United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Monday alleged that the government is seeking to amend the Cyber Security Act with an “ulterior motive” to suppress opposition views and prevent alleged government corruption and politicisation from being exposed. “The government is moving to amend the law to suppress the opposition and the media so that its corruption and politicisation cannot be exposed,” he said. The Jamaat leader was speaking at a seminar titled “Cyber Security Act 2026: Security, Control or Suppression of Freedom of Expression?” arranged by Jamaat’s Information and Broadcasting Department at the Jatiya Press Club. He claimed that political leaders and journalists will be particularly vulnerable to harassment under the proposed amendments and urged the government to abandon the move. Porwar urged the government to keep the Cyber Security Act, 2026 unchanged and scrap the proposed amendment draft, questioning why the law needs to be changed only four to five months after its enactment. “The government is showing instability and indecision,” he said. He alleged that the BNP is using its parliamentary majority to pass laws “contrary to the Quran and Sunnah”, while disregarding the referendum verdict. The Jamaat secretary general said the government repealed ordinances concerning the prevention of enforced disappearances, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Supreme Court Secretariat. “The government is turning fascist by virtue of its majority.” Writer and journalist Abul Asad chaired the seminar, where Associate Professor Rafiquzzaman Ruman of Manarat International University presented the keynote paper. Abul Asad said the government has failed to honour the referendum mandate by not implementing the July National Charter though it previously pledged to execute it fully. “This implies that the government does not abide by the July Charter; indeed, it seeks to amend old draconian laws only to replace them with even more oppressive legislation,” he added. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Jamaat lawmakers Shafiqul Islam Masud and Nurul Islam Bulbul also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday protested the government’s decision to raise fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre, saying it will further worsen people’s sufferings amid rising commodity prices. In a statement, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said people were already struggling due to the unchecked rise in commodity prices, while the balance between the income and expenses of low- and middle-income people has been disrupted. “They are struggling to meet their household expenses. In such a situation, the decision to raise fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre in one go will create a fresh crisis in people’s lives and further increase their sufferings,” he said. The Jamaat leader said the impact of the fuel price hike will not remain confined to vehicle users. As fuel is one of the key components of transportation and production systems, he said, the price hike will increase costs of agricultural and factory production, transportation and doing business. “Consequently, prices of essential commodities and other goods will rise in the market. Ultimately, the common people will have to bear the burden,” Porwar said. He said the government should have considered people’s purchasing power, the incomes of low- and middle-income groups and the overall economic situation before taking the decision. “Passing the burden of instability in the international market directly onto the people can in no way be considered a public welfare policy,” he said. The Jamaat leader said the government should first take effective measures to explore alternatives, reduce costs, prevent waste and irregularities, improve efficiency in fuel management and cut unnecessary expenditure in the relevant sector. At the same time, he said, strict monitoring should be ensured to control the prices of goods in the market and irregularities by middlemen should be stopped. “If the government tries to address the financial pressure on state agencies simply by raising prices, it will have long-term adverse impacts on people’s livelihoods,” Porwar said. He said alleviating people’s suffering is the government’s responsibility and repeatedly imposing an additional economic burden through price hikes is unacceptable. “We urge the government to withdraw its decision to increase fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre,” he said.

