United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday voiced concern over the growing public doubt about whether the upcoming national election will be held as scheduled, saying that such uncertainty could put the country’s democratic transition at risk. “During the rule of the fallen, defeated and fugitive autocrat, people had no interest in national elections. Now, under the interim government, questions are being raised among the public — will the election be held on time?” he said. While virtually inaugurating the BNP’s membership collection and renewal drive abroad and online payment gateway activities at a city hotel, Tarique said such a situation was not supposed to arise under the interim government. “The doubts and uncertainty among people about the election may make the path of democratic transition more difficult,” he said. Tarique said the Awami League established fascism by destroying the country’s electoral system over the past 15 years only to prevent the BNP’s victory. “It is a matter of concern and surprise that even in a fascism-free Bangladesh, a coordinated campaign and various tricks are now being used to block the BNP’s possible victory.” Read more: Fakhrul urges BNP leaders to strengthen digital presence “But I firmly believe that if every believer in Bangladeshi nationalism and nationalist forces remains united, no conspiracy will be able to separate the BNP from the people, InshaAllah,” he said. As a responsible political party, the BNP leader said their party has from the very beginning chosen the path of compromise to maintain national unity against fascism. He said BNP has also extended cooperation to the interim government as much as possible from its position. “But we have seen how new conditions are being added one after another, making the path to democracy more difficult. We must stay alert about the consequences of such actions,” he said. Tarique urged all democratic political parties to remain cautious about any evil attempt that may put them in danger. “If we fail to distinguish between strategy and deception, we may ultimately end up surrendering unconditionally to undemocratic or evil forces. I sincerely urge all democratic political parties currently active in Bangladesh to keep this danger in mind.” Read more: Enemies of Bangladesh trying to create instability again, warns Fakhrul Referring to the government’s announcement of holding the national election in February next year, he said the Election Commission will declare the election schedule in due time. The BNP leader said their party is completing all necessary preparations to take part in this much-awaited election. “As part of this process, the nomination of BNP candidates or BNP-backed candidates in the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies is now at its final stage.” As a popular and people-backed party, he said it is normal that in almost every constituency, several qualified BNP leaders are seeking nominations. “This is a matter of pride and honour for any political party.” Tarique said it is not possible to nominate everyone, and BNP has also decided to support some candidates from other democratic parties that took part in the anti-fascist movement alongside BNP. “Because of this, some BNP aspirants may not get party nominations.” He urged all BNP leaders, workers, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy. Read more: BNP announces 10-day programme to mark November 7 “Please consider the party’s decision as final. I want to remind you of the words of the proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman: ‘The party is greater than the individual, and the country is greater than the party,” Tarique said. He said the names of BNP-nominated candidates will soon be announced in phases. “Whoever receives the nomination, please work unitedly to ensure their victory. Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is lurking around you. So do not let petty resentments, quarrels or disputes among yourselves reach a level where the opponent can take advantage of your differences.” Tarique also reminded those seeking nominations that they are all followers of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and soldiers of Begum Khaleda Zia. “Remember, if the BNP’s symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ wins, you win, democracy wins, and the country wins.” He urged all party leaders and activists not to engage in any behaviour that could disrespect the party founder Ziaur Rahman or its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, or embarrass the party’s countless supporters across the country. “Stay with the people and keep them with you,” he said. Tarique concluded his speech by launching the BNP’s online membership and payment gateway through the website www.bnpbd.org, which allows anyone from anywhere in the world to become a member, renew their membership, or donate to the party online. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul He said the new digital initiative would help the BNP move forward in step with technological progress. Tarique said the new opportunity for overseas Bangladeshis to vote for the first time may seem a bit complicated to some, but he congratulated the Election Commission for opening this avenue. “InshaAllah, if BNP comes to power, we will take steps to make the voting process for expatriates even simpler in the future,” he said. On women’s safety, Tarique stressed the urgency of protecting women and children. “About half of our population is female, yet the state and society often remain indifferent to their safety, and recently this negligence seems to be becoming more visible.” Referring to a newspaper report, he said that in August alone, 93 women across the country were subjected to sexual assault, seven of whom were killed afterwards and 89 women were killed during the same period. Read more: CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election “A society where women and children are not safe cannot be considered truly civilised. I call not only on the BNP’s women’s wing but also on the conscious women of Bangladesh and all citizens to pay attention. From your positions, speak with our daughters, mothers, and sisters, prepare local-level proposals to address their problems, and ensure women’s safety,” the BNP leader said. Tarique also said the state cannot remain indifferent and the government and administration must play their role in ensuring the safety of women. “At the same time, as a political party and as party workers, it is our duty to take any position or role needed to build a safe society for women. Social initiatives to protect women and children have, in my personal view, become extremely urgent,” he said. Read more: Bangladesh voter count hits 12.76 crore

