United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday (December 02) said not only BNP leaders and activists but people across the country are deeply worried and sympathetic over the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. “We will pray only to Allah for the recovery of our leader Khaleda Zia. She is the symbol of people’s trust in this country,” he said while supervising a Qurankhwani and the slaughtering of goats as sadaqah-e-jariyah at his residence in the capital. Rizvi said Khaleda had led the nation through many critical junctures, never left the country, and remained beside people with courage and determination despite repeated attempts to remove her from the political landscape. Read more: Govt ready to provide special security to Tarique Rahman: Home Adviser “Today, it is not just the BNP or its associate and front organisations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sechchhasebak Dal and Mohila Dal—who are worried. People outside the party are also gripped by deep concern and sympathy. It is difficult to express in words the emotions surrounding her critical illness,” Rizvi said. Speaking about the religious activities held for her recovery, he said orphans and madrasah students had been reciting the Holy Qur’an since morning under the guidance of an imam present at the event. “We firmly believe Allah will accept their prayers, Qur’an recitation, and this sadaqah-e-jariyah,” he added. Under the supervision of Kofil Uddin Ahmed, joint convener of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, goats were slaughtered as sadaqah-e-jariyah seeking Khaleda Zia’s recovery, and the meat was distributed among the poor and destitute. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with several health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observations.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday (November 26) criticised deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying the reported recovery of a large quantity of gold ornaments from bank vaults registered under her name exposed how big a ‘thief’ she was. “I saw in the newspaper that 832 bhori of gold was found in two Agrani Bank vaults belonging to Sheikh Hasina! How big a thief must someone be for such things to happen? It is natural for her to flee. She knew she was a thief,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while speaking at a Doa and Milad programme organised by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal at Nayapaltan Bhasani Bhaban, seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery and good health of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. BNP to revoke power sector indemnity provision if voted to power: Rizvi He said no gold was ever found in any bank vault in the name of Khaleda Zia, unlike Sheikh Hasina, as she is a patriotic politician. The BNP leader said despite losing her husband, home, and witnessing her children being abused, Khaleda never left the country. He said the BNP chairperson remained in Bangladesh with immense courage and patriotism, committed to protecting the nation. In contrast, Rizvi said, Sheikh Hasina left the country at the first sign of trouble. “When the difficult time came (in 2008), she quickly fled to her son. And later, seeing the people’s anger, she again escaped.” The BNP leader recalled how Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders used to boast, ‘Bangabandhu’s daughter does not flee the country!’ “But those whose character is that of thieves, robbers, and bandits are cowards. When bandits, robbers, and thieves are chased, they have to run, leaving behind whatever they cannot take. She (Hasina) did not get the chance to take that gold,” he said. Rizvi alleged that Sheikh Hasina wanted to weaken Bangladesh and make the country subservient to others by indulging in widespread plundering. “But because of the unwavering determination of Begum Khaleda Zia, and the way she, along with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, kept the nation united, Sheikh Hasina could not succeed, and in the end, she had to flee,” he observed. Read more: Hasina still conspiring to obstruct election from abroad: Rizvi Following the ouster of Hasina, Rizvi said the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, has been running the country for 15 months. “Now the World Bank says that six crore people in Bangladesh are at risk of falling into poverty, and three crore are already below the poverty line. Why should this happen? This is not what we want. The people do not want this either.” He said the interim government has promised to hold a free and fair national election in February next year, before Ramadan, so that the people can exercise their right to form a government of their choice. The BNP leader expressed hope that the interim government will continue to work neutrally to restore democracy and ensure people’s voting rights through the next national election. He praised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, saying the nation prays for her recovery and holds deep affection for her commitment to the country. “Despite numerous illnesses and many hardships, she never abandoned the party, the country, or its soil, and never backed down. We take great pride in having a leader like her.” Rizvi said Khaleda Zia has shown them the way out of deep darkness, teaching how to remain steadfast during crises, speak with restraint against opponents, and maintain unity even in turbulent times. He accused the previous Awami League government of deliberately worsening Khaleda Zia’s health during her imprisonment. “She walked into jail healthy in a false and unjust case, but later her condition worsened through various means… This was a conspiracy driven by Sheikh Hasina’s vindictiveness.” Read more: What Does Gold Carat Mean? Decoding Gold Purity Levels

