BNP Secretary General
Time not ripe yet to go for anti-govt movement: Fakhrul
Stating that the correct time has not come yet to go for an anti-government movement, BNP Secretary General on Monday said it will not be possible to stage a mass upsurge without the active participation of the young generation.
“Many of you ask why BNP is not calling for a movement? BNP will surely do it when the party thinks it is the right time for waging a movement,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said, “Students and workers must play a big role in the movement as they did in the past. A mass upsurge is necessary to defeat the current regime by organising the youth.”
Also read:Plot hatched to make Bangladesh 'subservient’ state: Fakhrul
Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 40th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Recalling the role of students and youths in ousting HM Ershad in the 90s, Fakhrul said people will get united if the young generation comes forward for bringing about a change in power.
He, however, said the reality in the 90s and that of in 2021 is not the same. “There’ve been lots of changes in the course of time. We’ve to move on with the trend of change. Or else, we’ll never be successful.”
The BNP leader said one thing is clear that no election can be held in a free and fair manner under the current government and the Election Commission. “So, they’ve to go…then there must come a change through an election under a neutral government and a neutral election commission. We the country’s people have to do this. Neither America nor China, nor India will bring this change for us.”
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party leaders are indulging in widespread ‘plundering’ and they are buying houses and making shopping malls in different countries, including Canada, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. “No one keeps money in the country anymore as they know the time will come when everyone will be made accountable to people.”
Mentioning that the government has completely failed to deal with the coronavirus crisis, he said the government’s only goal is to plunder and steal public money through corruption.
He said Health Minister Zahid Maleque was present during the signing of a deal with Regent Hospital, but later only hospital chairman Shahed Karim was sent to jail for the Covid test scam. “When Shahed can be taken to jail, then why not the minister? He (minister) is equally responsible for it."
Govt's apathy behind recurring slum fires: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that there have been repeated fire incidents at different slums in the capital due to the government’s indifference to take effective preventive measures.
In a statement, he also alleged that the ruling party men’s efforts to grab land, evict the slum dwellers and establish their control over the slum areas are also the major reasons behind the repeated fire incidents.
READ: Govt 'doing business' over Covid vaccine: BNP
The BNP leader issued the statement voicing deep concerns over the fire incident at ‘Sat Tala Slum’ in the city’s Mohakhali area early Monday.
“More than 200 shanties of the poor and hard-working people were gutted in a fire at Sat Tala Slum in Mohakhali today (Monday). It’s a very heartbreaking incident. I extend my deepest sympathy to the victims of this horrific fire incident,” he said.
Fakhrul said though the fire incidents repeatedly took place in the capital’s different slums in the past, the government and the city corporations have remained reluctant about taking any effective step to prevent that.
He said the government formed probe bodies after the fire incidents, but the reports of these committees have so far not come to light. “Due to such indifference of the government, many lives are lost in incidents taking place one after another, and people are becoming pauper and helpless by losing their belongings.”
The BNP leader said the government’s failure and negligence to protect the shanties and property has put the lives of many slum dwellers at stake. “Many questions have also arisen in public mind about the government's failure.”
He said the victims of the slum fire are now left in a humanitarian crisis under the open sky with no food and shelter amid rain and coronavirus risk.
READ: BNP desperate to regain power through dark ways: Quader
Fakhrul urged the government to rehabilitate the homeless people of the Sat Tala Slum and take steps to ensure necessary food, clothing, medical treatment and relief for the fire victims.
He also demanded the formation of an impartial investigation committee into the fire in the incident and compensation for the victims.
Khaleda taken back to cabin from CCU
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, was taken back to a cabin from the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital on Thursday, just after a month.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said she was moved to the cabin around 5pm as per the advice of her physicians.
"Madame (Khaleda) has been brought to the cabin as her long stay in the CCU is risky. As she has already had infections there, the doctors have advised taking her back to the cabin,” he said.
Also read: Post-Covid complications affected Khaleda’s heart, kidneys: Fakhrul
He said the BNP chief will be given treatment for post-Covid complications with CCU facilities in the cabin.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27.