National unity is crucial to defeat fascism and save the country, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Saturday. “We face a great challenge in shaping the future of this country. This challenge cannot be met by a single person, organisation, agency, or government alone. Unity among all political parties and factions is essential, and it must be maintained despite any adversity,” he said in a statement Saturday night. He also thanked the members of the National Consensus Commission for engaging with all active political parties and reaching an agreement to formulate and implement the July National Charter. Chief Adviser directs armed forces to prepare for election security Describing the charter as a historic achievement, the Chief Adviser said, “This document is invaluable for our nation. It will not only guide the upcoming national elections but also serve as a roadmap for future politics and strengthen our democracy.” Prof Yunus added that people expect reforms that will foster a democratic culture in Bangladesh, prevent any future dictatorship, ensure overall national development, and protect the civil rights and dignity of every citizen. “The most encouraging aspect is that these reforms have been agreed upon by us, not imposed from outside. In the past, foreign mediators, including representatives of the UN and friendly countries, have often intervened in Bangladesh’s political dialogue. But after the July mass uprising, the political parties decided to solve our own crisis internally. All parties have come together, engaged in political debate, and paved the way for a solution. Instead of relying on the world, we have presented our national unity as an example to the world,” he said. CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election On behalf of the nation, he thanked all political leaders who worked tirelessly to make the charter possible, calling it a historic achievement. Claiming the July charter is a unique global example, the Chief Adviser said, “Nothing like this has happened anywhere else in the world. It will be a shining moment in political history. Other nations may consider forming a ‘Consensus Commission’ during times of crisis as a model for nation-building.” He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, Professor Ali Riaz, members Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, Special Assistant Monir Haider, and media representatives who covered the commission’s work for months.  “We must preserve the unprecedented unity we have achieved in state reforms. Fascist forces have devoted all their strength to divide the nation. For the past 15 months, we have unitedly confronted their various conspiracies. To defeat fascism and safeguard this country, there is no other option but to maintain national unity,” he added. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday warned that the nation will not forgive political parties if fascism returns to Bangladesh because of their divisions. “If our disunity and divisions ever open the door for the return of fascism, the nation will never forgive us. We must, therefore, stay united,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a programme marking the 21st founding anniversary of the Daily Naya Diganta at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. He said all parties must stand together and close every door to the return of the fascist Awami League. “We must hold on to this pledge.” The BNP leader also said political parties must fulfill the promise made with the blood of the sons and daughters of the land and the martyrs of the student-led mass uprising. “I hope in the coming days we will all remain united despite our differences of opinion and ideology when it comes to the country, its democracy, independence and sovereignty,” he said. Put aside differences, join polls: Fakhrul to all parties  Salahuddin said it is a sacred duty for all to build a strong democratic state and society for future generations. “We have heard the glorious stories of our student-led uprising and the bloodstained days of struggle. Standing on that proud past, we must now look forward. It is we who must build the Bangladesh of tomorrow. For our future generations, we must leave behind a truly strong democratic society and state system. This is our sacred duty—our civic, political and social responsibility,” he observed. Recalling his personal struggles, the BNP leader said, “For writing a few columns, I had to live in exile for nearly nine and a half years, endure torture at Aynaghar, and spend time in prison.” Sharing a memory, Salahuddin said, “Once, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman and I were kept in separate prison cells at PG Hospital. He was on a hunger strike then. I tried to convince him to break his fast, telling him that if he died, Sheikh Hasina would be happy. Later, senior leaders intervened and he broke the strike after six or seven days.” Gayeshwar warns of rising communal forces after fall of ‘fascism’ The BNP leader urged the media to play a constructive role through their writing in building a democratic state.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Saturday warned that communal forces are rising in the country after the fall of fascism. “Those whom you call fundamentalists, I also call them fundamentalists. They are now selling tickets to heaven,” he said at a discussion. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said a party is telling people that if they stay with it, they will go to heaven, and if not, they will go to hell. “Yet they themselves don’t know whether they will go to heaven or not. That’s why I say communal forces are on the rise in the country. We have freed ourselves from fascism, but instead of democratic values, a frenzy of communalism has started, which helps create mobs,” he observed. The BNP leader warned that if the state system cannot be kept on the path of democracy, communalism would become twice as difficult as fascism and ultimately lead public life to destruction. In today’s modern world, he said communal forces would not allow free thought and the growth of talent. Gayeshwar said BNP believes in religious values but not in using religion to spread hatred. “Whatever the faith one follows, religion is a way of life meant to guide people in the right direction,” he said. “What is considered a sin in religion is regarded as wrongdoing under modern state law. In the justice system, it is written what punishment matches which offence. Likewise, if one reads the Holy Quran or the Gita, it is also written what punishment will come after death for certain sins. So, there is no conflict between religion and the state system,” the BNP leader said. Tarique voices concern over Israeli settlement expansion in West Bank Human Research and Analysis Foundation organised the discussion titled “July Revolution and the Future Thoughts of Democracy” at the Jatiya Press Club. Turning to the interim government, Gayeshwar said the current administration has little visibility as it has no clear direction. “Except for a few, no one speaks. Ministries are still being run by the administration left behind by Sheikh Hasina.” He also criticised the state of the media and social media, saying freedom must come with responsibility. “Media freedom does not mean saying anything about anyone. Social media has now become a place where people say whatever they like, which can mislead society, especially children.” The BNP leader stressed that democracy means people will elect a government through votes, and if they regret their choice, they can change it in the next election. “This simple path should not be made so difficult,” he said. On electoral reforms, Gayeshwar took a swipe at the proportional representation (PR) system, saying the interim government has turned reform into superstition. “I don’t understand PR, but I hear it is exercised in Nepal. It seems that in that system you could have one prime minister in the morning, another in the afternoon, and a different one at night.”

