BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Khaleda fighting for life: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is fighting for life with critical ailments.
"Our leader Begum Khaleda Zia is in a fight between life and death. Physicians at Evercare Hospital are making their best efforts to treat her. She has been suffering from multiple diseases,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, Fakhrul also said the BNP chief’s ailment has reached such a stage that it is extremely essential for her to receive treatment abroad immediately. “Doctors are saying she’ll recover if she is sent abroad.”
Read:Done enough for Khaleda Zia, says Hasina
BNP arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 45th death anniversary of great national leader Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.
Even though Evercare is the country’s best hospital, Fakhrul said the physicians are saying it is not fully equipped to treat all the critical diseases of Khaleda. “So, her treatment at an advanced centre abroad is now very essential.”
Country under “terrible fascist aggression”: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that people are passing through a tough time as the country is now under “terrible fascist aggression”.
“Our creativity is being destroyed and all our free thoughts are blocked as we’re going through a very difficult time. We now can't freely speak and write,” he said.
Speaking at a book launch event, he said poetry, creativity and art all are going to be exiled at this critical juncture of the country.
Read: Lack of democracy worsens situation in Bangladesh: Fakhrul
"This is a terrible situation as the entire nation is now under awful fascist aggression. I often think we’re going through a very bad time,” he observed.
Mannan-Nilufar Memorial Foundation arranged the event at a city hotel on the occasion of unveiling the cover of the book 'Bengal, thy name is beauty'. Late BNP vice-chairman and former minister Abdul Mannan translated the book 'Rupshi Bangla' by poet Jibanananda Das into English during his lifetime.
Abdul Mannan died on August 4, 2020.
Depicting the current situation of the country, he said there is now no security of children or adolescents while a girl or a woman is arrested and sent to jail for giving a status on Facebook.
The BNP leader said journalists are also being arrested and sent to jail under the Digital Security Act for exposing the fact.
Read: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
He said some sort of instability is there across the world and good things are getting disappeared while unjust and ugly things are being established.
“Eighty percent of those of us cam here are involved in politics. You look around and see that there’s a fight for power and we all are doing it more or less. This is the reality,” the BNP leader said.
He described Abdul Mannan as an outstanding person and a good politician and paid tributes to his memory.
Fuel Price Hike: BNP announces two-day demo
BNP on Monday announced a two-day demonstration programme in protest against the fresh hike in diesel and kerosene prices.
As part of the programme, BNP’s all metropolitan city units, except Dhaka ones, will stage demonstrations and protest rallies on November 10 (Wednesday).
Besides, the party’s all the district units will observe the similar programme in the district headquarters on November 12 (Friday).
Read:Fuel price hike a fresh blow to Covid-hit economy: Experts
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at a human-chain programme.
BNP’s Dhaka South and North city units arranged the human-chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the fuel price hike.
Fakhrul said the prices of all essentials will now go up further as an impact of the fuel price hike, leaving common people in a miserable condition.
Fakhrul said the protest against the increase in fuel prices now needs to spread across the country to save people from sufferings.
Read: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
“We’ve to wake up people. As long as the Awami League government is in power, public sufferings will increase and people will become more helpless and poorer. So, we’ve to unite people to take to the streets and oust this regime,” he observed.
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level.
The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of the price hike of petroleum on the international market.
BNP observes November 7
BNP observed what it calls the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Sunday remembering ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 17 in 1975.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party senior leaders paid homage to its founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the day.
Read:BNP to observe Nov 7 as ‘Nat'l Revolution & Solidarity Day’
They also offered fateha and joined a munajat there seeking eternal peace for Zia's departed soul.
On that day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power.
BNP chalked out various programmes to observe the day with due respect.
As part of the programmes, the party flag was hoisted atop all its offices across the country in the morning.
The party arranged a discussion at Mohanagar Natya Mancha on Saturday in observance of the day.
