BNP Secretary General
AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the Awami League government has stigmatised the independence of Bangladesh by distorting the history of the country's Liberation War.
"We would like to say it clearly that there'll be no use in falsifying the truth in Goebbelsian style and suppressing the rights of people," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the current government has destroyed democracy by dashing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "They're now working to establish a one-party system of government.”
Fakhrul urged the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a fearless mass movement to 'restore' democracy by ousting the Awami League government.
BNP arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders are constantly spitting venom against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his widow Khaleda Zia just out of political jealousy. "They try to belittle Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and BNP for the same reason.
He called upon the Awami League leaders to ask themselves about their contributions to the country.
"Their contributions are to surrender to the Pakistanis and become leaders fleeing the country to India (during the Liberation War). Their contributions are to destroy democracy and establish a one-party rule annihilating the soul of the nation and Bangladesh," the BNP leader said.
He alleged that Awami League is now trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda against Zia and raising a question about his role in the Liberation War.
Fakhrul said Zia is there in people's hearts as they know his contributions to the country and the Liberation War.' "History has accepted Zia, no matter what propaganda the ruling party spreads."
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
He urged BNP leaders and activists to work for uniting the country's people and all the democratic forces to defeat the 'autocratic' regime of Sheikh Hasina. "We have to establish a pro-people government and free Khaleda Zia from jail. The victory of the people is certain."
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party's main target is now to free the country from the hands of a 'despotic' government and restore democracy and thus free Khaleda from jail. "I call upon all to get ready for a strong movement with a vow to oust the autocratic regime.
Having Khaleda freed BNP’s main challenge: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the restoration of democracy and the complete release of Khaleda Zia are now the biggest challenges for their party.
"People are now being deprived of the right to vote today for lack of credible elections as the Election Commission has become a subservient institution,” he said.
While talking to reporters after paying homage to Zia, he also said the entire administration and the judiciary have been politicised by establishing a one-party despotic regime in disguise.”
Fakhrul, along with party standing committee members and some senior leaders, placed wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, marking the party’s 43rd founding anniversary.
On September 1, 1978, late President Ziaur Rahman founded the party with a 19-point programme to build a self-reliant Bangladesh.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
BNP and its associate bodies took up various programmes, including discussion, to mark the day.
He said BNP stepped into 44 years today (Wednesday) after 43 years of various struggles. “The biggest challenges for BNP are now to restore democracy in the country and free Khaleda Zia.”
Fakhrul said BNP is standing on its own feet despite various obstacles and repressive acts. “Our 35 lakh leaders and activists have been facing false cases while 500 others have been made disappeared.”
He said they are working to reorganise their party and making them ready to take to the streets. “We hope we’ll be able to play a big role in restoring democracy next year and the year after.”
Fakhrul recalled Zia’s role in introducing multi-party democracy, the free-market economy in the country and taking it forward with various reforms and effective steps.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
“When the enemies of the independence assassinated Ziaur Rahman, everyone thought that the BNP might lose its existence. But his worthy successor and the uncompromising leader of democracy, Zia, took the helm of the party. She gave democracy an institutional shape through a long struggle for nine years.”
He said it is unfortunate for the nation that Khaleda has been kept in jail as the government has implicated her in ‘false’ cases.
He came down hard on Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque for what he said making various remarks about a freedom fighter like Ziaur Rahman, his body and grave. “Let him (Haque) prove that he was a freedom fighter.”
AL destroying Bangladesh like 'demonic force Assur': Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that Awami League has become an ‘evil force’ like ‘Assur’ as it is destroying all the achievements of Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is now under the grip of two Assur (demonic) forces -- one is coronavirus another is Awami League. This party is destroying all of our achievements and the good things like our independence and democracy that we achieved through the Liberation War,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with the remarks while addressing a virtual discussion arranged by BNP, marking Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community.
He said the ruling party has created a situation in the country where untruth and injustice have been established exiling the truth. “Awami League has also created a horrible situation here by resorting to killings, enforced disappearances and repressive acts.”
Fakhrul said the path Lord Sri Krishna showed to establish truth and justice by defeating unjust will have to be followed. “As Krishna advised Arjuna to embark on Rath Yatra (chariot procession) to establish justice, we’ve to do the same to defeat demonic power Awami League and establish the truth.”
