United News of Bangladesh

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur on Monday said the reform proposals finalised through dialogue must be implemented by the current interim government, no matter what. “At any cost, the reforms agreed upon through discussions must be implemented under this government,” he said while delivering his opening speech during a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. A nine-member delegation of Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by Nur, joined the discussion that began at 10:15am with National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. BNP’s Khosru seeks immediate election roadmap for democratic transition Nur said all parties must remain committed and strongly pursue the implementation of effective reforms in the greater interest of the country and the people. “In the case of reforms, national interest and the country should be given priority over personal benefits or the interests of any party or group. This is our appeal to the commission,” he added. He expressed the hope that the ongoing dialogue with the National Consensus Commission would mark an important chapter in Bangladesh’s future progress. Nur said the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy had been trampled over the past 16 years. “To ensure that no future ruler can follow such a path and put the country at risk by oppressing citizens, we want to implement effective reforms through the National Consensus Commission,” he said. Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. Gono Odhikar Parishad agreed with 127 of the 166 proposals made by the Commission, partially agreed with 23, and disagreed with 15. Zonayed Saki urges specific timeframe for national election On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives. The Commission has already held discussions with 19 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP). Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.  

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz on Monday said only unity among all political forces, democratic actors and the mass people can steer the country towards a new Bangladesh by implementing public aspirations. “Only the reports, recommendations and opinions of the Reform Commissions are not enough; rather we can advance the country towards a new Bangladesh through the unity of all political forces, democratic forces, and the mass people,” he said while speaking at a dialogue with Gono Odhikar Parishad in the morning. A nine-member delegation of Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by its President Nurul Haque Nur, participated in the discussion started at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Presiding over the discussion, Prof Ali Riaz said they are working to realise the long-cherished democratic aspirations of the people of the country. “This discussion is a part of our collective effort to open the path for implementing the democratic aspirations the people of Bangladesh have been cherishing for 53 years, and to establish a democratic state,” he added. Rains likely across country, temperature may drop He urged all to come forward to materialise the possibility of reform that emerged after the July Mass Uprising. “The people of Bangladesh, under the leadership of the youths, have created a promising opportunity—let us all move forward together to make that a reality,” he said. Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talksi with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives. The commission has already held talks with 19 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP). 3 shops gutted in Mohammadpur fire Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.      

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday stressed the urgency of holding the next general election to address Bangladesh's mounting economic, social, political, and international challenges. “Elections need to be held very soon. The sooner an elected government comes to power, the sooner it can resolve the current economic, social, political, and foreign issues Bangladesh is facing,” Khasru said. The BNP leader made this remark while talking to reporters at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office about the outcomes of separate meetings with several political parties including Gonoforum and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Khasru highlighted that the country's pressing issues require resolution through a parliament and an elected government. Discussing the BNP’s proposed state reform outline, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to implementing its 31-point reform plan. “We’re committed to the people that we will implement this 31-point agenda,” he said, adding that these reforms must be enacted through a parliament elected by the people. He also emphasized the importance of considering reform proposals from other political parties. “Reform proposals from various parties should be placed and discussed in parliament to make decisions that benefit the nation,” Khasru said. Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan said the uncertainty over the timing of the next general election has not been cleared yet as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus didn’t place a clear roadmap with specific election time before the nation. “All parties expected the chief adviser to present a written roadmap, including an election announcement. However, no such document has been shared, leaving uncertainty about when the next election will take place,” Rashed said. Rashed noted that 43 political parties, including the BNP, played a key role in the recent mass uprising that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. However, he warned that the interim government must not falter in fulfilling its responsibilities. “None of the parties wants this interim government to fail. But if the government fails on its own, the political parties cannot bear that responsibility,” Rashed said. He also raised suspicions about some of the government’s advisers, accusing them of advocating for de-politicization and allegedly supporting the formation of a new political party behind the scenes. “This has created significant doubt among the political forces that worked together during the mass uprising,” he added. Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu also said that election should be held soon and reform proposals will be implemented based on discussion in parliament. “We need to focus on how quickly we can arrange the election, restore democratic rights and the parliament, as well as implement the reforms through the parliament,” he said. The politician said the interim government can place its reform proposals. But whatever reforms are needed should be done based on discussion in the National Parliament, he added. Noting that national unity is needed to solve the current crisis, Montu said this national unity must be based on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. There is no alternative to it, he said. He said they have been carrying out a democratic movement since the beginning, aiming to create a democratic environment for holding free, fair and impartial elections in Bangladesh so that every person can exercise their right to vote, which was not seen in the last 15 years. “We call on everyone to solve our national problems on the basis of national unity and arrange the election quickly after doing whatever is necessary,” said the Gonoforum leader. BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and vice chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu also attended the meetings.  

Gono Odhikar Parishad staged a torch procession in protest against the bails of former ministers Saber Hossain Chowdhury and M.A. Mannan. The march took place at the Bijoynagar on Wednesday evening.  Following the procession, a brief rally was held where Mohammad Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, said, “We must identify those associates of the Awami League who are lurking within the interim government. We need to remove those loyalists from the judiciary and administration. If there is an attempt to rehabilitate the Awami League, the public will rise against this government.” ‘Only the signboard of the syndicate has changed’: Hasnat Abdullah  He questioned, “Why were Saber Hossain Chowdhury and M.A. Mannan arrested? Why were they released claiming a clean image? This makes the Awami League believe that there is a soft corner for them in the interim government. The Awami League will attempt to destabilize the country. If the mass uprising fails in this situation, the government will have to bear the consequences.”  He further added, “We have been leading a revolution from 2018 to 2024. We have never acted as agents for any government, and we will not be agents for this government either.” 