Read: People facing “starving-like situation”: BNP
Besides, BNP’s associate bodies also observed the day with various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, and publishing supplements in newspapers.
When BNP and its alliances celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of 'killing of freedom fighters'. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) observes it as the day of civil-military revolution.
Lack of democracy worsens situation in Bangladesh: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the government has created an ‘awful’ situation in the country by ‘obliterating’ democracy.
"There’s no democracy in the country while the judiciary has no independence. There’s no freedom of speech and press freedom. More than 35 lakh patriotic people have been harassed with false cases,” he said.
The BNP leader also alleged that the government is resorting to enforced disappearance, killing and repression to suppress its opponents. "A terrible situation has been created in the country as they (govt) have established a fascist rule.”
Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar marking the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ remembering ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 17 in 1975.
Read: Fuel price hike to benefit “looters”: BNP
He said there is no alternative to forging a strong unity of people to ‘restore’ democracy and people’s rights in the country.
“On this day, we’ve taken a vow to unite the people of this country and all political parties and organisations to defeat the fascist government and release Begum Khaleda Zia (from jail),” the BNP leader said.
He said Bangladesh will surely stand on its own feet as an independent force again against hegemony and imperialism. “We’ll continue our struggle to turn Bangladesh into a democratic state."
Also read: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
About the historic event of Nov 7, 1975, Fakhrul said the people had got a scope on that day to materialise the hopes and aspirations with which they fought for independence. “We’re able to consolidate democracy, our independence, and sovereignty under Ziaur Rahman through the civil-military uprising on November 7.”
He said Zia introduced multi-party democracy, free economy and created an opportunity to build a good society. “The biggest thing is that Bangladesh stood up again against socialism, hegemony while the freedom of press and judiciary were ensured…We remember this day repeatedly as it inspires us.”
The BNP leader alleged that Awami League usurped power and destroyed all achievements of the country and people’s all hopes and aspirations by establishing an autocratic rule. “They have ruthlessly destroyed all the pillars of the state with their own hands.”
Earlier, Fakhrul along with BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Nazrul Islam Khan went to Zia’s grave. They, together with some other party leaders, paid homage to Zia.
On this day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the path for Zia to come to power.
While BNP and its alliances celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of 'killing of freedom fighters'. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) observes it as the day of civil-military revolution.
People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
Stating that a change in government is now the demand of people, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday asked the government to hand over power to a non-party neutral government.
"We would like to say it clearly that a change in government is now the demand of people. Awami League has no right to stay in power as they couldn’t solve any problem. They’re now unleashing communal violence and violating human rights,” he said.
Read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but 'out of danger': Fakhrul
Speaking at a ‘peace rally’ in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul also alleged that the Awami League government has made people's lives miserable with its ‘misrule' and repressive acts.
"We ask the government to step down immediately, handing over power to a neutral government for arranging a credible election under a neutral Election Commission so that everyone can cast votes and elect their representatives,” he said.
BNP was scheduled to bring out a ‘peace rally’ towards the Jatiya Press Club from its Nayapaltan central office at 11am.
As the government has deployed a huge number of police in Nayapaltan area since morning, the BNP general secretary announced that the programme was over by holding a brief rally on a makeshift stage in front of their party office.
Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists also gathered in Nayapaltan area to join the rally.
Fakhrul said they sent a letter to the authorities concerned earlier to bring out a peace rally towards the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the planned destruction of communal harmony by the government. “But unfortunately our leaders and workers have been arrested here since morning. So, we’re holding a brief rally now.”
He alleged that police arrested around of their 50 leaders and activists centring the programme and demanded their immediate release.
Hand over power ‘to people’: Fakhrul to govt
Describing the Awami League government as a puppet of hegemonic forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said this regime must go handing over power to the “people” of the country.
“Abrar killing is not an isolated incident as our more than 500 leaders and activists have been made disappeared, and over a thousand others have been killed. These incidents happened as part of a far-reaching plot of hegemonic forces,” he said.
