Students on Tuesday staged demonstration early Tuesday protesting the decision of Jatiya Party that had declared Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, top two key coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, ‘persona no grata’ in Rangpur. The agitated students brought out a procession from the Medical intersection of the city around 3:30 am and ended at the same point after parading different streets including Shaheed Mukhter Elahi Chattar and Check-post. Wrongdoers must be tried: Sarjis Alam The protesters were also found chanting different slogans. Later, they held a rally where the representatives of the student movement were present. During the rally, the speakers threatened to build resistance against the Jatiya Party if the party did not seek apology immediately. They also said the Jatiya Party has no jurisdiction to declare Sarjis and Hasnat as persona non grata. Earlier, Co-Chairman of Jatiya Party and former mayor of Rangpur City Corporation, Md Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa declared them as ‘persona non grata’ in Rangpur until they withdraw their statement about Jatiya Party.  

According to a new Pew Research Center report released Wednesday, the Black Lives Matter movement has lost popularity among Americans in the last three years. According to Pew, 51% of Americans strongly or somewhat support the Black Lives Matter movement. According to the organisation, this is a decrease from over 70% of Americans who voiced support for the campaign in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing in 2020 and 56% last year, reports CNN. According to the report, the waning support is mostly due to a decline in the proportion of white individuals who say they support the movement. According to Pew, the total number of Black and Hispanic adults who voiced support has remained stable over the last year. Also read: Black Americans faced over 1.63 million excess deaths over 2 decades, new study finds Eighty-one percent of Black adults back the movement. According to the poll, 63% of Asians and 61% of Hispanics agreed, compared to 42% of white adults. According to the research, when asked which words best define the movement, over one-third of Americans said "dangerous" and "divisive" describe it extremely or very well, the report said. However, there were considerable disparities across races and ethnic groupings. While white adults were more likely than other groups to think the phrases "dangerous" and "divisive" characterize the Black Lives Matter movement extremely or very well, 50% of Black adults said the word "dangerous" does not describe the movement very well or at all, according to the report. Also read: Protests spread in wake of George Floyd death in US According to Pew, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans are all more likely than white adults to say the phrase "empowering" characterizes the movement extremely or very well. However, almost one-third, or 34%, thought the same thing about the word "divisive". Adults under 30 were more likely to support the movement than those in all other age categories. The research also revealed a large ideological divide. According to the research, 84% of Democrats and Democratic leaners favour the Black Lives Matter movement, while 82% of Republicans or Republican leaners reject it, the report also said. Americans also shared their thoughts on the movement's influence on a variety of problems. According to the study, around 32% of Americans believe the movement has been extremely effective in drawing attention to racism towards Black people. According to Pew, a smaller proportion of US respondents said the movement had a similar influence on enhancing police accountability (14%), improving the lives of Black people (8%), and improving racial relations (7%). Also read: Bangladesh to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement These findings are based on an online survey conducted from April 10 to April 16 among a random sample of 5,073 persons in the United States, derived from panels initially recruited using probability-based approaches, the report concluded.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the country’s people have to establish their voting rights through a fierce movement as there is no chance of a good sense prevailing upon the Awami League government. He also alleged that the government is trying to suppress the ongoing movement of people by sending opposition leaders and activists to jail and establishing its control on the state machinery. Talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, the BNP leader  made remarks while giving the party’s reaction to the High Court verdicts that upheld the jail term of BNP leaders Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Amanullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman in separate corruption cases. “These verdicts have manifested that the government has grabbed the entire state machinery, including the judiciary. They are trying to subdue the democratic movement by sending the opposition leaders and activists to jail with dictated verdicts,” he said. The BNP leader strongly denounced the apex court’s verdicts against Tuku, Aman and Sabera. “We think these are dictated judgment. The democratic movement can never be stopped by such judgments. People must realise their rights." Fakhrul, along with BNP leaders and activists, paid homage to Zia by placing wreaths at his grave in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the 42nd death anniversary of the party’s founder. Earlier in the day, a High Conch bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat upheld the jail term of BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, and party’s Dhaka north city unit convener Amanullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman in separate graft cases. Also Read: Govt softens tone on talks to resolve crisis over next polls: Fakhrul Fakhrul said their party is aggrieved at the court’s verdicts. “It is clear from these incidents that there is no possibility of prevailing good sense upon this government. The only way to defeat this regime and bring back the rule of law, democracy, democratic system and fair elections is a fierce movement of people.” He said the government has been making various efforts to keep the people of the country away from democratic rights, and politics. “The government is also working so that a fair and neutral can’t be held. They want to hold a lopsided election further. But this time people will not allow it.” Also Read: US visa policy reflects people’s long-standing demand for restoration of voting rights: Fakhrul The BNP leader said they are observing the death anniversary of their party founder at a time when the country’s people have lost their voting and other democratic rights under the current one-party rule. “On this day we’ve taken a new oath that we will restore the lost democracy of Bangladesh at any cost,” he said. BNP and its associate bodies observed the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman with various programmes. 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. Apart from BNP its different units and associate bodies paid homage to Zia and offered fateha at his grave on the occasion.