Jamaat led 11-party alliance on Sunday rejected the government's initiative to amend the Constitution through a special parliamentary committee, demanding implementation of the constitutional reform process approved in the February referendum. “We have decided that we do not support any initiative for constitutional amendment in principle. We want constitutional reform,” Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on behalf of the alliance said at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club in the city. The alliance said the parliamentary committee cannot replace the Constitution Reform Council envisaged under the July National Charter implementation framework, arguing that the people's direct mandate must be respected. The alliance's position comes as the parliamentary special committee invited political parties that signed the July Charter to hold discussions. The 12-member committee, headed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, was formed in July after opposition parties refused to nominate members, with the government saying it would later seek their views on the reform process. Parwar said the 11-party alliance had rejected the committee because the February 12 referendum had endorsed not only constitutional reform proposals but also a specific mechanism for implementing them. “The people's mandate cannot be replaced by a parliamentary majority. Nor can any special committee be a substitute for the sovereign will of the people,” he said. He argued that elected MPs from the 11-party alliance had taken oath both as members of parliament and as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council, while BNP lawmakers took oath only as MPs. The alliance maintains that Parliament and the proposed reform council have different legal identities and sources of authority, describing Parliament's constitutional amendment power as delegated power and the people's authority to reshape the constitutional order as ‘constituent power.’ Parwar also questioned the government's reliance on Article 142 of the Constitution, saying Parliament's amendment power was not unlimited. He referred to the Supreme Court's rulings concerning the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, 13th and 16th constitutional amendments as evidence that parliamentary amendment powers have constitutional limits. The alliance also cited the basic structure doctrine, arguing that fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be altered merely through a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Parwar said the alliance wanted the elected representatives to complete the required oaths and activate the Constitution Reform Council rather than proceed through the parliamentary special committee. “We officially reject the initiative of the special committee on constitutional amendment,” he said, adding that there was still time for Parliament to activate the reform council in accordance with the referendum verdict. 11-party alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad said the alliance had held a top-level meeting before deciding to reject the government's invitation for discussions. He said the alliance had participated in the July Charter process and signed the document, but would not participate in what it considers an alternative process for constitutional reform. Parwar also challenged the government's argument that the Constitution Reform Council lacked a legal basis, referring to Article 152's definition of ‘law’, which includes an Act, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, notification and other legal instruments having the force of law. The parliamentary special committee, meanwhile, has said it intends to consult political parties, constitutional experts, lawyers, members of the judiciary, intellectuals, editors and other stakeholders before finalising its recommendations.

The 11-party alliance has taken to the streets to protect the rights of 18 crore people, Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman said on Saturday. “I believe you are all aware of our demands. I swear by Allah, not a single one of these is a partisan demand. These are the demands of 180 million people,” he said. Dr Shafiqur, also Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, made the remarks at the concluding programme of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March at Rangpur Zilla School grounds on Saturday night. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance organised the long march from Dhaka to Rangpur with an eight-point demand. It was the alliance’s second long march in a fortnight. Dr Shafiqur alleged that the government had failed to keep the promises it made to the people before the election. He said the government had earlier urged people to vote “Yes” in a referendum but was now using various excuses to avoid implementing the referendum verdict. He also alleged that the government had passed a law that contradicts the Quran and Sunnah. “Before the election, this government pledged that if it formed the government, it would not enact any law contrary to the Quran and Sunnah. Yet, it has already passed a law that clearly contradicts the Quran and the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him),” he said. “If this law remains in force, the Muslims of Bangladesh will not sit idle. This law will bring disaster to every household and society. This haram (forbidden) law must be withdrawn,” he added. Dr Shafiqur said their struggle against injustice and “fascism” would continue. “Our struggle against all malevolent forces, injustice and fascism will continue. We will not rest. We have taken to the streets to secure the rights of 180 million people. We will return only after securing those rights, Insha’Allah,” he said. He said the alliance’s eight-point demand could be turned into a single-point demand if necessary. “My colleagues have said that our eight-point demand could, at any time, become a single-point demand if the needs of the nation require it,” he said. Dr Rahman hoped that a good sense will prevail within the government. “If not, we will not sit idle. There will be strong protests inside parliament, while the movement will continue on the streets,” he added. “And through that movement, we will realise the people’s demands, Insha’Allah,” Dr Shafiqur said. He also said thousands of women had joined the street programmes in support of the movement. “Today, thousands of our mothers and sisters have also taken to the streets to encourage us and express their solidarity and unity. A movement joined by mothers is destined to succeed, Insha’Allah,” he said. The long march towards Rangpur was launched from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka in the morning. Five street rallies were held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School.  Earlier on September 5, the alliance held its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram with a six-point demand, including the implementation of the verdict reflected in the February 12 referendum; trial of the July 2024 mass killings; resolution of the electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer crisis; controlling soaring prices of essential commodities, making an end to corruption, extortion and occupation; and improvement of law and order.

Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said their 'long march' programmes are not aimed at fulfilling the wishes of any person, party or group, but realizing the demands of the country’s 180 million people. “On the way from Dhaka (to Rangpur), thousands of mothers, sisters and children stood by the roadside to greet and congratulate us. When mothers and sisters (women) take to the streets, our demands will be met—Insha'Allah,” he said. Dr Shafiqur, also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, made the remark while addressing a street rally at Chowmatha intersection in Palashbari, Gaibandha in the evening as part of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March of the 11-party alliance. The 11-party opposition alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, was staging its second long march in a fortnight, this time from Dhaka to Rangpur, with an eight-point demand on Saturday. The long march towards Rangpur was launched from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka in the morning.  Five street rallies were held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School.   Earlier on September 5, the alliance held its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram with a six-point demand, including the implementation of the verdict reflected in the February 12 referendum; trial of the July 2024 mass killings; resolution of the electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer crisis; controlling soaring prices of essential commodities, making an end to corruption, extortion and occupation; and improvement of law and order. Ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur long march, the opposition alliance extended the six-point demand to an eight-point demand by incorporating two other demands – making an end to narrow partisanisation and implementation of Teesta mega plan. The opposition leader at Gaibandha rally said they would not have organised the long march if the July Charter had been implemented, the people’s verdict in the referendum had been honoured, corruption and extortion had been stopped and farmers had received fertilizer. Dr Shafiqur said people could no longer tolerate oppression. “Not a single one of our demands is for the party; all are for the people,” he said. “If the government does not accept the demands, our eight-point demand will turn into nine, 10 or even one-point demand,” he said, urging people to prepare to join the long march to Dhaka. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, urged the government to form the constitution reform council to reform the Constitution, even if belatedly, to free the people, said a press release here.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said their eight-point demand could be turned into a single demand at any time depending on the needs of the people. “We have taken to the streets today with an a set of eight demands. Depending on the needs of people, these eight demands can turn into a single demand at any time. If you remain by our side, Inshallah, we will achieve our demands and return home.” The Jamaar Ameer said these while speaking at a roadside rally of the party-led 11 party alliance  at Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur as part of its long march from Dhaka to Rangpur. Leaders of the alliance, including, Colonel Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram and Mamunul Haque, addressed the rally. The rally, which began in the morning, was presided over by Professor Md Jamal Uddin of the Dhaka metropolitan unit Jamaat-e-Islami. Central, district and metropolitan-level leaders of the alliance also spoke at the programme. A large number of leaders and activists welcomed the long marchers on both sides of the road as the procession travelled from Tongi to Bhogra. After the rally, the leaders and activists resumed their journey towards Rangpur in a convoy of vehicles. The 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is holding its second 'long march' from Dhaka to Rangpur on Saturday, seeking public support for their 8-point demand, including the implementation of the “people's verdict” in the February 12 referendum and resolution of the energy and fertilizer crisis. The 11-party alliance launched the long march towards Rangpur from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka around 8 am. Five roadside rallies will be held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School. The other demands are trial of the July 2024 mass killings, taking measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. On September 5 last, the opposition alliance staged its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on a six-point demand. But the alliance expanded it to an 8-point demand ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March.  

The 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is set to hold its second 'long march' from Dhaka to Rangpur on Saturday, seeking public support on their seven-point demand, including the implementation of the people's verdict in the February 12 referendum and resolution of the energy and fertilizer crisis. The 11-party alliance will launch a long march towards Rangpur from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 7:00 AM. The inaugural rally will continue until 8:00 AM. Later, five roadside rallies will be held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School. The other demands are trial of the July 2024 mass killings, taking measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. Jamaat Secretary General and Long March Implementation Committee Convener Mia Golam Parwar on Friday called upon the government not to create any obstruction or hindrance to their “disciplined and peaceful” Dhaka-Rangpur Long March scheduled for Saturday. “Our appeal to the government is that no obstruction or hindrance should be created in any way to the disciplined and peaceful Long March,” he said while briefing reporters at the central office of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the capital on Friday. The Jamaat leader asked their leaders and activists participating in the Long March not to fall prey to any provocation. “We will make our democratic