Ziaur Rahman
Dubai Chess: GM Ziaur Rahman shares 2nd place after 3rd round
Grand Master Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh shared the 2nd slot in the 22nd Dubai Open Chess Tournament alongwith 18 other players securing 2.5 points each after the 3rd round match held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday.
FM Tahsin Tazwar Zia, son of GM Ziaur Rahman, earned 1.5 points, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag and FM Md Taibur Rahman of Bangladesh bagged one point each after the 3rd round matches.
In the 3rd round matches on Monday. GM Zia drew with GM Raunak Sadhwani of India, FIDE Master Tahsin Zia drew with Mustafayev Nihad of Uzbekistan, IM Fahad lost to Sumir Arsh of India, FIDE Master Parag lost to Indian International Master Mohammad Nubairshah Sheikh while FIDE Master Taibur lost to IM Yidmakiling Oliver of the Philippines.
Read: Dubai Chess: Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman shares top slot
The 4th round matches began on Tuesday at 7 pm Bangladesh time.
In the 4th round matches, GM Zia playing against GM Harsha Bharathakoti of India, IM Fahad playing against Laddha Yash Jayesh of Malaysia, FIDE Master Tahsin playing against GM Kuybokarov Temur of Australia, FIDE Master Parag playing against Abid Ali Mujawar of India while FIDE Master Taibur playing against Sadbhav Rautela of India.
Zia initiated culture of impunity through indemnity against Bangabandhu's killers: Joy
Lamenting the disgraceful inclusion of the indemnity of Bangabandhu's killers in the fifth amendment to the constitution, Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy has termed it as the beginning of the culture of impunity.
"Today is notorious July 9. On this day in 1979, this indemnity act against humanity was passed in the parliament, initiating the culture of impunity in the country," wrote Joy from his verified Facebook account.
Following the darkest chapter in independent Bangladesh, the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975, the indemnity ordinance was introduced on September 26 in the same year, paving the path for Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad to take over with the help of Bangabandhu's killers, he added.
Also read: Cheerful PM’s photo with Joy, Putul from Padma Bridge takes netizens by storm
According to the indemnity ordinance, no one involved in Bangabandhu's murder or its conspiracy could be tried in lower court, Supreme court, or court martial.
Thus Bangladesh’s first military dictator Ziaur Rahman turned the ordinance into an act, denying people's basic rights to get justice, he further said.
The killers were protected and rewarded through the indemnity ordinance. Even some of them were endowed with embassy jobs while some became members of the parliament in 1988, he wrote in the post accompanied by a video.
Also read: Future of Bangladesh hinges much on Padma Bridge: Joy
The stigma was finally eradicated by the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which scapped the act on November 12, 1996, he concluded.
Zia’s 41st death anniversary Monday
BNP will observe the 41st death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on Monday.
BNP and its different associate bodies chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the death anniversary across the country with due reverence.
Also read:Attacks on JCD carried out at behest of govt high-ups: BNP
The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began today (Sunday) through a discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, and will end on June 7.
The programmes include arranging discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibition, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981.
In observance of the day, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party and its associate bodies, including Nayapaltan headquarters at 6:00am on Monday.
Besides, BNP senior leaders, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities until June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
Also read: BNP holds talks with Labour Party to wage united movement
The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes including discussions to be participated by BNP senior leaders.
BNP’s takes up 10-day programme to observe Zia's death anniversary
BNP on Tuesday chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the 41st anniversary of the death of its founding leader Ziaur Rahman.
The observance of the anniversary will begin on May 29 and end on June 7.
Also read: BNP’s two-day demo protesting attacks on opposition leaders
The programmes were finalised at a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies held at its Nayapaltan central office with BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
After the meeting, Fakhrul announced the programmes that include discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions and wearing black badges, paying homage to Zia and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman, a military-ruler-turned-president, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
As part of the programmes, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on May 30.
Besides, party leaders and activists will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
Also read: Chhatra League attack on LDP leader Redwan ‘premeditated’: BNP
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities, from June May 29 to June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city on May 30.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes.
AL distorts history whenever it comes to power: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the Awami League (AL) government ,whenever it comes to power, resorts to distortion of history to undermine Ziaur Rahman.
