United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday called upon all to unite for democracy and fair elections to restore people’s ownership of Bangladesh by establishing an accountable government. Speaking virtually at a views-exchange meeting with writers and poets, he also said BNP’s goal is to ensure that Bangladesh never turns into a haven for extremism or fundamentalism  “If we want to establish the truth that the ownership of this country belongs only to its citizens then we must all unite to ensure democracy, freedom of speech and a free, fair and neutral election,” Tarique said. In other words, he said, it is essential to build an accountable system in the country through a government elected by the people’s votes “If we can achieve this, then the rights our respected poets and writers have spoken about today --reedom of writing, freedom of expression, the right to express differences of opinion and the right to criticism -- can truly be established,” the BNP leader said. He, however, pointed out that an accountable government and state system can only be established by protecting people’s voting rights. Tarique said the time has come to repay the blood debt of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty of the country. “As a grateful son of this land, I wish that the echo of unity will resound in all our voices in this beautiful gathering.” The BNP leader also sought the cooperation of all, including writers and intellectuals, in building the Bangladesh its people have long desired. Tarique Rahman vows to protect religious harmony in Bangladesh The BNP Media Cell organised the programme titled ‘The Role and Duties of Poets and Writers in the Transition to Democracy’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Tarique said his party’s ideological position is also the same as that of the writers and poets when it comes to the independence, sovereignty and democracy of the country. “Like you, we are also committed to preventing the return of autocracy, which the people of Bangladesh drove out some days ago,” he said. Referring to some speakers’ concern about the possible rise of extremism, the BNP leader said, “I would also like to say the same—that it is our expectation and our goal that this country must never turn into a den of extremism or fundamentalism.” Tarique said BNP’s political ideology may differ from that of the writers and poets who joined the event, but that should not be seen as a problem. “What truly matters is our common and unwavering faith in the sovereignty of the country.” He said human civilisation owes much to writers and poets as they have always portrayed the pains and joys of the people through their creative works. The BNP leader said writers and poets express the feelings that ordinary people cannot voice. He said writers and creative minds have inspired people for generations to realise their rights, raise their voices and wage movements through their works. During mass movements, Tarique said the writers inspired people to speak out against despotic regimes by expressing their patriotism. Addressing the programme, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed praised the role of writers and poets in different rights movements and in the struggles against autocratic regimes in 1990 and 2024. Play your part in ensuring free elections: Fakhrul to BNP followers He urged writers, poets and intellectuals to act as a pressure group to ensure freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Tarique said poets and writers, generation after generation, raised their work to such a high standard that, at times, their personal identity became almost the same as the identity of the country and the nation. He cited William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth as examples who became names synonymous with English literature rather than just individuals. “In the same way, we can say that rebellious poets like Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore have become an inseparable part of the identity of this subcontinent,” the BNP leader added. A number of writers and poets, under the banner of Jatiya Kabita Parishad, attended the programme and spoke about their freedom to write and express their opinions freely. On behalf of the Jatiya Kabita Parishad, they also put forward some demands to ensure freedom of speech. The programme began with the national anthem, followed by a one-minute silence to pay respect to those who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War of 1971 and during the student and public uprising of 2024.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the main challenge for the nation is now to establish people’s rule and ensure their political and voting rights. “The main goal of the movement was to establish the political rights of people and protect individual freedom. The autocratic regime fled the country in the face of the movement. Now, it is essential to establish people’s rule and ensure political rights. The key way to achieve this is by creating a system where people can directly exercise their voting rights,” he said. Speaking virtually at the Rajshahi city unit BNP’s biennial conference, the BNP leader said that through such voting, people will decide who will govern the country for a specific term in the future. He said the interim government is gradually moving in that direction as it has announced that a national election will be held before the upcoming Ramadan. Tarique said this election will mark the first step towards realising people’s rights. He, however, said holding elections and forming a government through voting is not enough. Tarique said people want to know from BNP leaders what the future of the country looks like, what BNP plans to do next because the people of Bangladesh want to place their trust in the party. He acknowledged the many challenges ahead for the country in the days to come to rebuild the state institutions. “If BNP is able to form the next government, it will need to rebuild the state, as the autocratic regime destroyed education, justice, law and order, the economy, and healthcare in pursuit of its self-interest,” the BNP leader said. Stating that BNP was the first to propose