Ganatantra Mancha on Wednesday announced a five-day programme, including a road march, to intensify its ongoing movement to oust the Awami League government. Saiful Haque, the coordinator of the alliance and general secretary of Bangladesh-er Biplobi Workers Party, came up with the announcement of the fresh programmes at a press conference at his party office. The programmes include staging marches on May 23 in Dhaka South and on May 28 in Dhaka North, and a road march towards Dinajpur from Dhaka on June 4 to June 6. Saiful said the common people in the country are going through extreme hardship due to price hike in daily necessities, including food, the crisis of gas, electricity and repeated hikes in the prices of utility services. “The country’s people have been pushed towards an intolerable situation through serious mismanagement in all areas, widespread theft, corruption and unbridled plundering and money laundering. It is very clear that the government can’t run the country," he said. Saiful alleged that the government has put the future of the country’s people and democracy in jeopardy by staying in power by force. “The people of the country can’t accept this situation in any way.” He said they have announced the fresh programmes of the ongoing movement on the basis of their alliance’s 14-point demand to bring a change in the government and governance." As part of their programmes, Saiful said the leaders and activists of the alliance will march towards Bahadur Shah Park from the Jatiya Press Club at 10am on May 23 and while another march will be held in the Badda area on May 28. Read more: Simultaneous Movement: Ganatantra Mancha brings out mass procession in Dhaka Earlier on Saturday, BNP announced countrywide rallies on May 19, 20, 26 and 27  to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government and to protest against the arrest and harassment of party leaders and activists in ‘false cases'. PM’s comment on polls-time government unacceptable Speaking at the press conference, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna turned down the Prime Minister’s comment on the formation of the election-time government with her political allies, saying it is a blueprint to confuse people.  "She (PM) has not proposed any interim government. She herself will remain in power...Our point is that this government must go. Then the internal government will be formed,” he observed. About the issue, Saiful Haque said the indication given by the Prime Minister to form an election-time government with her political allies in the Parliament under her leadership is not acceptable in any way." “Such a government is an extension of the current authoritarian oppressive regime.” He said the ‘farcical’ polls in 2014 and 2018 have proved there is no scope to hold a free and fair election under the Awami League government. “That is why we are continuing our efforts to intensify and expand the mass movement with opposition parties, including BNP, in a simultaneous manner based on our 14-points, including the resignation of the current government before the election, dissolution of the Parliament and establishment of the interim government,” Saiful said. Read more: New opposition alliance ‘Ganatantra Mancha’ launched

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said they will become victorious soon together with people in their ongoing anti-government movement for the restoration of people’s voting and other rights.  “We’ve initiated the movement not to come to power as our goal is to turn Bangladesh into a truly modern welfare state so that people can get back their all rights. We also launched the movement to ensure justice, equality, and remove equality,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said they made good progress in their current movement. “The language we see in the eyes of ordinary people and their strong desire and determination give us inspiration and courage to move forward every day. I believe very soon we will win this struggle with the people of Bangladesh." Also Read: AL destroys electoral system by “so-called” SCBA polls, says BNP demanding fresh vote 'Arpan Bangladesh', a voluntary organisation, arranged programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) in memory of the opposition leaders and activists who were killed recently in the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy and demanding the unconditional release of the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The voluntary organisation also provided the family members of slain opposition leaders and activists with gifts ahead of Ramadan. Fakhrul said he joins the progarmmes for the family members of the victims of enforced disappearance and killing with a very heavy heart. “I have been attending such events for the last 15 years. “When I come to such programmes I feel sad and they (victims' families) also feel the same. But so far we have not been able to do much for them.” Pointing at the victims’ family members, he said, “You have lost husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. The history of human civilization says that such supreme sacrifice will never go in vain. Their blood and the tears of their mothers can never go in vain.” Also Read: BNP delegation attends dinner hosted by Indian envoy Fakhrul said they liberated the country by waging a war against the Pakistani occupation forces as they snatched the rights of people, destroyed democracy, and denied handing over power to an elected government. “We also fought to get a democratic Bangladesh. “We won that battle. Unfortunately, we are again fighting and giving our lives to get that democracy back.” He said freedom fighters never imagined a Bangladesh where there is no human dignity, security of life, freedom of expression, voting rights, and justice. Fakhrul said the lawyers who were subjected to attacks went to the Chief Justice on Thursday seeking his initiative to resolve the problem that emerged over the Supreme Court Bar Association. "He (Chief Justices) told them he would do if he has any option to do anything. Then, where will we go, to whom will we go, and where will the people of the country go?    

