alleges BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that it is the government, not BNP, that has a link with Hefazat-e-Islam.
“They (govt) have established a reign of terror in the country. Several thousand people have been arrested in the last few days since March 26. Our party workers in Chattogram, Brahmanbaria and Dhaka can’t stay at home at night,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said, “Our leaders and workers were arrested by conducting block raids in Keraniganj. If we protest against it, they say we’ve a link with Hefazat. But the fact is that it’s you who has the link with Hefazat. You’ve made an agreement with them (Hefazat) by sitting at a meeting at the house of the Prime Minister.”
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) arranged the virtual discussion on the coronavirus situation.
Fakhrul also said the Prime Minister has clearly said her party has given Hefazat huge money and did many things for the Quami madrasas.
“So, you (AL) have taken the responsibility of Hefazat and you’ve to fulfil the responsibility. You’re deceiving people in carrying out that responsibility. You’ve lost all the confidence of people, and you’ve now started torturing them. You’ve turned this country into a police state,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is not giving people and political parties any scope to express their own views.
Also read: BNP demands release of arrested religious leaders
Though the government talks about democracy, he said, it is unwilling to allow anyone to protest or speak against it. “You also don’t want anyone to speak against injustice and identify your mistakes. So, you can no longer be a democratic government.”
Fakhrul alleged the government has failed to tackle the coronavirus situation and ensure vaccine doses for the country’s people. “We don't know whether those who received the first dose of vaccine would get the second dose as there’s a speculation that India is not going to export the vaccine.”
He also criticised the government for depending on a single country for the vaccine instead of collecting it from different sources and countries.
BNP seeks explanation from Abbas over his comment on Ilias Ali
BNP has sought an explanation from its standing committee member Mirza Abbas about his recent statement on the disappearance of party leader Ilias Ali.
A letter from BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reached Mirza Abbas’ Shahjahanpur residence on Thursday afternoon, party sources said.
Talking to UNB, some party senior leaders, wishing anonymity, said the letter was sent as per a directive of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Contacted, Mirza Abbas said he still did not receive any such letter.
Also read: Abbas claims media distorted his comments on Ilias’ disappearance
Speaking at a discussion programme on Saturday last, Mirza Abbas said he thought neither the government nor the Awami League made Ilias Ali disappear. “But who did it? I want to know this from this government.
He also called upon BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to find out those BNP leaders who engaged in an altercation with Ilias Ali the night before he went missing.
As his remarks sparked various speculation and discontent within the party, BNP high command decided to send a letter to him seeking an explanation.
Abbas on Sunday claimed that some media distorted his remarks about the disappearance of their party leader M Ilias Ali.
Also read: Culture of ‘enforced disappearance’ came with Ilias Ali’s incident: BNP
"It’s been published in a newspaper quoting me that some BNP leaders are responsible for the disappearance of Ilias Ali. Can anyone prove I made such a remark? It’s not possible to prove. I want to make it clear that my statement has been distorted,” he told a press conference at his residence.”
He also alleged that some newspapers wrongly quoted him as saying that the government and Awami League had no involvement in the disappearance of Ilias. “I didn’t make any such comment. My statement has been distorted and twisted. I just rebuked the government and wanted to know where Ilias is.”
BNP organising secretary M Ilias Ali along with his driver Ansar Ali went missing on the midnight of April 17, 2012 in the capital’s Banani area.
Since then, BNP has been blaming the security agencies for the mysterious disappearance, an allegation denied by the government.
Quader to BNP: 'Stop paying lip service amid Covid-19'
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader Wednesday called upon BNP to stop paying "lip service" amid the ongoing pandemic and stand by the people.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the politics of public welfare is now more important.
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
He came up with the call during a videoconference with the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Khulna zone officials
However, Quader also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would provide financial assistance of Tk2,500 to about 35 lakh low-income families who have been hit by the pandemic.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: PM allocates Tk 10.50cr for affected poor
Also, 1 lakh farmers, who have been affected by recent natural disasters, will get Tk5,000 each, he added.
He also urged the ruling party men and high-income groups to stand by the low-income groups and people who need help amid the pandemic.
JaPa accuses govt of harassing opponents
Jatiya Party on Wednesday accused the government of harassing its leaders and activists in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon over the vandalism at Royal Resort.
In a statement, party chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu said neither Jatiya Party nor its any leaders and activists were nvolved in the attack on the Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3 following the detention of Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mamunul Haque with a woman.
However, they said Jatiya Party’s Sonargaon Upazila unit President and Shambhupura Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rauf and Sonargaon Municipal Jatiya Party Vice President and Municipality Councilor Farooque Ahmed were arrested by implicating them in "false" cases. “Besides, at least 35 more of our leaders and activists are being harassed in the false cases."
Also read: Jamaat and Japa leaders detained in Narayanganj
The Jatiya Party top leaders demanded the government immediately release Rauf and Farooque and stop the harassment of their leaders and workers.
They alleged that Jatiya Party leaders and activists could not stay at home during this holy month of Ramadan amid coronavirus pandemic as police are raiding their houses every night.
GM Quader and Bablu also said family members of the Jatiya Party leaders and activists have become worried over the continuous police raids.
Also read: Killing of Chattogram workers unacceptable: GM Quader
They demanded the government ensure that no innocent person who had no involvement in the resort attack incident is unnecessarily arrested or harassed.
Hefazat-e-Islam's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque was detained with a woman he claims as his second wife at Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3.
Hours later, a group of leaders and supporters of Hefazat and some locals attacked the resort and snatched Mamunul.
BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said that everyone knows today that BNP is directly and indirectly involved in Hefazat violence.
He said that the recent violence in Hefazat-e-Islam was not only due to its patronage but also to the BNP.
Obaidul Quader made these remarks in an exchange of views with officials of Rajshahi Road Zone, BRTC, BRTA this morning.
He joined the meeting virtually from his official residence.
Mentioning that no one was arrested for any party or Alem Ulama, the General Secretary of Awami League said that those who were directly involved in the violence, attacked and set fire to the infrastructure, were arrested after watching the video.
Also read: Hefazat violence in Brahmanbaria: 60 held, two more cases filed
Obaidul Quader, in response to the BNP leaders saying that the government is isolated from the people, said that the BNP said this out of remorse for its continuous failure for the last thirteen years.
Mentioning that the BNP has been calling for a movement for more than a decade, Obaidul Quader said that their failure to organise a movement, and also their shameless collapse in national and local elections and by-elections proves who is isolated from the people.
He said that the party which has been following the undemocratic path since its birth has today become the peddler of democracy and is giving advice to the country and the nation.
Mentioning yes-no vote without ballot box and curfew at night, Obaidul Quader said BNP's democracy means voterless election on February 15, by-election in Magura, Dhaka-10 constituency and preparation of 13 million fake voters.
Also read: AL victim of political plots: Obaidul Quader
Recalling Sheikh Hasina's struggle for democracy, Obaidul Quader said that the present government is very sincere in overcoming obstacles and institutionalizing democracy.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader directed the concerned authorities to make BRTA acceptable to the customers and said that although the harassment in this organization has decreased as compared to the past, there are complaints in some areas and they should be stopped.
He also instructed the concerned to take forward the construction work before the monsoon.