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday (November 17) alleged that the fascist Awami League is using ‘money looted from various banks and mega projects’ to buy cocktails and carry out acts of sabotage. “Those who committed crimes during the fascist era are now the ones shamelessly setting buses on fire. Cocktails are being bought with money looted from different banks. Funds misappropriated from projects like the Padma Bridge and Metro Rail are being used to finance acts of sabotage,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. During the fascist rule, he said the Awami League controlled the media and carried out vicious propaganda against BNP leaders and activists who were fighting for democracy, falsely linking them to arson attacks. “Even then, we repeatedly said that pro-democracy people had no connection with these arson incidents, and BNP leaders and activists had no involvement. We also presented clear evidence at the time that pro-democracy activists and the BNP had absolutely no link to arson violence,” he said. The BNP leader said the true perpetrators of arson violence are now visible to everyone. Read more: Tarique hails Australian MPs’ call for democracy, election integrity in Bangladesh He said their party wants a peaceful Bangladesh where people of all opinions can speak freely, and where elections take place smoothly, fairly, and in an inclusive environment. Rizvi said the crimes committed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure must face due punishment. “If Sheikh Hasina is properly punished for her crimes, it will stand as a powerful example. The previous fascist government controlled the media to spread propaganda. People believe there will be no more dictated courts like in Sheikh Hasina’s era. The country’s people want fair justice, and they are now witnessing it and will continue to witness it,” he said. He recalled the brutal mass killings during the July–August uprising carried out by the Hasina regime using law enforcement agencies. “We still remember how Abu Sayed, Mugdho, and Waseem Akram were brutally murdered, and how many children were mercilessly killed. Those horrific memories remain with us.” The BNP leader alleged that Sheikh Hasina has been making unfair statements from India to create chaos in Bangladesh. “Why is India allowing this? By sheltering a criminal and giving her the scope to incite violence and carry out subversive activities against Bangladesh, India is violating the law. The people of Bangladesh do not view this positively. Such behaviour is unacceptable.” Replying to a question, Rizvi said, as in the previous year, instructions have been given not to hold any programmes, including cutting any cake, on Tuesday (20 November) to mark BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s birthday. Read more: Fakhrul calls for resistance against ‘vested quarter’ ahead of Hasina verdict

BNP has approved a full-fledged committee for its Narsingdi district unit, along with convening committees for Mymensingh South, Sherpur and Manikganj districts. A press release issued on Thursday, signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, confirmed the approval of organisational committees for these four districts. A 151-member full committee has been formed for BNP’s Narsingdi district, with party Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon appointed as president and Monjur Elahi as general secretary. For Mymensingh South district, a 43-member convening committee has been approved, making Zakir Hossain Bablu as convener and Rokonujjaman Sarker Rokon as member secretary. BNP leader Hafizuddin slams Prof Yunus for ‘untrue’ remark on election timeline Meanwhile, a 41-member convening committee for the party’s Sherpur district has been formed, with Sirajul Islam appointed as convener and ABM Mamunur Rashid Palash as member secretary. Besides, Afroza Khanam Rita has been made the convener of the 61-member convening committee for the Manikganj district unit of BNP. The formation of these new committees is part of BNP’s ongoing efforts to reorganise and strengthen its units in preparation for the upcoming national election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday suspected that Dhaka University Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Shahriar Alam Shammo was killed for political reasons, as he raised his voice in favour of the national flag and anthem. “Shammo held a position in the AF Rahman Hall unit of Chhatra Dal. What was the reason, and what wrong did Shammo commit to deserve such a fate? The police have arrested three vagabonds. We believe there is a political motive behind this murder,” he said at a human chain programme. The BNP leader questioned, if there was no political motive, why would a well-groomed, gentle young man like Shammo be subjected to murder. “Why would vagabonds kill him? Who were Shammo’s political enemies? We are getting a few clues. So, identify these political enemies and bring them to justice immediately. Otherwise, the consequences will be dire,” he warned, pointing at the government. The Northern Region Students’ Forum organised the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding justice for the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, who hailed from Sirajganj district. Shammo, a student of Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research (IER) and the Literature and Publication Secretary of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of JCD, was stabbed to death near Suhrawardy Udyan around midnight on Tuesday. JCD stages protest at DU demanding VC’s resignation Just days ago, Rizvi said Shammo posted on Facebook in defence of the national anthem during a protest in Shahbagh demanding its ban. “Could this be why he was targeted?” he asked. “He posted in favour of the national anthem. He delivered a message against those protesting the anthem. Was this the reason for his killing?” he said. The BNP leader drew parallels with the political killing of Abrar Fahad in 2019. “Just as Abrar was murdered for speaking against the neighbouring country’s aggression and water aggression, now Shammo has been killed for speaking in favour of the national anthem, the flag, or our independence. That’s why I said, there must be a political reason behind it.” He urged the police to thoroughly investigate the murder of the JCD leader, expressing doubt over the arrest of the three vagabonds. “Why are there still bodies lying on the campus? Why is there still blood on the campus? Why is there still bloodshed inside the university grounds? The associates of the Awami League are no longer in power,” he observed. Rizvi also criticised the Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor for allegedly mistreating JCD leaders who had approached him seeking justice for Shammo’s murder. “You became irritated, angry, and even addressed them disrespectfully. Why? Just because Shammo was from Chhatra Dal?” he questioned. “We know your political ideology. You and your proctor follow a specific belief and do not favour those who represent nationalist views on campus. If university authorities act like gang leaders trying to impose their ideology, then it is no longer a university,” he said. DU students hold torch procession to protest Shammo's death The BNP leader noted that a Vice-Chancellor may have personal beliefs, but when he becomes an administrator, he must act impartially. “If you try to enforce your ideology instead of ensuring peace, the campus will never be peaceful.” He also urged the interim government to run the country wisely and inclusively. “Look in all directions. If you try to impose one ideology or promote one party, the people will eventually not spare you.”

BNP on Friday alleged that the government has failed to take any effective step to save people from the deadly coronavirus and make them aware of it.