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday denounced attempts to undermine the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the historic Language Movement. “Bangabandhu was jailed for waging the Language Movement. Why was he in jail (at that time) if he had no contribution?” she asked. The premier said this after conferring the "Ekushey Padak 2023" to 19 eminent personalities and two organizations in recognition of their contributions to the 1952 language movement, art, culture, journalism and journalism. She handed over the Ekushey Padak, the country’s second highest civilian award, at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.  Hasina said the ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan, which inspired the freedom fighters to make their supreme sacrifice, and the historic 7th March speech were banned after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in 1975.  “Actually his name was obliterated from history. Not only that, his contribution to the Language Movement was erased,” she said, adding that even some scholars said he had no contribution since he was in jail at that time. The PM said Bangabandhu was arrested on three occasions within months after the emergence of Pakistan as a country. Arrested in 1949, he was not released until February 27, 1952, she noted. While he was in jail, student leaders used to meet him and received his instructions regarding the Language Movement, she said adding that it can be learnt reading the books ‘Oshomapto Attojiboni’ (Unfinished Memories) of Bangabandhu and ‘Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Bangabandhu. Read more: Help us in relocating Rohingyas to Bhasanchar: PM Hasina urges UN The specific dates, names of student leaders who met Bangabandhu and his role during the Language Movement can largely be learnt from the 113-130 pages of the Volume-II of the secret documents book. The PM extended her sincere thanks to the awardees and noted personalities. The Cultural Affairs Ministry organised the event on the occasion of ‘Amar Ekushey’ and International Mother Language Day. Among the award recipients, Khaleda Manzoor-e Khuda, freedom fighter AKM Shamsul Haque (posthumous), and Haji Mohammad Majibor Rahman received the award for their roles in the Language Movement. Masud Ali Khan and Shimul Yusuf received the prestigious award for their contributions in acting, while Manoranjan Ghoshal, Gazi Abdul Hakim and Fazal-e-Khuda (posthumous) for music, Jayanto Chattopadhyay for recitation, Nawazish Ali Khan for Shilpakala (arts), and Kanak Chanpa Chakma for painting. Besides, Momtaz Uddin (posthumously) was given the award in the Liberation War category, Md Shah Alamgir (posthumously) in journalism, Dr Md Abdul Majid in research, Professor Dr Mazharul Islam (posthumously) in education, Saidul Haque in social service, Advocate Manjurul Islam (posthumously) and Akhter Uddin Mia (posthumously) in politics, and Dr Maniruzzaman in language and literature. Bangladesh National Museum received the award in the category of education and Bidyanondo Foundation in social service. Each awardee received a gold medal, a certificate of honour, and a cheque worth Tk four lakh. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid chaired the award giving ceremony, while Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain conducted it and read out the citations of the award recipients. Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Abul Monsur delivered the welcome address. The Ekushey Padak was introduced in the memory of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement.

