United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday alleged that the fallen fascist force, with the help of their cohorts, is trying to fish in troubled waters by carrying out untoward incidents in the country using their illicit wealth as a weapon. “The money of the country’s people laundered by the fallen dictator is acting as a 'tonic' for Sheikh Hasina. She is relying heavily on laundered money to fish in troubled waters by orchestrating various incidents in the country,” he told a press briefing at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. Rizvi alleged that this is why criminal activities such as robbery, theft and mugging are on the rise across neighbourhoods and streets throughout the country. The BNP leader said the voices of fugitive authoritarian fascists are being heard once again in various parts of the country, including Dhaka. “There is a proverb—‘money talks’. Sheikh Hasina is trying to make full use of this adage. She wants to destabilise Bangladesh with the profits of the wealth she has siphoned off from the country using the power of the mafia economy,” he observed. The BNP leader said many of the major accomplices of the deposed fascist regime were in custody after Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year. He questioned how these top allies of the fallen regime managed to escape despite being in state custody, implying a significant breach or collusion within the administration. “Surely many fascist collaborators are still embedded within the administration, working behind the scenes to protect and support the fascists and killers,” Rizvi said. BNP holds talks with Gono Forum, NDM to intensify pressure on govt over election-time He said Sheikh Hasina, who escaped to India in the face of a mass uprising, has continued to issue provocative threats from there. Hasina’s close allies who were arrested after the mass uprising, including former minister Shahjahan Khan, are openly threatening to retaliate against the current administration while appearing before court, he said. “These people are mocking the judiciary and displaying blatant disregard for the police. Their defiant behaviour in court, despite being accused in various cases, is part of a calculated plot to prove the interim government ineffective,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that the fascist elements are daring to assert themselves only because of the silent role of the Home Ministry and the police administration. Rizvi recalled that many BNP leaders and religious scholars over the past 15 years were produced in court shackled in handcuffs in fabricated cases. He said the Awami League leaders who are accused of serious crimes are being presented before courts with honour and comfort. “It’s happening as Hasina’s oligarchs remain deeply entrenched within the Home Ministry and police—like ghosts within the grain.”

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that if the Election Commission performs its duties properly, the general elections could take place between June and July, rather than in December. He further added, “If there is a delay in the election process, the people will begin to doubt the credibility of this interim government.” He made this statement during a meeting with the families of those injured and martyred in the July-August uprising in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, followed by a donation distribution ceremony on Friday. ‘Amra BNP Poribar’ organised this event at the city's Bhuban Mohan Park. Take stern action against abusers of women: BNP to govt Questioning the delay in holding the elections, Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina has deprived the people of their voting rights and delayed the election for 15 years. Voters were unable to go to polling stations and cast their votes for 15 years. Their votes were cast even before they could reach the polls. So, now people don’t want to see any delay in the election. Our electoral system and democratic institutions have been completely destroyed. “These institutions need to be revived, and we need innovation,” Rizvi added. He stated, "We believe that the interim government is essentially a caretaker government. Therefore, this government should be able to conduct a fair election. Any delay in the election process is unacceptable." Rizvi also highlighted the need for reforms to ensure that law enforcement agencies cannot oppress the people by acting as the government's enforcers. Moyeen Khan-led delegation returns home from China "An elected government is required to establish such laws. How can this be possible without an elected government? Therefore, the national parliamentary election must take place first," he added. Amra BNP Poribar convener Atiqur Rahman Rumman, BNP Executive Committee Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam, and other leaders also spoke at the event.

BNP will hold prayers on Tuesday across the country, including in Dhaka, on the occasion of National Martyred Army Day to remember those killed in the BDR carnage.   BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced this one-day programme during a press conference at the party's central office in Nayapaltan on Monday afternoon. He said, “Every year, on February 25, BNP remembers the martyrs with great respect. This year, the government has announced the observance of National Martyred Army Day. BNP supports the government's declaration to observe this day nationally.” The programme will include paying respect and offering prayers at the Banani Army Graveyard in the morning, followed by a discussion session at 3:30 pm at the Engineers Institution auditorium, Ramna. Rizvi also mentioned that similar prayer events will be organised in districts and metropolitan areas across the country. Remain vigilant against return of fascism: Tarique Rahman The BNP leader said, “The army investigation report on the BDR rebellion has not been released, but the report from that time clearly indicates that those in power and their international masters might have been involved in this brutal massacre. Many pieces of evidence were destroyed in the process.” “Various conspiracies were carried out to cripple Bangladesh and destroy the strong defense system that had been built in the country. On February 25, 2009, this massacre took place as part of those plots,” he added. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Abdus Salam, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, central leaders Shirin Sultana, Helen Zerin Khan, Munir Hossain, Amirul Islam Khan Alim and others were present at the press conference. On Sunday, a circular was issued by the Cabinet Division stating this declaration. It mentioned that February 25 will be observed as National Martyred Army Day every year, but it will not be a public holiday. The day will be classified as a "Category C" holiday. The circular urges relevant ministries, departments, and organizations to implement this decision appropriately. The February 25-26, 2009, BDR rebellion at the Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka led to the murder of 57 army officers and a total of 74 deaths. The incident caused an international uproar.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused India of directly interfering in Bangladesh's sovereignty by allowing Sheikh Hasina a 'freehand' to speak. "India may have provided her shelter, but from there, she is inciting unrest, trying to create anarchy, and Indian policymakers are supporting her. This is really strange," he said while speaking at a book launch event on Saturday. He said such a position by another state on an independent democratic nation is a gross violation of all international norms and principles. Rizvi went on to say, “I am surprised that in a democratic country like India, some journalists and the media are making such shameless statements, just like Sheikh Hasina did, siding with those fascists. It seems that the hidden treasure they have accumulated for a long time has been lost.” “Not only Sheikh Hasina but also the policymakers in India cannot tolerate the practice of democracy in Bangladesh, the possibility of development in a democratic state! Why is this? We cannot expect this from a democratic country,” the BNP leader lamented. Rizvi questioned, “Some Indians are saying that Bangladesh will no longer exist. How can Indian policymakers tolerate the idea that a neighboring independent country will cease to exist?” BNP announces nationwide rallies over high prices, slide in law and order The BNP senior leader also urged people to stay vigilant against the threat of counter-revolution.  “We, all of us who support democratic forces, must take cautious steps so that no one can take advantage of any anarchy. We must also remember that the counter-revolution always lurks, and we must not allow it to take hold.” He emphasized that the mistakes made after the revolutions in various countries should not be repeated. He believed that if these lessons were learned, there would never be a counter-revolution again. Support for govt to continue despite its “weak nature”: Hafizuddin Rizvi said that the country would progress along the path of democracy and would not accept anything that was anti-national, anti-democratic, or detrimental to sovereignty. “We will never accept anything that goes against what Bengalis' history and culture represents, and we will never tolerate interference from others in advancing it. This is the way we must move forward. We must preserve the changes we have made through our efforts,” he added.