Read:No more game over election to be allowed: Fakhrul -
Speaking at a discussion programme, he said the current government has been ‘serving’ the hegemonic forces as it has become their ‘puppet’.
“Awami League wants to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state by establishing a one-party Baksal rule under cover of democracy. We’ve to come out of this conspiracy through a united movement. I believe it’s not possible to defeat the people of Bangladesh who always struggled for their rights,” the BNP leader said.
The Association of Engineers, Bangladesh arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the second death anniversary of Abrar Fahad, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
Abrar, 21, a second-year electrical and electronic engineering student of Buet, was beaten to death in the university’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall reportedly by a group of Chhatra League leaders and activists on October 7, 2019 following his a post on Facebook against Indian ‘aggression’ on Bangladesh.
Fakhrul said the entire nation, not only BNP, has been going through a crisis as the government obliterated democracy and snatched people’s rights.
“So, the entire nation must unite and fight against the government to overcome the crisis. All patriotic political forces and parties, individuals and social and professional organisations must get united putting aside all conflicts and confusions to establish a government and parliament of people through an uncontainable movement,” he said.
Read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
Stating that Abrar sacrificed his life for the cause of the country, the BNP leader said, “Let's free the country from an autocratic regime and build a truly democratic state to value the sacrifice of Abrar Fahad.”
Fakhrul criticised the government for arresting Nusrat Shahrin Raka, the sister of Kanak Sarwar, a Bangladeshi journalist who is now abroad.
"Kanak Sarwar took shelter in the US to save his life being tortured by this government. He unveiled some facts on the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the USA through his channel. That’s why the government is repressing his sister out of vengeance,” he said.
Fakhrul said it is unimaginable that a housewife like Raka who has no involvement in politics was arrested and put on remand.
He said the government has exposed how much it has become ‘fascist’, ‘authoritarian’ and ‘oppressive’ by torturing such a woman.
“This is nothing new as we have seen many such incidents, including the repression on journalist Rozina Islam, earlier. The mothers and sisters of our many leaders and activists have been repressed and their houses have been demolished the same way,” Fakhrul alleged.
Next election must be under neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the next general election must be held under a neutral government.
“We would like to say it unequivocally that there’ll be no such election in Bangladesh where voters can’t go to polling stations. The election must be held under a neutral government and it must be conducted by an impartial election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said before holding the next national election, the government will have to free Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners and withdraw the ‘false’ cases filed against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists. “Otherwise, no election will be allowed to be held in the country.”
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now 'bureaucrats running' country
Fakhrul urged the government to take necessary steps and create an atmosphere conducive to constituting a neutral election commission.
“You (govt) are talking about the formation of a law for constituting the Election Commission… people won’t accept it if you pass a unilateral law for your own benefit in parliament and form the Election Commission under it,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has politicised all the state machinery. “You (govt) have politicised the judiciary, administration and the law enforcement agencies. Even, you’re trying to politicise the army. We now can't speak up and write freely.”
He said journalists also cannot write anything now without fear as they are being harassed and implicated in cases under the Digital Security Act.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh who liberated the country through a long battle will never accept an authoritarian and one-party rule.
He urged the leaders and activists of Mohila Dal to get united for waging a strong movement for the restoration of democracy and having Khaleda Zia freed from jail.
Read: Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said there is no other alternative for their party to waging a one-point movement for ensuring the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
“We’re trying to forge a strong national unity to force Sheikh Hasina to quit for holding a free and fair election… we won’t get any benefit even if the next election is held under an ‘angel’ keeping Sheikh Hasina in power.”
Govt 'extremely harming' future of students: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government is ‘extremely harming’ the future of lakhs of students by keeping educational institutions closed.
“The strict lockdown was lifted suddenly allowing everything to operate as usual. Thousands of people are walking together and doing everything. But only the educational institutions remained closed,” he said.