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
He said the young generation should come forward to ‘restore’ democracy and win the battle for ensuring justice.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League only speaks of secularism, but the party does not practise it. “They have unfortunately occupied the property of minority communities and destroyed their worship places. It has continued persecuting the members of the minority community.”
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the government must take the responsibility of the families of those who were ‘subjected to enforced disappearance’.
“Who will take the responsibility for the helplessness of these families? There’re many people who have not been found for 9-10 years. Over 500 of our leaders and workers, including Ilias Ali and Chowdhury Alam, remained missing for many years,” he told a human-chain programme.
The BNP leader said the children of the victims of the enforced disappearance still wait for the return of their fathers.
“You’ve heard the cries of the children of the victims. You (govt) say these (disappearances) do not happen here. If so, where did they go? It’s your responsibility to trace them and give them back to their families one by one. You must do it. Otherwise, you’ll be tried in people's court.”
BNP’s human rights cell arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The family members of many victims of the enforced disappearances joined the programme holding the photos of their missing near and dear ones.
Speaking at the programmes, the aggrieved family members appealed to the government for taking effective steps to find out the whereabouts of their fathers and sons and brothers.
Fakhrul bemoaned that Bangladesh has now become such a country where children go missing, but no one find their whereabouts.
“Law enforcers pick them up, but the government don’t give any answer to it. We can't hold back our tears seeing the pain and agony and the helplessness of the relatives of the victims,” he said.
Expressing solidarity with the distressed family members, the BNP leader called upon the government to return the missing people to their parents, children, wives and brothers and sisters.
Fakhrul urged the people of all walks of life to be vocal to stop the culture of enforced disappearance and get rid of such a crime against humanity.
He alleged that the current government is “destroying” the entire nation just to hang onto power “illegally”. "It has destroyed our constitution, our democratic rights and economy, and politicised the entire administration.”
Fakhrul called upon people to get united to install a democratic and pro-people administration by politically defeating Awami League government. “Let’s work together and launch a movement to remove the monstrous regime.”
PM’s remark on Zia’s grave 'absurd': BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday termed absurd the Prime Minister’s remark that Ziaur Rahman’s body is not there at Chandrima Udyan graveyard, saying that it has exposed her political 'vengeance'.
“The President of Awami League, who declared herself the Prime Minister through late-night voting, has once again spitted venom against Ziaur Rahman and talked about his grave and role in the Liberation War. It’s a ridiculous statement,” he said
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he also said it is a truth like the daylight that Zia fought in the battlefield and led the war in 1971.
“Lakhs of people in the country cried for him (Zia) on the day he was assassinated and joined his janaza on Manik Mia Avenue, exhibiting his immense popularity,” the BNP leader said.
Read: Corruption amid pandemic making life miserable: BNP
Earlier in the day, the Prime minister said “BNP engaged in fights at Chandrima Udyan. Doesn't the BNP know that there's no grave or body of Zia, or Zia is not there? They know it very well! If so, why do they stage the drama? Khaleda Zia is also aware of it.”
While addressing a programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban, Sheikh Hasina also said whether Khaleda Zia or Tarique Zia could claim that they saw Zia’s body in the box (which was brought from Chattogram) as a bullet-hit body can easily be recognised. “No one saw it as there was no body (of Zia) in the box,” she said.
Fakhrul accused Awami League of committing an act of treason by violating the country’s constitution. “They’ve killed democracy and snatched voting rights of people, turning Bangladesh into a vassal state.”
He said Bangladeshi nationalism and the nation’s existence will be at stake if Awami League stays in power for a long time.
READ: Bid to implicate Zia in Bangabandhu killing a political vengeance: Fakhrul
Earlier, while inaugurating BNP’s Corona Help Centre at Dhaka-10 constituency, Fakhrul called upon the party leaders and activists for taking preparations for a tough movement to oust the current government.
“If we can’t remove Awami League from power, we won’t be able to free Khaleda Zia and get rid of thousands of false cases. So, we must take to the streets and defeat this regime,” he said.
Fakhrul said BNP has no other option but to put up a strong resistance against the current government to ‘restore’ democracy and people’s voting and all other rights. “The youth must wake up and lead the movement for bringing a change in power demonstrating their courage.”