Nearly 20 months into its formation, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad is facing split as a group, led by Nurul Haque Nur, removed Reza Kibria from the position of convener of the party amid growing conflict in the party’s top leadership. The followers of former Ducsu Vice Present Nur, member secretary of the party, made Rashed Khan their acting convener, replacing Kibria. BNP happy over talks with Gono Odhikar Parishad Kibria retaliated by expelling Nur and Rashed from the party. Nur and his supporters held a meeting of the party central executive committee at its central office on Monday and unanimously nominated Rashed, a joint convenor, for the post of the party convenor levelling various allegations against Reza, said a press release issued by party office coordinator Shakil Uzzaman. It said the meeting discussed the evolving situation caused by various political activities of Reza Kibria and the current situation of the country alongside the organizational issues. Gono Odhikar Parishad's V-Day rally held Friday “Under the emerging situation, the meeting also unanimously nominated the number one joint convener Md Rashed Khan as the convener of the party to conduct its organizational activities in an orderly manner,” the press release said. A rift in the party's top leadership surfaced recently as both Reza and Nur gave posts on their Facebook accounts accusing each other of 'lack of transparency and lies' in financial and organizational matters. Contacted Reza, now in Cambodia, said the problem brewed in their party as he raised questions about party funding and Nur’s reported meeting with various intelligence agencies, including Mossad member Mendi N Safadi. He said the source of income of Nur and Rashed is not visible and he thinks they lead their life based on extortion. Besides, he said Nur arrogantly declared himself as the chief of the party’s Probashi Odhikar Parisahd and he visited different countries, including Qatar, to raise funds for the party. “But he did not disclose how much money he raised." Reza said they held an emergency meeting of the party on Sunday last in Gulshan where he sought an explanation from Nur about financial transparency and accountability and the reasons for communication with various anti-state intelligence agencies. “Later, an unexpected situation arose forcing him to adjourn the meeting. Following that meeting, he said, Nur and his supporters are trying to split the party. Reza said 75 percent of party leaders and workers, including the senior ones, are with him. He said they have already taken a decision to replace Nur and Rashed. “We’ll sit in a meeting again very soon and announce the name of a new member secretary of our party.” Nur, however, said the allegations brought against him are false and fabricated. He alleged that Reza brought the allegations to hide his own misdeeds, anti-party activities, and his connections with different intelligence agencies. On October 26, 2021, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad was launched with Reza Kibria as its convenor and former Ducsu Vice Present Nurul Haque Nur as member secretary with the motto of restoration of democracy, establishment of justice, rights of people, and saving the national interests.  

Nurul Haque Nur, member secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, has said that the Awami League government executed some “innocent” leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami on “India’s prescription”. “Jamaat is not legally banned. But it is the Awami League that has executed some innocent leaders of Jamaat, in the name of war crimes trial, prescribed by India,” Nur said. Also read: Nur defends top aide Tarek’s “offensive remarks” on Hindu religious scripture Speaking at a Gono Odhikar Parishad rally in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, he said, “Jamaat has held a rally in Dhaka for the first time in 10 years. Three ministers of Awami League said it was a political decision by the government.” “I believe Jamaat’s ideology and its politics will not allow it to do anything that benefits the Awami League. But there is no last word when it comes to politics. We do not know Jamaat’s current position. But it is clear from their statements that they will be on the streets,” Nur said. Also read: Jamaat holds first rally after a decade, demands polls under caretaker govt "We need everyone’s support to overthrow this government. So, we are with BNP, Jamaat, Jatiya Party, Charmonai …whoever will be on the streets. We are not in favour of keeping this government in power even for a single week,” he added. Referring to the recent Barishal city corporation election, Nur said, “You have seen a candidate being beaten up and left in a bloodied state. He is a veteran figure, a respected figure among Muslim scholars. We condemn this attack on him.” Also read: Awami League's policy unchanged despite allowing Jamaat rally: Home Minister

Right after returning to Bangladesh, Member Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur has defended Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman — arrested over assisting a militant group — as a “humanitarian” individual. “How could the government arrest such a humanitarian person like the ameer of Jamaat?” — Nur said in a video of a press conference today. According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the Jamaat ameer’s son got involved with the militant group Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya. Later, Shafiqur allegedly supported and funded them. Two police officers were injured in a clash with Jamaat-e-Islami activists during their demonstration protesting the arrest of their ameer in Rajshahi city on December 13, 2022. Jamaat, Shibir men also clashed with police on December 30 — leaving several people, including cops, injured. Read more: ‘Free arrested Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists’: Nur, Saki submit memo to DU VC The latest call by Nur, defending the Jamaat ameer and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, comes after his return from a much talked about overseas trip, during which he reportedly met an individual named Mendi N Safadi, apparently an agent of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A sedition complaint was filed against Nur in this regard. "It seems that Nur has been involved in a conspiracy to unseat the elected government in Bangladesh," the complaint says.