Renewing the demand for holding the next national election under a non-party government, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain said there is a possibility to revive Jatiya Oikyafront, an electoral alliance with BNP, to force the government to meet their demand. “We strongly demand that the next parliamentary election be held under a non-party government as we saw in the past it couldn’t be held in a fair and credible manner under a partisan government,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at a city hotel, Dr Kamal said they have a bitter experience of general elections under a partisan government. “We can expect to get a free and fair election if it’s held under a non-partisan government.” The Gonoforum chief said they are placing the demand for a polls-time impartial government to bring the issue to the limelight afresh. “We’ll work out our action programmes to realise it in the days to come.” As his attention was drawn to the constitution that has no provision for impartial government, he said it can be included in the constitution in the face of people’s demand. Replying to a question, Dr Kamal said a crisis will be created and a strong movement will be waged if the government does not accept their demand. Reviving Oikyafront Dr Kamal said though Jatiya Oikyafront -- formed before the 2018 national election -- has become an inactive platform, it still has the potential to rejuvenate. “In that sense, now Oikyafront doesn't have any existence, but there’s a scope to revive it, extend it, or to get united afresh,” he said. The Gonoforum President said they will sit for discussions on reviving the Oikyafront and take a decision on it later. READ: Dr Kamal for united movement to ‘oust govt’    On October 13, BNP, Gonoforum, Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya floated the alliance, Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Kamal Hossain ahead of the 11th parliamentary election. Kader Siddiqui’s Krishak Shramik Janata League formally joined it on November 5, 2018. The alliance took part in the December-30 national election using BNP’s election symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy, but got only eight seats -- BNP six and Gonoforum two. On July 18, 2019, Kader Siddiqui’s party left the alliance as it became inactive after the 11th parliamentary election. Enacting law for EC formation Dr Kamal said it is better to constitute the new Election Commission by enacting a law instead of forming it through a search committee. “The search committee can’t be neutral if it’s not constituted with impartial persons.” “We’re in favour of forming the next Election Commission under a law. We think there’s a chance to form a somewhat neutral Election Commission by enacting a law.” He also said enacting any law will be meaningless if it is breached. “Overall, I think a good and honest intention is necessary to form a neutral election commission.” READ: Dr Kamal’s Gonoforum to hold special council on Dec 4 Dr Kamal voiced concern as the prices of all essentials have increased following the hike in diesel price and transport costs. “The price of every item shouldn’t be so high due to the increase in the diesel price. The prices of daily essentials are going beyond the buying capacity of common people. We think it’s unjustified.” He urged the government to take steps for lowering the prices of essential items. The Gonoforum chief also said they had a plan to hold their party’s council on December 4, but they may arrange it at the end of January.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday demanded the immediate resale of Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam from jail as he thinks she was implicated in a ‘false case’ by bureaucrats. “Where’s the barrier to granting bail to Rozina when the entire journalist community, political parties, human rights organisations and eminent citizens of the country are demanding her release?” he said. Dr Kamal said, “We demand that Rozina be freed immediately and we all are her guarantors.” Also read: Don’t judge Rozina issue emotionally: Info Minister to journalists He made the remarks in a written statement at a civic rally in front of the National Museum in the city’s Shahbagh area demanding the release of Rozina and annulment of the Official Secrets Act and the Digital Security Act. Gonoforum Joint general secretary Mostaq Ahmed read out the statement at the rally in favour of Dr Kamal. Dr Kamal said Rozina went to the Secretariat on May 17 to perform her professional responsibility. Also read: Rozina to get fair judgement: FM tells CNN As she published reports on massive corruption in the health ministry, the Gonoforum President said bureaucrats harassed her for five hours and handed her over to police by implicating her in a ‘false’ case. “It’s our question as to why journalist Rozina was confined to a room at the Secretariat till 8pm,” he said. Dr Kamal also demanded the government repeal the Official Secrets Act and Digital Security Act and ensure press freedom. Also read: Order on journalist Rozina Islam’s bail Sunday He urged all to get united to force the government to revoke all the ‘black’ laws and ‘restore’ people’s voting rights. Speaking at the rally, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury voiced anger as a Dhaka court did not pass its order on a bail petition of Rozina in a bailable case on Thursday. He urged the journalists to get united putting behind their divisions to establish their rights and ensure press freedom. Also read: Drop all "oppressive charges" against Rozina: HRW Nagroik Oikay convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Dhaka University professor Asif Nazrul, chief coordinator of Ganosanghati Andolon Zonayed Saki, noted photographer Shahidul Alam and former Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) vice president Nurul Haque Nur, among others, spoke at the programme.