state reform, he said BNP presented a 31-point outline containing various reform proposals nearly two and a half years ago during the autocratic period. Tarique urges nationwide democratic practices for govt accountability The BNP leader said many of the ideas currently being discussed by the interim government’s reform commission were already in the 31-point outline because BNP believed well in advance that the nation needed structural reform. Tarique accused the Awami League’s autocratic government of organising the healthcare system in such a way that people were forced to go to a neighbouring country for treatment. He said the Awami regime deliberately ruined hospitals in the country and created scopes for siphoning money abroad in the name of treatment in the neighbouring country. “We now have to develop our own doctors and nurses so that the people of the country get quality medical services in hospitals in our country,” the BNP leader said. Tarique said the autocratic government was forced to flee in the face of a public movement after holding power for over a decade. He said they carried out enforced disappearances, killings and filed false cases against opposition voices, including many present at the event. “Even family members not involved in politics were harassed.” The BNP leader said not only political activists, but also ordinary people who raised their voices against the autocratic regime were victims of severe oppression. Tarique said the election system was destroyed at every level, the judiciary was weakened, law enforcement was politicised, and the economy was damaged. “Under the name of mega development, massive corruption and money laundering took place.” He said jobs must be created for the youth through skill development and education reform. The BNP leader said small industries must grow, the justice system must be faster, and agriculture needs support with timely fertiliser, fair crop prices, and affordable goods. Tarique said only BNP can rebuild the country, and people now believe in that. “But to face the challenges ahead, unity is essential.” He urged party leaders and workers to stay united and maintain public trust through good work and a positive attitude. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Abdus Salam inaugurated the council in the morning at the historic field adjacent to the Madrasa ground in Rajshahi.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said ensuring government’s accountability to people requires the establishment of democratic practices across all sectors of the country. "The people of Bangladesh have many expectations from BNP. One of the most fundamental among them is to establish a proper system and ensure accountability," he said while virtually addressing the council session of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB). The BNP leader said people from all walks of life are now looking forward to seeing a positive change and a transformation in the state system. "If we can gradually build a transparent, fair and democratic system everywhere, we will be able to ensure accountability at all levels," he said. Tarique said it is not entirely true that there is no democratic practice within political parties. "Today's DAB council proves that the claim of no democratic practice inside political parties is not entirely accurate." He mentioned that since DAB has begun practising democracy, BNP will also be able to gradually implement democratic practices at various levels within the party. "I firmly believe that, Insha'Allah, we can gradually introduce accountability at all levels — from local to national — across the country," the BN leader said. Drawing from his long experience of living in London, he explained that in the UK, doctors who face abuse receive justice, and if patients or others are denied proper service, they too receive justice, as there is accountability in the state system. "Such a system of accountability is needed in Bangladesh." The BNP leader mentioned that although Bangladesh gained independence more than 50 years ago, the democratic process has been repeatedly obstructed here. "Unfortunately, I have to spend many years abroad... I have an experience that since there is accountability in this country (UK), when a patient goes to the government hospital, he gets a minimum service,” he said. Tarique said it is not only about patients, but about everyone -- wherever they go, they should receive the service they are entitled to. "This is because, through years of effort, they built a system of accountability in society and in the state system. But this has not yet been developed in Bangladesh." The National Council-2025 of DAB, a pro-BNP platform for doctors, was held at the auditorium of Willes Little Flower School and College in the capital's Kakrail area. Tarique seeks public support for BNP to implement reform proposals Tarique said almost 99 percent of the reforms the current government is talking about were actually presented to the nation by BNP about two and a half years ago. He said BNP, along with like-minded political parties that stood on the streets, fought to remove dictatorship and create an environment where people could breathe freely, presented the 31-point reform proposal to the nation. The BNP leader said if his party gets a public mandate to form the government, it will need everyone’s cooperation to implement the 31-point proposals, including the health sector reforms. “In particular, we will need your (doctors’) support to carry out the specific point in the 31-point that deals with healthcare. Because implementing these 31 points is not something the government alone, our party’s MPs alone, or just our leaders can do. To make this happen, we will need the cooperation of every single person,” he said. Tarique said people believe that BNP would at least take the initiative to ensure a better future, especially as BNP has the highest potential to run the country through an election. “For that reason, they expect BNP to deliver something better, a positive change… BNP must take the first steps to bring about that change.” Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called Tarique Rahman the “future Prime Minister” of Bangladesh if BNP wins the upcoming national election. “Our Acting Chairman is not only our present leader but also our future leader, our future torchbearer. The future Prime Minister of the country is sitting here today,” he said. Praising Tarique’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, as a renowned physician who graduated in medicine, Fakhrul urged him to give special attention to the country’s healthcare system if the party comes to power. With a population of 180 million, he said, ensuring healthcare in Bangladesh is a huge responsibility and expressed hope that Tarique Rahman, as future prime minister, would prioritise this sector. As Fakhrul referred to Tarique as the country’s future leader, the entire auditorium erupted in applause, with doctors warmly congratulating him. The BNP Secretary General said the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh is facing a serious crisis as some manufacturers recently told him that current government policies and laws, introduced by the government, are making it very difficult for factories to operate. “Many factories that once competed globally and exported medicines are now at risk of shutting down.” He highlighted that Tarique Rahman’s 31-point reform outline includes important changes for the health sector which are crucial for the nation. Fakhrul said building a prosperous Bangladesh means ensuring not just democracy and voting rights, but also people’s rights to health, food, and survival.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged the country’s people and political parties to stay alert and watch closely whether any group, with the support of a section of the interim government, is trying to create a planned situation to derail the upcoming election. Speaking virtually at a discussion, he also said the concerns raised by many over the interim government’s capacity to hold the national election can no longer be overlooked. “If you listen to what people are saying on social media and in different places, it seems that some are trying to create a planned or deliberate situation in the country, possibly with the help of a section of the interim government. This question is now in the minds of many people,” Tarique said. He also mentioned that some recent brutal and unexpected incidents have raised serious questions among the public about the interim government's ability to manage such situations. “Whether the interim government is truly capable of holding an election is now being questioned by different quarters. These concerns can no longer be dismissed as isolated comments,” the BNP leader added. “I also call upon the people, all democratic political parties, and those involved in the movement to stay alert and closely observe whether anyone is trying to delay the national election beyond the possible timeline promised by the interim government,” he said. Tarique also called on the interim government to play a more transparent and courageous role in tackling the country’s current situation. “The people of Bangladesh who believe in democracy will support you. The democratic parties will stand by your side, if your role is more transparent and bold.” He highlighted the significance of the upcoming national election, saying it will play a vital role in establishing democracy in an institutional way. “This election is very important for our national life… We must all act responsibly and remain alert so that no form of extremism or fascism can return to our state or politics in the future because of any emotional or wrong decisions on our part,” the BNP leader said. July uprising succeeded under Tarique Rahman’s leadership: Murad Private university teachers and students organised the programme at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital to honour the contributions of private university teachers, students, and the martyrs of the July-August mass uprising. At the beginning of his speech, Tarique respectfully remembered the role of private university students and teachers in the movement and said the martyrs of 2024 will be remembered by the nation just like the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. The BNP leader said that although the party fully supported the quota reform movement from the start in 2024, it acted strategically to ensure that the Awami League could not brand it as a political party-led movement. "Instead of abuse of state power, or administrative manipulation, the means to fulfill someone's political ambitions should be the verdict, trust and confidence of people,” he said. Tarique also warned that without political empowerment of the people, no arrangement or efforts for the state reform will be of any use or sustainable. Addressing the youth, he said one must become more enriched with knowledge and science to lead a state. “A state built on the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1971 and 2024 cannot be achieved through slogans or outdated, traditional political practices alone.” “The first condition for building the kind of state the martyrs dreamed of is to establish a government responsible and accountable to the people and chosen by their direct vote. For that, a free and fair election is absolutely essential…to completely dismantle the structure of fascism, there is no alternative to exercising and practising people’s political rights through elections,” he said. CPC invites Tarique Rahman to visit China The event began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem. A one-minute silence was observed in honour of the martyrs of the mass uprising. Some family members of those who lost their lives during the movement shared their pain and memories, creating an emotional atmosphere at the event.