While handing over medicines provided by Zia Parishad for BNP’s Covid-19 help centres at party chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said the government has made an arrangement for depriving the future generation of education by not reopening schools, colleges and universities.
He said every country in the world worked out effective plans for vaccination and the continuation of academic activities alongside protecting people’s lives and livelihoods amid the pandemic. “But we don’t have any plan in our country. It’s causing a terrible loss to the new generation.”
The BNP leader said many students do not have the ability to buy computers or smartphones to avail of the scope of online education. “There's a newspaper report that students are now selling balloons and nuts to help their parents as their schools are completely closed. That means they’ve already got diverted.”
Read: Corruption amid pandemic making life miserable: BNP
He said the government is yet to take any step to recover from such a dangerous loss suffered by the new generation due to the closure of the educational institutions. “They (govt) are only misleading people with various misinterpretations and msinformation.”
The government shut the educational institutions on March 17, 2020 after the country had reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. Then the closure was extended several times. The latest extension is supposed to continue till August 31.
'False campaign' over vaccines
Fakhrul alleged that the government has completely failed to tackle coronavirus and ensure proper treatment for the virus-affected people. “It has not been able to create confidence in people that they will get treatment. The entire healthcare system has collapsed just because of corruption. ”
He alleged that the government is confusing people by spreading lies and ‘false campaign’ over the Covid vaccines.
“Experts think 26 crore doses of vaccines are required to bring people over 18 years under the vaccination coverage. But they bring two to three lakh doses as gifts and donations. They announced to provide one crore doses to people every day, but they didn’t have enough vaccines,” he said.
READ: Bid to implicate Zia in Bangabandhu killing a political vengeance: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said the government has been deceiving people by dishing out misinformation and false hopes about the vaccines. “This regime is a shameless and fraud one.”
Hitting back at Quader
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s recent remark on Khaleda Zia’s birthday is devoid of political etiquette. “A responsible politician can’t make such remarks.”
He said the ruling party leaders are trying to divert people’s attention to a different direction from its failure to contain the coronavirus and ensure vaccines by making various 'reckless and indecent' comments against their opponents.
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party leaders are also conducting false campaigns against Ziaur Rahman involving him with the August 15, 1975 killings. “Those who belong to Awami League were involved in the murder incident.”
READ: Dhaka city BNP bodies to help- bring positive changes in politics: Fakhrul
He said the government is trying to belittle Zia by giving people false information against him out of fear of his popularity. “No matter what you say, you won’t be able to remove his name from the hearts of people.”
BNP activists clash with police at Chandrima Udyan
BNP activists clashed with police in front of Chandrima Udyan in the city on Tuesday while visiting Ziaur Rahman's grave after the formation of new city committees.
The clash broke out around 10:30 am when the newly-formed convening committees of BNP's Dhaka city north and south units went to place wreaths at the grave of the party's founder Ziaur Rahman.
Read:Public life at stake for mismanagement in vaccination drive: BNP
The new committees went to Chandrima Udyan to place wreaths at Zia's grave at 11 am on Tuesday.
Witnesses said some leaders and activists, including Aminul Haque, a member secretary of the BNP's Metropolitan North Committee and a former national team footballer, gathered at the park around 10:45 am. Then the police prevented them from going inside.
At that time, the police had an argument with Aminul Haque. At one stage, the police charged batons on them and fired teargas shells.
Aminul Hauqu, Convener of Dhaka Metropolitan north unit of BNP, said, "We've come here today to offer fateha at Ziaur Rahman's grave. But the police are not allowing us to stay there. At one point, police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets on us."
Jane Alam Munsi, officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, said, "The BNP activists were entering the field of Trade Fair which is they were not allowed to do. As there was an internal feud among BNP groups over forming the new convening committees, they started throwing brick chips on the police."
Read:BNP attributes Covid disaster to govt’s overreliance on bureaucrats
Later, police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets on them.