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
Also read: Remove barriers to sending Khaleda abroad: BNP
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 post-Covid complications.
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.
Refrain from making reckless comments on Khaleda: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud to refrain from making ‘unguarded’ comments on their party chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“Khaleda Zia is undergoing treatment at a hospital in a critical condition. Doctors are suggesting advanced treatment of her,” he said.
The BNP leader said, “The information minister has claimed that we’re doing politics over Begum Zia's physical condition. He should be ashamed of himself for making such a remark. I again ask him not to make reckless comments on her as people don’t like it.”
READ: Govt not allowing Khaleda to go abroad: Fakhrul
He came up with the call while speaking at a discussion arranged by Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum’s Dhaka Bar unit at Dhaka Judge Court auditorium, marking BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s 40th death anniversary.
Fakhrul said Awami League has long been trying to remove Zia from people’s hearts by distorting history, but it will not be able to do so.
He said the ruling party has destroyed all the state institutions and ‘snatched’ people’s rights to ‘reestablish’ one-party rule in the country.
The BNP leader said the government destroyed the health sector through widespread ‘plundering and corruption’. ‘Their corruption has not stopped even during this corona period. They’re plundering public money and building houses abroad with that.”
Fakhrul alleged that the government did nothing for the poor and destitute during this corona pandemic as it only fooled people in the name of incentives.
He said the government must provide the poor and low-income people with necessary financial support to keep the wheels of the economy moving since around six crore people are now living below the poverty line in Bangladesh.
"If we want to keep the poor alive and keep the economy afloat, we’ve to give them cash support so that they can buy food. But they (govt) are not doing anything for the poor and day-labourers,” he observed.
READ: Khaleda’s body temperature under control: Fakhrul
Fakhrul doubted whether the national budget to be unveiled by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday will be pro-people one. “In an interview, he (Kamal) said he has formulated the budget considering the interest of all types of people. Mustafa Kamal is a businessman and he understands the business well. We haven't seen any sign of how much he understands the economy."
Khaleda’s body temperature under control: Fakhrul
The body temperature of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, being treated at Evercare Hospital in the capital for over one and a half months back, is now under control, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday.
"I would like to thank the doctors as they’ve been providing treatment to her (Khaleda) tirelessly. Her body temperature is now under control due to their proper treatment,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, marking his 40th death anniversary.
Also read: Khaleda Zia suffering from fever
Fakhrul also said doctors are hopeful that the fever may not affect her further as she has been given necessary treatment.”
He, however, voiced anger over the denial of permission by the government to send the BNP chief abroad for advanced treatment.
"We’re saddened that the leader who had fought for democracy throughout her life and was tortured by Pakistani occupation forces in 1971, is not given any opportunity now for her treatment abroad, " the BNP leader said.
He said they have repeatedly been talking about advanced treatment of Khaled, but the government is depriving her of that opportunity because of their “vengeful politics”.
On Friday, Fkharul said Khaleda was suddenly affected by fever suddenly on Thursday night.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
Also read: Post-Covid complications affected Khaleda’s heart, kidneys: Fakhrul
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 post-Covid complications.
Her family submitted an application to the government on May 6 seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment, but it was turned down as a convicted person cannot avail of such a scope.
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.
Plot hatched to make Bangladesh 'subservient’ state: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that a plot has been hatched to make Bangladesh a 'subservient’ state.
"Those who killed Ziaur Rahman on May 30, 1971 were the enemies of Bangladesh's independence and the people of Bangladesh…they’re now conspiring to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state,” he said.
He made the allegation at a virtual discussion meeting on Saturday, marking BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s 40th death anniversary.
Fakhrul said Awami League tried to eliminate BNP through repressive acts, but they have failed to do so as BNP does politics for the country and its people.
He said their party has been on a movement to ‘restore’ the rights of people and democracy for over a decade. “We’ve to continue our struggle to reach the desired goal. Let’s all unite to free our motherland from the grasp of autocracy and establish a truly democratic liberal Bangladesh. ”
Also read: Fakhrul for unity among professionals to get rid of repression
The BNP leader also said the government has imprisoned their party chief Khaleda Zia as she was carrying out a movement to protect the country, its people and ‘restore’ democracy.
