United News of Bangladesh

Calling for an ‘ironclad unity’ to defend mass uprising gains, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday said people are eagerly waiting for a positive democratic transformation in Bangladesh. “The people from all walks of life, especially the youth, are eagerly waiting for a positive democratic transformation in Bangladesh,” she said while addressing the opening session of BNP's extended meeting in the capital through a virtual platform from London. The meeting, which began at 11 am on the LD Hall premises of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex, was attended by 3,500 leaders from across the country. In her six-minute speech, the BNP chairperson said all must rise above petty divisions and narrowness and work in the greater interest of the country and the nation. "The allies of fascists and enemies of Bangladesh are still engaged in deep conspiracies to destroy the achievements of the mass uprising. We must take people along (with us) and foil such plots through ironclad unity," she said. Stay alert against election conspiracies, warns Tarique Rahman Khaleda Zia also called upon the people of the country to work together for building a democratic Bangladesh. "Let us employ our full strength to build a modern, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh envisioned by Ziaur Rahman, uphold the hard-earned achievements (of mass uprising) and further strengthen our unity," she added. People expect this government to hold a credible election competing minimum reform soon, said Khaleda. The BNP chairperson said the country is going through a critical time now. The fascist rulers were ousted amid a coordinated movement of the people and students. “The people's expectation from them (interim govt) is to hold an election, which would be acceptable to all, after completing the minimum reforms to repair the state soon in order to return to a democratic system,” she said. Pointing at her party leaders and activists, she asked them to be more inspired by the ideals of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and work together for a great success in the next election. “Do not do anything that will spoil your long struggle and sacrifices,” she added. BNP won’t accept local polls ahead of national election: Fakhrul “I would like to urge you from the United Kingdom while I am ill -- let's involve the people and build the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in a more united and consolidated way to lead the movement-struggle and the state governance as did in the past. Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister, called upon students, youths and the people of the country to come forward to build Bangladesh into a truly livable, developed and democratic state through mutual affection and brotherhood refraining from resorting to any vengeance. Restore democracy, voting rights: Moyeen Khan to interim govt “Let us all work together to transform our beloved motherland, Bangladesh, into a truly livable, developed and democratic state, not through vengeance and revenge, but through mutual affection and brotherhood,” she said. At the outset of her speech, she expressed her tribute to those who were martyred in the long struggle against the fascism and the recent mass killings by the fascism regime as well as showed sincere sympathy to those who were injured during the recent mass uprising.  

BNP senior secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday asked the interim government to arrange a free and fair election soon by completing the necessary reform tasks for the sake of building a new and democratic Bangladesh as per the aspirations of the recent revolution. “We’ve to move towards the establishment of a new, revolutionary, democratic Bangladesh with the rule of law Bangladesh and independence of the judiciary. So, a free and fair election should be held as soon as possible,” he said while addressing a rally in the city. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) jointly arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the withdrawal all ‘false’ cases filed against Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman and opening the daily Amar Desh.     Rizvi said the aspirations of the revolution could be implemented soon if the power of the people is given to (the representatives of) people by completing the necessary reform tasks. Noting that fascism and Nazis should never be politically and socially rehabilitated in the country, he said Mussolini hadn’t returned to Italy and Hitler hadn’t been resettled in Germany. “So, mafia-nazi-fascists should no way be resettled in Bangladesh,” he said. Referring to sending Mahmudur Rahman to jail, the BNP leader said it is a question of the nation as to why the government that came through a huge sacrifice is torturing the pro-democratic revolutionary people by using the laws enacted by Sheikh Hasina. "We want to see a revolutionary government. A government will have to work realising the public sentiment. We don’t want a government like Sheikh Hasina's one,” he said. Rizvi questioned why Mahmudur Rahman had to go to jail in the 'fascism-free Bangladesh.' Citing that the law adviser is surely a dignified man and very close to them, he said the law adviser mentioned about laws in this regard, but the revolutionary government should not work on the basis of the traditional laws. Referring to Jagannath University student Khadijatul Kubra who was sent to the jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) by the Awami League government, he questioned why master's student Khadija still in the jail and how does the administration run. "If a student is still in jail just because of a (facebook) post, then we have to understand the ghosts of Sheikh Hasina are in the court, the administration and the police today and they are disturbing this government at every step," he said. The BNP leader claimed that now the secret associates of Sheikh Hasina are trying to create confusion in the administration, the police and everywhere. "Your police stand idle. How come a murder is committed in front of the police! Then the responsibility (of the murder) goes on the interim government,” he said. Addressing the function, BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury said they feel very sad that they had to take to the streets to meet their demands after the students-people mass uprising. “We demand all closed media outlets including newspapers be opened. We demand the withdrawal of the false cases filed by killer Hasina against the journalists and political leaders," he said. DUJ President Shahidul Islam said the law adviser must tell why Mahmudur Rahman had to go to jail. BNP's Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu, among others, spoke at the rally presided over by BFUJ acting president Obaidur Rahman Shahin.

Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu Association, representing Bangladesh-origin Hindus in the UK, have praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership for the remarkable economic development as well as her exemplary steps to establish a secular and oppression-free democratic Bangladesh. They called on Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in London on Saturday (September 30, 2023), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (October 01, 2023). The Association raised their concerns over the welfare of their fellow members and relatives in Bangladesh during the Durga Puja and upcoming election. The Foreign Minister assured them that strict precautionary measures and necessary steps would be taken during the Durga Puja and upcoming election to protect the Hindus. Dr Momen emphasized the Bangladesh government’s commitment to ensure religious peace, harmony, and security. Read: ‘Battle is between secular and non-secular forces, which one does UK choose?’: Bangladesh High Commissioner The Bangladesh Hindu Association thanked and appreciated the Foreign Minister for his support and commitments to safeguard the values of the Hindus and other religious communities. Foreign Minister Dr Momen also praised their role in connecting Bangladeshi-origin Hindus with the UK and urged them to represent Bangladesh’s religious harmonies as well as the nation's achievements. The Hindu association handed over a petition to the Foreign Minister to ensure the protection and safety of their relatives. Mr. Proshanta Datta Purokayastha, BEM, Chairman of the association, led the group. Read: British MPs, diplomats express solidarity with Bangabandhu’s secular, progressive values Rabin Paul, Vice Chairman, Haradhan Bhowmik, Vice Chairman, Prasanta Kumar Dutta, Vice Chairman, Sujith Chowdhury, General Secretary, Biswajit Dey, Treasurer, Kankan Kanti Ghosh, Joint Treasurer, Bappy Dam, Women Organizing Secretary, Arjun Kumar Datta, Deputy Organizing Secretary, Sushanta Kumar Halder, Entertainment Secretary, and Dr Debabrata Chowdhury, Member, attended the meeting. Read more: Bangabandhu's killing designed to destroy secular spirit of Liberation War: Speakers