Ilias Kanchan

'Janata Party Bangladesh' launched under Ilias Kanchan’s leadership

Noted actor Ilias Kanchan on Friday launched a new political party named 'Janata Party Bangladesh' with a pledge to turn Bangladesh into a country of justice. Kanchan, who is also the chief of the road safety advocacy group Nirapad Sarak Chai, has taken the helm as the chairman of the newly-formed party. Journalist Shawkat Mahmud, former vice-chairman and advisory council member of BNP who was later expelled from the party, has been made the secretary general of the new party. The party was formally introduced at an event held at Hotel InterContinental’s ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ hall in Dhaka. “Just as I have served the people of this country with honesty through Nirapad Sarak Chai, I now wish to serve the nation with the same integrity through this political platform. I hope people will support, inspire, us and view any of our shortcomings with generosity,” said Kanchan. He also explained the reason that prompted him to enter politics. “For 32 years, I worked to promote road safety without any assistance from the government. I have come to realise that meaningful change is not possible without political will and support from the state.” Shawkat Mahmud said, “History bears witness that new political forces often emerge in the aftermath of mass uprisings, revolutions, and movements in Bangladesh. As the state is going to be reshaped by the spirit of the mass uprisings of 1971 and 2024, the emergence of a new political party has become inevitable.” At this crucial juncture in the nation’s history, he said, “We are announcing the formation of this new party with a commitment to ensuring justice, public welfare, democracy, and sovereignty by eliminating inequality, fascism, and all forms of dominance.” Mahmud said Janata Party Bangladesh is rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War, the National Revolution of 7 November, the mass uprising of the 1990s, and the spirit of the 2024 July Revolution. Jamaat Ameer expounds on moral lessons emanating from July Uprising “Our core slogan will be ‘We will build a nation of justice’. We aim to move forward in building a new Bangladesh based on equality, dignity, and social justice,” he said. Presenting an 18-point charter of the Janata Party Bangladesh, Mahmud said the party’s distinctiveness lies in its genuine patriotism, ideological transparency, courage, internal democracy, and its unified commitment to public service. “We want to return the ownership and policy-making rights of the state to the people. Guided by the wisdom of the elderly, the active participation of expatriates, and the energy of youth, we aim to take the nation to new heights of knowledge, science, and development.” In essence, he said they envision a truly just and sovereign Bangladesh as a new force for a safer future. Party chairman Ilias Kanchan announced the party’s 27-member central committee and its intention to apply for registration with the Election Commission. The key members of the committee include: Executive Chairman and Spokesperson Golam Sarwar Milon; Vice-Chairmen Rafiqul Haque Hafiz, ABM Waliur Rahman Khan, Rehana Salam, Md Abdullah, MA Yusuf, and Nirmal Chakraborty. Secretary General Shawkat Mahmud will be supported by Senior Joint Secretary General M Asaduzzaman; Joint Secretary Generals ABM Rafiqul Haque Talukder Raja, Al Amin Raju, and Nazmul Ahsan. Nurul Kader Sohel has been named as Coordinator, while Murad Ahmed will serve as Organising Secretary. The honorary members include Retired Major Imran, Retired Colonel Sabbir, Technology Affairs Secretary Gulzar Hossain, and Publicity Secretary Hasibur Reza Kallol. Advisory council members are Shah Md Abu Zafar, Retired Major Mujib, Iqbal Hossain Mahmud, Farhad Hossain Mahbub, Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui, Auwal Thakur, Touhida Faruqi, and Mamunur Rashid. Kanchan mentioned that the committee would be further expanded in due course.