He said the government is not allowing seriously sick Khaleda to go abroad so that she cannot stand by the country’s people by recovering from her illness with advanced treatment.
Describing late President Ziaur Rahman as a 'short-lived patriotic statesman', Fakhrul recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the country’s Liberation War and its development.
BNP is set to observe the 40th death anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman across the country on Sunday with different programmes.
Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981.
Govt sowing 'seeds of communalism': BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday accused the government of sowing the seeds of communalism in the country in a planned way.
“They (govt) are spreading the poison of communalism and sowing its seeds knowingly. Unfortunately, they have brought the communalism to Bangladesh that emerged in the neighbuoring country (India),” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said the March-26 clashes between police and Hefazat activists took place as communalism spread in Bangladesh. “They’re now arresting people, torturing them and making them disappeared. But the Awami League government is fully responsible for what is happening now in the country due to communalism.”
BNP arranged the programme marking the Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community.
Fakhrul said democracy is disappearing and getting annihilated duet the rise of autocracy, fascism and communalism. “Democracy is getting defeated amid bigotry. It’s being defeated by authoritarianism and fascism. Those in power are killing people, depriving them of their rights and torturing them to perpetuate power. This is happening all over the world. Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of it.”
He said the dreams of the people of Bangladesh, who had fought in 1971 to build a non-communal humanitarian state with equality, have broken as a group of people turned the country into a ‘monstrous state’ by destroying all the systems just to keep themselves in power."
The BNP leader said there is no peace in the country now due to the vindictive attitude of the government. “There are no efforts for the welfare of people here since a group of people are amassing wealth by plundering public money.”
He urged people to get united to overcome the current situation of the country. "We’ll create a truly enlightened, democratic state with equality by removing darkness created by Awami League. "Let's take this oath today and get united irrespective of caste and religion to protect the county, restore democratic rights and save people defeating the monstrous regime.”
BNP slams govt over Israel issue
Stating that Israel is a threat to the entire world, BNP on Sunday questioned as to why the Awami League government is trying to develop a relationship with that country by removing the words "except Israel" in the new passport.
“The Home Ministry has decided to remove the word "except Israel" from the new passport. There’s a consensus among our people that Israel is our enemy as they’ve destroyed human rights,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said, “Israel is a threat not only to the Middle East but also to the entire world. Why’s the Bangladesh government going to build a loving relationship with Israel?"
Fakhrul said there is a correlation between the government’s move to remove the word “expect Israel” from the passport and Al Jazeera's report that Bangladesh bought a surveillance device or spying equipment originally made by Israel.
“That’s why there’s a fear among the people of the country whether the government is going to make such an agreement again with Israel or whether it's going to do something else. We all know Israel is the best in the world in terms of intelligence,” Fakhrul said.
He said people are observing with deep concern the government’s new move regarding Israel.
About BNP’s position on Israel, he said, “We would like to make it clear BNP has no link with Israel. We’ve an anti-Israel stance. “We’ve always been against Israel. We’re still in the same position.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said there has been no change in Bangladesh's position towards Israel as it still does not recognise Israel.
Talking to UNB, he also said removing the words like valid for travelling “except Israel” in the new passport does not mean that there has been a change in Bangladesh’s position.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been running the country depending on bureaucracy as it has lost ground beneath its feet for lack of public support.
He also said the government is now letting loose detectives against journalists and creating obstacles to publishing many reports by giving various instructions.
No change in Khaleda’s condition
Fakhrul said he briefed journalists about the BNP chief’s health condition two days back. “There’s no change in her condition. She’s in the same condition as she was two days ago.”
He said Khaleda Zia is being given physiotherapy as part of her treatment.
On Friday, Fakhrul said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s kidneys and heart have been affected by post-Covid complications.
“It’s a matter of little worry that her (Khaleda’s) heart and kidneys have been affected by her post-Covid complications. Doctors are worried about this and they’re trying to figure out how to cure it,” he said.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
Though she has already tested negative for the virus, Khaleda is still receiving treatment at the CCU of the hospital for post-Covid complications and other comorbidities.