"History has been distorted many times since independence when Awami League came to power," said Fakhrul at a rally organised by BNP at Chattogram Polo Ground which has a connection with party founder Zia’s memory marking the golden jubilee of independence.
He also said that AL govt has turned the country into a failed state snatching people’s voting rights.
Read:Fakhrul barred from visiting Kalurghat Betar Station
“The people must be given the right to vote without delay. Otherwise, we’ll start a movement for the fall of the government uniting the people of Chattogram,” he added.
BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Khandokar Mosarraf Hossain and Organizing Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim also spoke at the event.
Earlier in the day, police barred Fakhrul and some other senior leaders from visiting Kalurghat Betar Station to pay homage to the martyrs marking the Independence Day.
Read: BNP has no interest in EC talks: Fakhrul
BNP sought permission from police a few days back to visit Kalurghat Betar Station and hold a rally in the city, marking the Independence Day. Later, Awami League also announced to hold a rally at the same venue the same day.
Under the circumstances, the police did not give BNP permission to go to the Betar Station. However, the party was allowed to hold a rally at Polo Ground.
Zia’s 86th birth anniversary Wednesday
BNP will celebrate the 86th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Wednesday.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
Read: Zia's birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
BNP and its front organisations have taken various programmes to mark the day with due respect.
As part of the programmes, BNP standing committee members together with party leaders and activists will place wreaths at Zia’s grave around 11am on Wednesday.
Besides, the party flag will be hoisted atop all BNP offices across the country at 6am.
The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia.
Besides, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a free medical camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office the same day.
BNP will also arrange a free medical camp at the same venue on January 20.
The party has taken steps for publishing special articles in national newspapers on the occasion.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions, a photo exhibition, and an essay competition as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
Read: BNP to observe ‘Baksal Day’ on Jan 25
Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia.
He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the country’s deployment and restoration of ‘multiparty democracy’.
Fakhrul also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.
Zia's birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme to observe the 86th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19.
Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a doa mahfil on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal’s Dhaka north city unit arranged the programme seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Gecretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and his wife and the ailing leaders of the organisation, including its President Hasan Jafir Tuhin and General Secretary Shohidul Islam Babul.
The programmes include placing wreaths at Zia's grave, holding discussions and arranging free medical camps.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP
As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on the morning of January 19.
Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am.
The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia.
Besides, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a free medical camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office the same day.
BNP will also arrange a free medical camp at the same venue on January 20.
The party has taken steps for publishing special articles in national newspapers on the occasion.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions, a photo exhibition, and an essay competition as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
Also read: Covid surge: BNP rescheduled 32 rallies
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's 7th president.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
Wanted to make Zia accused in 1975 killing case: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said she had wanted to make Ziaur Rahman an accused in the Bangabandhu killing case as his involvement in the massacre was beyond doubt.
“There’s no doubt that he was involved in the 1975 carnage. I wanted to make him an accused, but then home secretary Rezaul Hayat once said dead persons cannot be made any accused. But his name (Zia’s name) should have been there as an accused (in the case),” she told Parliament.
The Prime Minister said this while delivering her valedictory speech in the 14th session of the 11th parliament.
Hasina said Bangabandhu’s killers Farooq and Rashid in their interviews with the BBC had said Zia was involved in the conspiracy. It was also stated in the books of Anthony Mascarenhas and Lawrence Lifschultz. “So, how can they (BNP) deny it?” she questioned.
Read: Evidence on Zia's involvement in Bangabandhu killing to be made public
Coups and killings
Mentioning that so many people were killed in different jails during the Zia’s regime, the Prime Minister asked the members of parliament (MPs) to take an initiative to find out how many people were hanged in different jails at that time.
“I think our MPs should take an initiative to find out how many people were killed during the Zia’s regime. So many people were hanged in every jail, particularly in Dhaka, Bogura, Rajshahi, Khulna, Cumilla and other places. There were coups one after another and hundreds of people were killed,” she said.
Hasina said a good number of army officers and soldiers and 562 air force officers and soldiers were killed during Zia’s regime.
Mentioning different activities of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman during the 1971 Liberation War, the Prime Minister questioned about his contribution to the War.