As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement against the current government, a rally of BNP began in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of a huge number of leaders and activists of the party and its associated bodies. The rally formally began around 2:30 pm with recitation from the holy Quran. The organisers said the programme is meant for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party Baksal rule by Awami League on this day in 1975, rise in the prices of power and gas and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government. Read more: People won't accept 'democracy of BAKSAL': Fakhrul Hundreds of party leaders and activists started gathering at the venue in small processions since noon, halting traffic in the area that caused public suffering. An adequate number of law enforcers have been deployed in and around the rally venue to fend off any untoward incident. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will announce the next course of action from the rally. Apart from BNP, other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations are also observing a similar programme in Dhaka and other divisional cities and district towns on Wednesday as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government. Meanwhile, Ganatantra Mancha and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya held separate rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club and announced a countrywide demonstration programme for February 4. BNP is likely to announce a similar programme for the same day from its rally. Read more: No more mockery in the name of election to be allowed: Fakhrul Besides, the 12-Party Alliance is holding a rally near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank while Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in front of the Jatiya Press at and LDP at FDC Crossing. It is the fourth programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession in December 30, sit-in on January 11 and rally and procession on January 16.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said that they are determined to make their movement successful by fighting against imprisonment and oppression. He was speaking at a discussion meeting of BNP marking the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman’s birth anniversary in the capital’s Ramna. He also vowed to fulfill their 10-point demand. “We must force this government to resign and of course we will force a national election by dissolving Parliament and forming a new Election Commission through a new caretaker government.” “That's why we have to carry forward the ideals of the former president Ziaur Rahman. We have to move forward with his extraordinary courage, his wisdom, his foresight.” Regarding the assets owned by Bangladeshis abroad, Fakhrul said the new leaders of the ruling party Awami League (AL) are purchasing these properties abroad after looting the people’s assets. “Most Bangladeshis bought houses abroad, especially in London. They are the new Awami Leaguers who have looted the country's wealth and are buying these houses,” he added. He said, "People all over the country know that you (AL) are looting the assets.” Read more: Fakhrul vows to intensify anti-govt movement The BNP leader also denounced the government’s move on mandating Bijoy Keyboard for all mobile phones. He said this ‘Bijoy Keyboard’ is owned by Mustafa Jabbar, who is the Minister of Post, Telecommunication Information Technology. “It is a rule that a minister can never involve his company in any profitable work of the government. In this case, they are doing such things publicly with official announcements.” Earlier in the day, the leaders and activists of BNP along with the general secretary paid tribute to Zia's grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The party has announced a 10-day program marking Ziaur Rahman's birth anniversary from January 17. Read more: BNP vows to continue movement

The Ganatantra Mancha on Friday brought out a mass procession in the capital as part of the simultaneous movement of the opposition parties and alliances to unseat the current government. The leaders and activists of the Ganatantra Mancha gathered in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the morning and brought out the procession around 11.30am. The other opposition parties and alliances will also bring out mass processions in the capital from different points. Read more: Simultaneous Movement: 33 opposition parties set to take out mass processions in city The BNP leaders and activists gathered in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office for carrying out their procession at 2pm. They started thronging the Nayapaltan area in the morning, carrying placards with photos of the party's top leaders. A large number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area. Also, as per the schedules, the 12-Party Alliance will bring out a procession from the Fakirapool Panir Tank area, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote from Purana Paltan Crossing, LDP from FDC Crossing and Jamaat-e-Islami from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque around 2:30pm. After the procession, the opposition parties and alliances are likely to announce fresh programmes to intensify their simultaneous movement.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said BNP is free to hold meetings and processions, but her government will take stern action if the opposition resorts to arson attacks and killings in the name of anti-government movement. “We have no objection to your movement. But we will not spare a single person if there is any incident of arson attacks, burning people alive and hurling grenades on the innocents,” she said in issuing a warning to BNP. The prime minister said this while addressing the sixth triennial national council of Mahila Awami League, an associate body of the ruling Awami League, at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. Hasina, who is the president of AL, attended the opening session as the chief guest. The prime minister’s warning came as BNP has launched a campaign of divisional rallies to demand that the AL government steps down to pave the way for forming a neutral caretaker administration for holding the next general election. The opposition party is also highlighting the sky-rocketing prices of the essential commodities. The next national election is not due until January 2023. PM Hasina lambasted BNP-Jamaat regime for unleashing a rein of torture and repression across the country after it came to power in 2001.   “They came down on the womenfolk. There was not a single place in Bangladesh where their torture and oppression was not done,” she told the conference.