7 months ago

Interim govt failed to ensure safe roads: Ilias Kanchan

Ilias Kanchan, the founder and chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa), on Thursday expressed concern that although five months have passed since the formation of the interim government, no significant efforts have been made to ensure road safety. He made the remarks during the inauguration of a traffic awareness campaign for students, held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday. Nischa organised the event. Ilias Kanchan spoke about his long-standing efforts for safer roads, reflecting on his journey in the movement. WaterAid shares lessons from project on climate-induced migrants in Khulna, Satkhira "I started this movement back in 1993, and it was during my young time that I dedicated myself to it. I campaigned for four-lane roads and a dedicated highway police force. In 2010, I called for the introduction of a law to ensure road safety, but it wasn't until 2018 that the law was finally passed. The roads I fought for are the very ones you walk on today, and I am proud to have contributed to that progress," he said. Kanchan also highlighted the importance of government and political support in making the movement successful. "Without the government and political leaders, it is impossible to make the safe road movement successful. We can raise demands, but the government will have to fulfill them," he added. He expressed frustration with the lack of unity and coordination in addressing the issue, saying, "The government doesn’t listen to the opposition here. That's why I had to struggle for 32 years. I approached everyone and said, ‘This is a national issue’.” The actor said that in other countries, everyone unites on such issues, but not in their country. When the government passes a law, opposition leaders get involved with the labour leaders, and this cycle continues, he mentioned. Kanchan commented on the role of the Ministry of Communications, questioning its effectiveness. "What is the role of the Ministry of Communications? Their job is to build roads. They are responsible for 24,000 roads, while local governments manage nearly two lakh roads. Do they see anything? They are sitting idle." Netherlands Ambassador, BGMEA Administrator discuss collaboration for a sustainable RMG industry in Bangladesh He also criticised the lack of coordination between different authorities, saying, "The City Corporation is supposed to manage everything in the city, but no one knows who is responsible for what." Kanchan also raised concerns about the Ministry of Home Affairs, stating, "What is the Ministry of Home Affairs doing? There is no coordination." Dr Kazi Mohammad Saifun Newaz, an Assistant Professor at the Accident Research Institute (ARI) of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), emphasised the importance of road safety campaigns, particularly for students. "The goal of this campaign is to reduce the death rate of students on the roads." Citing global statistics, he said, "According to WHO, the highest death rate on the roads is among young people." Dr. Newaz suggested that schools and colleges, which already have many student clubs, should establish clubs dedicated to road safety awareness. Nischa President Abdullah Mehdi Dipti, General Secretary Tanzid Mohammad Sohorab Reza were, among others, present.

11 months ago

Ilias Kanchan is the new president of film artistes' body

Veteran actor Ilias Kanchan has been elected as the new president of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association. Actor Zayed Khan, on the other hand, was re-elected as the general secretary in the 17th edition of the Association elections held on Friday. Pirzada Harun, the Chief Election Commissioner, announced the results in the early hours of Saturday at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) office in Dhaka. The newly elected president who was the the Kanchan-Nipun panel's candidate got a total of 191 votes. His opponent, Misha Sawdagor, the immediate-past president, bagged 148 votes. Representing the Misha-Zayed panel, the re-elected general secretary got 176 votes, while his opponent actress Nipun from the Kanchan-Nipun panel bagged 163 votes. With 219 and 191 votes, Monowar Hossain Dipjol and Masum Parvez Rubel retained their positions as vice-presidents from the Misha-Zayed panel, defeating actor Riaz and DA Tayed who received 156 and 112 votes, respectively. Among other candidates, actress Shahnoor and actor Symon Sadik have been elected as the new joint secretary and assistant general secretary, respectively. Similarly, former international affairs secretary Mamnun Emon was elected as the new secretary for culture and sports. He was the Kanchan-Nipun panel's candidate. Read: ‘Koozhangal’ wins top award at 20th Dhaka Int’l Film Festival Different from the 2019 election’s ‘clean-sweep’ by the Misha-Zayed panel, this year’s executive body with a tenure of two years has a mix of members from both panels. Actors Anjana, Rozina, Aruna Biswas, Sucharita, Ali Raj, Chunnu and last term’s presidential candidate Moushumi will join the new executive body from the Misha-Zayed panel, while actors Keya, Jasmine, Amit Hasan and Ferdous, who received the highest votes among all the candidates, will join from the Kanchan-Nipun panel. Voting activities for the biennale election were conducted under the strict vigil of police and RAB on the BFDC premises, adhering to all Covid-safety protocols. Read: ‘World Film Manifesto Program’ at DU to showcase Emir Kusturica A total of 428 candidates were listed as voters for this year’s election, while 365 cast their ballots to elect the new executive body. The EC rejected 26 votes for various reasons. Some 184 artistes were excluded from voting in this year’s election.

3 years ago

Ilias Kanchan to vie for president in film artistes’ association elections

Popular film actor Ilias Kanchan is going to run for president in the upcoming election of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association, said a press release on Monday. The election will be held on January 28. According to the press release, Ilias Kanchan will run for president while actress Nipun Akter will run for general secretary from the same panel. Ilias said other members of the panel, including Nipun, offered to vie for the post of president. Considering the current situation in the industry, ‘’I agreed’’, said the release. Also read: Mission Extreme hits 3 more European countries He also said “if we win, we all work together and the industry will move forward”, added the release. “I have to make some plans to save our industry. First of all, we have to increase the number of films because without films, the halls cannot run. Taka one thousand crore is being given for the construction of cinema halls across the country, he added. “I want to revitalize the industry and I am moving forward with this”. He said the government has many initiatives about the film industry adding that the prime minister has taken many initiatives for the betterment of cinema. “I also want our industry to move forward with something good.” Also read: Release of 'Shaan' postponed Ilias Kanchan-Nipun panel will collect nomination papers on January 11, read the release.

3 years ago