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday questioned whether the attacker, clearly seen on video fatally killing a scrap trader in front of Mitford Hospital, has not yet been arrested due to the silent support or the interim government’s indirect indulgence. “We were very surprised to see clearly on the screen who was killing (the trader), yet the government has still not arrested him. Should we assume that those trying to create mob violence and unrest are being secretly supported or pampered by the government or some officials in the administration?” he said. Tarique made the remarks while virtually exchanging views with the families of the 142 martyrs of the July mass uprising. Tarique said some parties are misrepresenting the killing incident in Old Dhaka. “The man who was killed may have had ties to the Jubo Dal, but the person who committed the murder, based on the information we have received, was brought in from elsewhere.” He lamented that the man seen killing the trader has neither been arrested nor named as a suspect yet. “Why has this happened? Why is he not being arrested? Why is the administration not arresting him? Why are the law enforcement agencies sitting idle? Who controls the law enforcement agencies? It is not BNP; it is the government. So, why is the government not taking action against the killers?” Tarique said. He said the BNP will ensure justice for every killing when given the chance to govern the country as it is a demand of all democracy-loving people in Bangladesh. The BNP leader alleged that some media outlets are currently trying to spread different messages and create stories around certain issues. He said both BNP and its affiliated organisations have always demanded justice, no matter who commits the crime. “A wrongdoer is a wrongdoer. Justice must be served according to the law. No wrongdoer should have the identity of any political party.” The BNP leader said people across the country are asking why the government authorities remain silent and why proper legal action is not being taken against those trying to create chaos. “Many incidents are happening in different places, and we are watching closely those who are trying to disrupt a peaceful environment,” he said. The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal organised the event at a hotel in the capital to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising and to honour the memory of the brave martyrs of Chhatra Dal. It was a deeply emotional occasion as the families of the fallen shared their sorrow and grief. They recalled their loved ones with heavy hearts. Many also called for justice and demanded that those responsible for the killings be held to account. Tarique urged the families of the martyrs to raise their voices loudly over the delays in the trials of those responsible for killing their loved ones. He also warned them to be vigilant against those trying to create mobs to delay justice. The BNP leader said a Jubo Dal leader was also killed by having his tendon cut in Khulna two days ago. “Why is there no voice against this killing? Why, when we demand justice for such killings, is it said that BNP is doing politics over dead bodies? These are the questions we must now find answers to. Because, he said, the answers to these questions are deeply connected to the existence of Bangladesh and its people.” Fakhrul demands quick probe into recent killings in Old Dhaka Tarique said the nation must know who truly stands for the people of Bangladesh. “We need to find out who has genuinely supported the country’s independence with full sincerity. We also must know who stood for the independence of Bangladesh--not just today or yesterday, or the day before--but even 50 years ago, and who did not. We have to consider all these things.” The BNP leader assured that if his party returns to power, it will prioritise ensuring the trials of those who killed innocent people during the mass uprising and democratic movement. “All I can say is that if BNP forms the government with the support of the people in the coming days, we will do our utmost to ensure justice for those who lost their lives defending the rights of the people,” he said. He said many sons of the soil, along with many leaders and activists of BNP, its associate bodies, other political parties, and even some apolitical individuals, have been killed over the last 15 years in Bangladesh while protecting the rights of the people. The BNP leader said although the autocratic regime was ousted, conspiracies against democracy in Bangladesh have not yet stopped. “People’s victory has been achieved (through the mass uprising), but the plots have not ended.” Stating that he had warned about the invisible enemy months ago, Tarique said invisible force is now slowly becoming visible. He said these invisible enemies have stood in the way of democracy, the country’s independence and sovereignty and people’s rights. They have taken opposing positions and acted against the public interest at different times. Tarique said their party has repeatedly urged the interim government not to support or protect any wrongdoer, regardless of who they are. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of people’s lives and property. Why is it failing in this duty? A martyr’s father has raised this question, and we too want to ask the same of the interim government.” He urged people to stay alert and aware, just as they stood up for their rights during key moments in the country’s history. “Our struggle for democratic and people's rights is not over yet. We must keep our eyes and ears open,” the BNP leader said. He said BNP clearly explained its stance on the July Charter three months ago in writing to the interim government. Tarique stressed that it is now entirely the responsibility of the interim government to act on it. “We have nothing more to say. It’s up to them what they do or don’t do.” He warned that some non-issues are being used to create confusion and distract people from real matters. “We see that certain matters or ideas are being brought forward, or attempts are being made to hide something. We also notice that some non-issues are being turned into issues.” The BNP leader reminded the nation that the country belongs to all 20 crore people, not to any single party. “Everyone must think about the future of the country together.” He also urged people to stay alert and observe who is saying what, and how their positions are constantly changing. Tarique alleged that the ghost of the past autocratic regime still exists within parts of the administration. “So, everyone must be aware of the plots by those old ghosts and any new ones. If we are not alert, it will be hard to keep the country safe.”