Salam Talukder's 22nd death anniv Friday
The 22nd death anniversary of former BNP secretary general Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder will be observed on Friday.
Local BNP and Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder Smrity Sangsad have chalked out various programmes, including virtual discussion and milad mahfil, to observe the day with due respect.
Abdus Salam Talukder Smrity Sangsad will arrange a virtual discussion at 3pm marking the day. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party senior leaders will join the programme
Also read: Govt keeping media busy with ‘dramas to hide failures’: BNP
Local BNP and Abdus Salam’s family members will arrange doa and milad mahfil in different areas of Jamalpur, including Sharishabari, and cooked food will be distributed among the destitute.
BNP issued a message recalling its former secretary general's outstanding contributions to making the party a stronger political organisation.
In the message, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "We pay our deep respect to his departed soul on his death anniversary."
He said Salam Talukder had played a significant role in the anti-Ershad movement in the 80s and in establishing democracy and people’s rights in Bangladesh.
Also read: BNP attributes Covid disaster to govt’s overreliance on bureaucrats
On August 20, 1999, Salam Talukder died on the way to Singapore for medical treatment.
Salam Talukder was elected MP from Sharishabari of Jamalpur in 1979 and 1991.
‘Govt unleashes its reign of terror,’ says Fakhrul
Condemning the attack on the residence of Barishal Sadar Upazila UNO reportedly by BCL activists, BNP on Thursday alleged that the government has unleashed its reign of terror in the country.
“The incident in Barisal has manifested that they (govt) have unleashed a reign of terror all over the country. Such incidents have been happening everywhere as the government has let loose the ruling party cadres,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He came up with the allegation while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave along with the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal, marking its 41st founding anniversary.
Read: Corruption amid pandemic making life miserable: BNP
Fakhrul said the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists also padlocked the office room of Dhaka University Law Department Professor Asif Nazrul on the campus and threatened him with dire consequences. “Would you call it a civilised democratic country? It (current govt) is worse than Pakistanis.”
Police allowed a small number of Sewchchasebak Dal leaders to enter the grave premises of Zia following Tuesday’s clash between the law enforcers and leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka south and north units in the same area over a similar programme.
About Tuesday’s clash, Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists gathered in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area to peacefully place a wreath at Zia’s grave and offer fateha there marking the formation of new convening committees of BNP’s Dhaka north and south units.
“Our leaders and activists went there with emotion following the formation of the new committees. But they (police) could not tolerate it. They attack with arms whenever they see any public gathering. They admitted to firing 187 rounds of bullets. Can’t we even carry out peaceful programmes in a democratic country? It can’t go on like this,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the law enforcers and the ruling party ‘cadres’ are also obstructing BNP leaders and activists from distributing relief materials in different parts of the country.
He said the government has been trying to suppress the opposition leaders and activists with repressive acts so that they cannot raise their voice in favour of the country’s people.
Read: BNP leader Fakhrul turns 73
Fakhrul said at least 25 leaders and activists of their party were detained as they came to pay homage to Zia today (Thursday) while many others were arrested earlier following Tuesday’s clash.
He demanded the government to release all the arrested leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies and withdraw ‘false’ cases filed against them.
The BNP leader said the government’s main target is to establish a one-party rule in Baksal style by eliminating all the opposition parties.
Fakhrul warned that no fascist and authoritarian regime could hang onto power for a long time in the history of the world. “We must defeat this government together with people through a united movement.”
People don’t believe propaganda against Zia: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said people do not believe the ruling party’s ‘false’ campaign that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.“The current Awami League government is a puppet one and it has got isolated from people…no one believes false campaigns against Ziaur Rahman as he has been there in the hearts of the country’s people,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said the government has been trying to mislead people and the new generation to perpetuate its power by resorting to lies.Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party leaders have been carrying out various ‘false’ campaigns to establish a ‘distorted’ history of the Liberation War. “So, we must uphold people’s right to know the truth and the culture of practicing true history in the interests of the entire nation and the future generations.”He said Law Minister Anisul Huq’s comment involving Ziaur Rahman in the assassination of Bangabandhu is false, baseless, and politically motivated.