Stating that the upcoming national election is extremely important for every citizen in establishing the kind of Bangladesh a mother would envision, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged all, including women, to remain alert so that fascism and extremism can never rise again. Addressing a discussion virtually, he also said the BNP has designed all its future action plans keeping in mind the hopes and aspirations of women as it believes the country cannot move forward without ensuring the dignity, security, and active participation of women in every sphere of life. “If we are to build the kind of Bangladesh that a mother envisions, the upcoming national election is extremely important for every citizen. To ensure that fascism, extremism and radicalism can never again raise their heads in this country, women in particular must remain alert and vigilant. I call upon all mothers and sisters across Bangladesh to stay watchful in this regard,” Tarique said. He also called upon the democracy-loving people of the country—men, women and children of all faiths and communities—to remain united in building a just, democratic and secure Bangladesh in honour of the sacrifices of martyrs. “We firmly hope that, just like in the past, our mothers and sisters will continue to actively participate in and support the ongoing struggle to build a safe, democratic and humane country for all,” the BNP leader said. Fakhrul for mutual understanding among political parties to avoid toxic politics Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal organised the programme titled ‘Women’s Contribution to the Anti-Fascist Movement’ at the Shaheed Abu Sayed International Convention Centre of Bangladesh Medical University, marking the first anniversary of the July–August mass uprising. Tarique said no country, including Bangladesh, can truly progress if women’s strength and participation are left out of national planning. “That’s why the BNP has prioritised women, who make up half the country’s population, by ensuring their safety and reflecting their hopes and aspirations in all of its future plans and programmes,” he said. In the current era of globalisation, the BNP leader said opportunities in education, employment, and business are open for women not only in Bangladesh but around the world. “If we truly want to take the country forward, we must empower everyone—men and women alike—by making them at least capable and skilled through proper education and training.” Tarique said he believes that educating women and helping them become economically self-reliant is crucial. “If we succeed in doing so, it will help reduce discrimination and exploitation against women, and also play a major role in preventing domestic violence caused by financial stress.” “That’s why our slogan is: Empowered women, liberated families. BNP’s policies are rooted in human values and aim to create a skilled, empowered workforce, a safe working environment, and new employment opportunities,” he said. The BNP leader said it is clear that the number of female-headed families is growing in the country. “But when it comes to economic independence, most women in Bangladesh are still far behind. To address this, BNP has already prepared specific plans to promote women's economic empowerment,” he said. July Charter a social contract, no party to break this agreement: Salahuddin Tarique said they are planning to implement a “Family Card” system, starting with 50 lakh marginalised families, if the party is voted to power. He said “Family Cards” will be issued under the name of the female head of each family for providing state-supported monthly financial aid or essential food support to these families. “We believe this initiative will not only strengthen women’s economic position but also help families gradually become self-reliant—ultimately building a stronger, more equitable society,” the BNP leader said. He said many mothers have lost their beloved sons during the long anti-fascist struggle, including his own mother, who lost her son Arafat Rahman Koko. “Countless wives, sisters, and mothers have suffered loss, abuse, and broken families. Now, after all the sacrifices, there is finally a chance to build a humane Bangladesh for all—regardless of gender, religion, or background,” Tarique observed. He recalled the vital role played by women in all democratic movements, including the supreme sacrifices of 10 women during the mass uprising, saying the nation remains deeply indebted to them. “Now it is our turn to repay that debt by honouring their sacrifice and building a just, democratic and humane Bangladesh.” Fakhrul reiterates call for unity among parties, warns against divisive politics During the event, family members of martyrs from the anti-fascist movement and the mass uprising shared their grief and sorrow, creating an emotional atmosphere. Later, they were presented with honorary medals on behalf of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, the women’s wing of the BNP. A documentary highlighting the contributions of women to the anti-fascist movement was screened at the event.

 ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’, marking the first day of the Bengali New Year, was brought out from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University on Monday morning, reinforcing messages of unity, peace, and resistance against oppression. This year’s theme—“Noboborsher Oikotan, Fasibader Oboshan” (The Harmony of New Year, End to Fascism)—resonated through the streets as students, teachers, cultural activists and people from various professions joined the colorful celebration. The procession started at 9 am led by Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan.  Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, members of 28 ethnic communities, representatives of educational institutions,  social and cultural organisations joined the vibrant procession  . The procession started from the Faculty of Fine Arts and ended at the same place after passing through Shahbagh intersection, TSC intersection, Shaheed Minar, Physical Education Center, Doel Square, and Bangla Academy. Chhayanaut welcomes Bangla New Year  with traditional cultural fest at Ramna Batamul