“Zia was a freedom fighter and Bangabandhu provided him with gallantry award. All these are true, but what’s his role in the Liberation War, anyway?” she said.
When Khaled Mosharraf had been injured, Major Haider took over the charge.” Zia didn’t become a sector commander rather he worked as an “Odhinayak”, Hasina said.
Referring to BNP MP Harunur Rashid, she said the MP mentioned that the casualties were high in the area where Zia was in change. If so, there is a question what he did in the war. “Whether he made an arrangement in favour of Pakistan so that our freedom fighters die? It’s my question,” she said.
Hasina said Colonel Aslam Beg, who was in Bangladesh during the Liberation War and later became the chief of Pakistan Army, wrote a letter to Ziaur Rahman during the war complimenting Zia’s works at that time.
She mentioned that Aslam Beg, in his letter, said Zia did a good job and they (Pakistan) were happy with his works. He also asked Zia not worry about his (Zia’s) wife and sons. Aslam also assured that Zia would be given more tasks in the future, said the PM.
Hasina said she has also a copy of the letter. She would bring it to read out in Parliament another day as it should remain there as record in the proceedings of parliament.
Read: 'Will prove Zia's involvement in Bangabandhu killing': Minister
Mayor of Baltimore City, Maryland removes Zia’s name from road
The office of the Mayor of Baltimore City, Maryland, USA has removed the name of former military ruler President Ziaur Rahman, said the US chapter of Awami League.
At a press conference, the AL leaders said the Mayor office made it clear that they would not honor a military dictator by naming a road after him.
Earlier, the AL leaders applied to the office of the Mayor to remove Ziaur Rahman's name.
Also read: Museum in Ctg circuit house named after Zia will be removed: State Minister
On Thursday, a hearing was held at the Maryland State’s Baltimore city’s Mayor’s office.
The argument was that Gen Zia was a military dictator who came to power through a bloody Coup d'état and he should not be recognized by the great country of America.
After the hearing, his name was removed which was shared by the AL leaders at a press conference.
The AL leaders said Zia's name was removed as he was the first military ruler of Bangladesh underlining democracy while the US is a democratic country.
Also read: Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
Dr Prodeep Ranjan Kar and Engineer Mohamnad Ali Siddiqui, among others, briefed the media there who also had joined the hearing.
Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
BNP on Tuesday warned that the government will have to face dire consequences if it removes the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman from Chandrima Udyan in the capital.
“The current regime has been spreading ruthless, cruel and disgusting lies about the body of Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, his grave and even his contribution to the Liberation War,” said BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayaplatan central office, he also alleged that many ministers being inspired by the Prime Minister are making ‘unguarded’ comments against Zia only to be there in her good book. “Their only job is to lie, spit venom, assassinate characters and distort the Liberation War history.”
Also read: BNP knows it very well Zia’s body not there at Chandrima Udyan: PM
He asked the ministers who are making ‘derogatory remarks’ against Zia to tell people under which sector they fought in the battlefield during the Liberation War? "We want to say firmly that if the worst thing, like removing the body of Zia, is done, they'll have to face dire consequences. Their hands will be broken, crushed and burnt.”
On Monday, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said the government will remove the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman from the parliament premises.
He also said the gallantry title conferred on Zia for his role in the Liberation War will also be annulled based on documentary evidence about his involvement in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The minister also asked BNP to prove Zia’s body is there in Chandrima Udyan. ”I’ll apologise to the nation if it’s proved that Zia’s body is there.”
Also read: Govt kept schools, colleges closed out of fear of movement: BNP
Prince criticised the minister for what he said were such ‘discourteous’ comments involving Zia’s grave and DNA test. “The Liberation Affairs Minister himself defamed the freedom fighters by making false remarks against a sector commander of the Liberation War.”
He said those who are lying about Zia and the outstanding contributions of Z Force under his leadership will be thrown into the dustbin of history. “The nation is rejecting them with hatred.”
The BNP leader said Zia needs not to take a Liberation War certificate from those who lived in Kolkata at that time. “The common people of Bangladesh gave him that certificate. We condemn and protest the indecent and false remarks by the ministers about Ziaur Rahman, his body and grave.”