Fakhrul demands Rozina's immediate release
Stating that the arrest and harassment of Prothom Alo's Senior Reporter Rozina Islam is an example of the government's obstruction to revealing the truth and corruption, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday demanded her immediate release.
In a statement, he also demanded the resignation of Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Health Secretary Abdul Mannan as he thinks Rizina was repressed at their behest.
“The government can’t avoid the responsibility of cruel attitude towards journalists in the Health Ministry. Although the health minister and the secretary knew about the incident, they didn’t take any step to rescue Rozina Islam. Instead, she was handed over to the police,” Fakhrul said.
Also Read: Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina arrested under Official Secrets Act
“This’s not a trivial or isolated incident. This’s just an example of suppression of journalists by the authoritarian ruler and also an example of the government's obstruction to expressing dissenting opinions, uncovering the truth and rampant corruption,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the brave and investigative journalists have been intimidated by the incident so that they can no longer make reports on the government’s ‘corruption, plundering, irregularities and waywardness’. “The government wants to cover up its corruption and misrule by spreading fear and panic.”
He said the country’s people could know about many malpractices and irregularities through many investigative and courageous reports by Rozina. “That's why the government was angry with her and she was kept under its watch.”
As she went to the Health Ministry alone for professional reasons on Monday, the BNP leader said some officials and employees of the ministry unfairly confined her to a room for six hours and tortured her both physically and mentally. “She was arrested later. Such attitude towards a female journalist by the government officials is a shameful and unforgivable crime. We strongly protest and condemn the incident and the arrest of the journalist.”
Also Read: Prothom Alo journo Rozina sent to jail
Fakhrul said the nasty incident has manifested that there is no scope left in Bangladesh for independent journalism and getting information.
He demanded the government release Rozina immediately after withdrawing the false charges brought against her. “Exemplary punishment of those involved in torturing and arresting her must be ensured.”
Fakhrul also demanded an end to the government’s interference in independent journalism and right to information, and repression and suppression of journalists.
Earlier in the day, a Dhaka court sent Rozina, arrested in a case under the Official Secrets Act, to jail after rejecting the podemand of police for her five-day remand.
Rozina was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday.
The Prothom Alo journalist has turned all the allegations. "I was, in fact, harassed at the Secretariat," she claimed immediately after her arrest.
No eid joy for BNP over a decade: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said their party leaders and activists have not been able to feel the joy of eid for a decade as they have been subjected to killing, enforced disappearance and other repressive acts.
“Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today (Friday) through lots of hardship and hard time. On one hand, there’s a dangerous outbreak of Covid and there're serious repressive acts by the fascist government,” he said.
Also Read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
The BNP leader said, “To be honest, we don’t have the joy of eid. Because our leaders and activists have been killed and implicated in false cases. At least our 35 lakh leaders and workers have been made accused (in different cases). Eid never comes to the families of those who are accused of false charges. That’s the reality. "
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after offering fateha at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of eid.
Describing the current government as a very cruel one, the BNP leader said its repression and suppression is indescribable. “We're going through such a situation.”
Fakhrul said they prayed to Allah for protecting people from the grasp of the ‘monstrous’ government “We also sought his help so that we can defeat fascism together with people.”
Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has been in jail for three years, he said they get inspiration thinking that she's alive. “With this inspiration, we’ll move forward.”
The BNP leader said Khaleda, who have been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, congratulated the country’s people on the occasion of eid.
Also Read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul
He said the health condition of the BNP chief has been improving, but she's not out of risk. “Physicians are hopeful that she’ll recover soon. She urged the country’s people to pray for her.”
Fakhrul criticised the government for what he said enforcing lockdown without any proper plan. "You’ve seen how people are getting confused because of the wrong policies of the government. Even, five people have already died on the way to their homes.”
He said though the government has kept the services of public transport suspended due to the lockdown, passengers’ movement cannot be stopped. “Such a situation wouldn’t have happened had the lockdown been enforced with proper plans.”