READ: Bid to implicate Zia in Bangabandhu killing a political vengeance: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said the law minister has put the verdict of Bangabandhu murder case under a question through his that remark.He said the trial of the murder case was completed after a long investigation and examination of the documents and witnesses with utmost sincerity.He questioned as to why the law minister is trying to create a fresh controversy over the murder of Bangabandhu which is a ‘past and closed chapter’ with the completion of the trial.BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Awami League is distorting the history to confuse people and the new generation by hiding the fact.
He said Awami League leaders themselves created the ground for the August 15, 1975 incident and they were involved in it. “They’re now trying to shift the blame for the incident onto others to protect their political existence. I would like to say they must be accountable to people for distorting the history.”BNP Vice-Chairman Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed said Awami League wants to belittle Zia out of jealousy due to his outstanding contributions to the Liberation War and the development of the country.
READ: Dhaka city BNP bodies to help- bring positive changes in politics: Fakhrul
“They have started saying that Ziaur Rahman was involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination. They think it's been almost 50 years. So now is the time to make such lies true. They have taken this evil initiative to brand Zia as a killer conspirator through false propaganda.”
Bid to implicate Zia in Bangabandhu killing a political vengeance: Fakhrul
Condemning Law Minister’s statement on Zia’s link to Bangabandhu killing, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said it is the government’s ill-effort to mislead people out of political vengeance.
“We (BNP) think the government is trying to mislead people by distorting history and falsehood only because of political retaliation. Such propaganda is just an attempt to hide facts,” said the BNP secretary general at a press conference.
Law Minister Anisul Haque said on Thursday said Ziaur Rahman was involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu and the evidence on it will be made public.
“The evidence of Ziaur Rahman's involvement in the assassination will be made public through a commission,” the minister said.
Read: Workers’ lives have little value to govt: Fakhrul
Talking about repeated incidents of vessel crashes under Parma Bridge, Mirza Fakhrul said the movement of ferries should have been shifted earlier from the Shimulia-Banglabazar route to avoid such incidents.
"It's a matter of common sense. The current is very strong in the river and it’s very natural that water vessels might get slightly diverted from course during this time,” he said.
“However, the situation has created a great opportunity for the ruling party and their men. They might try building a new ferry terminal all together citing the crisis. This would give them a chance to embezzle crores of taka in the new project,” Fakhrul said.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) on Friday night requested passengers to use Paturia ferry terminal, instead of Shimulia, to cross the mighty Padma River.
Read: Govt deceiving people over Covid vaccines: BNP
BIWTC authorities claimed that the ferry crisis on Shimulia-Banglabazar route is the reason for diverting vehicles to Paturia-Daulatdia route.
On Friday night, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader hinted that any one of Shimulia or Banglabazar ferry terminals might be shifted elsewhere to reduce the chances of such accidents.
In the past two months, at least five such accidents have happened in the district.
Dhaka city BNP bodies to help- bring positive changes in politics: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday hoped that the new convening committees of their party’s Dhaka south and north units will play a pivotal role in bringing positive changes in politics.
“People across the country have high expectations from the two committees formed with tested leaders. We hope they’ll bring about qualitative changes in Bangladesh politics,” he said.
The BNP leader said, “We also hope they’ll play their role in restoring democracy removing the current undemocratic government which is destroying all our hopes and aspirations.”
Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with the leaders of newly-formed convening committees of BNP’s Dhaka south and north units at his Uttara residence.
Read: Workers’ lives have little value to govt: Fakhrul
He asked the convening committees to quickly reorganise their organisations for the formation of full-fledged committees of the two units through councils.
On Monday, the party announced fresh convincing committees for its Dhaka south and north units by dissolving the existing ones.
Party chairperson’s adviser and freedom fighter Abdus Salam made the convener of a 49-member convening committee of Dhaka south city unit BNP while Jubo Dal leader Rafiqul Alam Mojnu its member secretary.
BNP chairperson’s another adviser and ex-Ducsu VP Amanullah Aman was made the convener of a 47-member convening committee of the party's Dhaka north city unit while ex-national footballer Aminul Islam its member secretary.
Read: Govt deceiving people over Covid vaccines: BNP
Meanwhile, leaders of the two committees started their organisational activities at their office at Bhasani Bhaban in the city’s Nayapaltan area in the afternoon.
BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince welcomed the Dhaka city leaders as they visited the party’s Nayapltan central office.