A group of noted citizens, including Dr Kamal Hossain, on Saturday demanded the release of over 50 students, belonging to Chhatra Odhikar Parishad arrested around two months backs, on bail before Eid-ul-Fitr. They made the demand at a press conference at the conference room of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra in the city’s Dhanmondi area. On May 5, 18 eminent citizens sent a letter to Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain requesting him to take steps to remove the barriers to the release of the arrested students on bail. The students were arrested during their protests against the Digital Security Act and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Bangladesh. Joining the press conference virtually, Gonoforum President and veteran jurist Dr Kamal Hossain said the arrested students should be granted bail. “Bail is a matter of rights, not a matter of mercy.” He said students always work to mobilise public opinion and wage movements on different important and time-befitting issues. “We’ve always encouraged this practice. So, the students should be granted bail.” Mentioning that the judiciary has a long tradition of granting bail to student leaders, he said even the lower court played a courageous role in giving bail to students in the past.  “We can recall that leaders had been taken to jail for their various remarks during the tough movements in the past. But they were given bail by the court immediately after filing petitions.” He said people had been kept in jail by implicating them in Agartala conspiracy case. “We then showed the power of court by securing bail for them. “The lower court used to grant bail whoever was caught in the past.” Speaking at the press conference, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said getting bail is people’s human and legal right. “Now our main problem is that judges are no longer driver by  conscience. They’re heavily controlled by the government and the police.  He said it has been over a month since the cases were filed against the students, but they are not being granted bail. “Five similar cases were filed and it’s necessary to get bail in all the cases which is a long trial process. A specific directive should be given by the Chief Justice in this regard.” Stating that eid will be celebrated within a few days, he urged the Chief Justice to ensure bail for the students before the festival exercising the judiciary’s constitutional power. “It must be remembered that these students have been created today's Bangladesh. The Bengali language was established as the students waged the language movement.” Earlier, Dhaka University teacher Prof Asif Nazrul read out the letter sent to the Chief Justice by the 18 eminent on citizens on May 5 in this regard. Freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, writer and anthropologist Rehnuma Ahmed, noted photographer Shahidul Alam, and former vice president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) Nurul Haque Nur, among others, spoke at the programme. Eighteen noted citizens who sent the letter to the Chief Justice include Dr Kamal Hossain, Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, Dr Zafrullah, Barrister Mainul Hosein, Hafizuddin Khan, ASM Abur Rob, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Badiul Alam Majumder, Prof Dilara Chowdhury, Rehnuma Ahmed, Dr Reza Kibria, Asif Nazrul and Zonayed Saki.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain has demanded the government scrap the Digital Security Act instead of just amending it.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Sunday called upon the country’s people to be vocal in demanding the annulment of the Digital Security Act.

Nearly 26 months after joining the party, Dr Reza Kibria resigned from Gonoforum and its post of general secretary.

A faction of Gonoforum leaders, led by its former general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, on Wednesday warned of taking organisational action against party president Dr Kamal Hossain if he does not refrain from indulging in its ‘anti-constitutional’ activities.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday said democracy must be made functional so that the country’s people can exercise their basic rights.

Gonoforum, led by its president Dr Kamal Hossain, has served show cause notices on its four senior leaders, including former general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, for ‘creating chaos in the party and violating its charter’.

Mostafa Mohsin Montu, leader of a faction of Gonoforum, on Saturday hinted that they will remove party president Dr Kamal Hossain if he does not join their national council scheduled to be held on December 26.