programme successful by showing the utmost patience and restraint. Even if we are harmed or physically attacked, we believe that it would be a great achievement in making the Long March successful than in seeking revenge,” Golam Parwar said. He sought cooperation from the government, the ruling BNP, police and civil administration, intelligence agencies, traffic authorities, roadside small traders and pedestrians, and drivers and passengers of vehicles. Golam Parwar said extensive preparations had been taken by all district and metropolitan Jamaat units along the route of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March. About its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram held on September 5, he said they earlier staged a Long March towards Chattogram with six demands aimed at strengthening democracy and meeting the aspirations of the people. “Now another demand has been added, making it seven,” he said. Citing that top leaders of the 11-party alliance held a meeting at the residence of the opposition leader on Thursday, he said they decided to add the demand for implementation of the Teesta Master Plan to the Long March towards northern Bangladesh, considering it a longstanding demand of millions of people in the region. “We demand that the government immediately remove whatever hesitation or fear it has regarding implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and take all necessary measures through diplomatic channels,” said Golam Parwar. He said millions of people were now preparing to welcome the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March along the route. “We have received information that more than 1,000 vehicles will join the Long March convoy. Instructions have been given for the vehicles and responsibilities have been assigned,” he said. On September 5 last, the opposition alliance staged its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on a six-point demand. But the alliance expanded it to a seven-point demand ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March as the demand to halt corruption, land grabbing and extortion was added to the original six points.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday demanded transparency in the selection of 25 recruiting agencies for sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia, asking the government to clarify the criteria behind the selection. “The government must make it clear that it is not involved. It must also clarify the criteria on which these agencies were selected,” he said. The Jamaat leader made these remarks while speaking at a seminar titled “Syndicate and Malaysia Labour Market: Bangladesh’s Partnership” at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. He said, “We want an open labour market in Malaysia but ‘dishonest’ businesses or institutions should not be allowed to benefit from the process.” Questioning the selection of the 25 agencies, he said, “They appeared to have been chosen as ‘master agencies’ with associate agencies working under them.” “What are the criteria? The media have already reported that some of these agencies have no previous experience. On what basis were they selected?” he asked. The Jamaat leader also raised concerns over the high cost migrant workers bear, saying many spend Tk 5-7 lakh to secure jobs abroad by taking loans, selling land or livestock, or borrowing money. “If a worker has to spend his entire working life repaying the debt, what will his condition be?” he asked. Referring to the 11-party alliance's upcoming long march program, he said his party was now campaigning with seven demands and would add the issue to make it an eight-point demand. According to a PID handout issued on Aug 28, a memorandum of understanding signed between Bangladesh and Malaysia on Dec 18, 2022 placed the responsibility for selecting Bangladeshi recruiting agencies solely with the Malaysian government. It said the Malaysian Cabinet approved 25 agencies each from Bangladesh and Nepal and 10 each from India, Pakistan and Myanmar among the five major worker-supplying countries. The handout said the selection was a sovereign decision of the Malaysian government and that all 25 agencies approved for Bangladesh were included in a list of 423 recruiting agencies prepared by the previous interim government. The program was chaired by Jamaat e Islami Naye –e-Amir Mujibur Rahman. Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, Barrister Shahriar Kabir, JagPa spokesperson Rashed Prodhan , among others, spoke at the event.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday accused the ruling BNP of forgetting its pledge to institutionalise democracy, saying the July 2024 mass uprising created a historic opportunity to establish democracy in the country. “The previous Awami fascist government had buried democracy, but the July 2024 mass uprising created a historic opportunity to establish democracy in the country. Before the election, BNP pledged to institutionalise democracy. But after coming to power, they have forgotten that pledge,” he said in a message issued ahead of International Democracy Day, to be observed on Tuesday. Shafiqur, also ameer of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said the previous Awami League government deprived people of their voting rights, justice, social security and fundamental rights. “Democracy is not merely a temporary process of forming a government; rather, it is the main foundation for ensuring people’s fundamental rights, social justice, freedom of expression and the rule of law,” he said. If democracy remains protected, a society can move forward on the path of progress, free from authoritarianism, exploitation and discrimination, the opposition leader said. He said Bangladesh has a long history of sacrifice and struggle, with people repeatedly shedding blood to restore democracy and human rights. “Unfortunately, throughout history, the democratic rights of the people have been taken away in various ways due to authoritarian attitudes and abuse of power,” Shafiqur said. He said students and people from all walks of life brought the July uprising by shedding their blood. “This uprising must not be allowed to fail. At any cost, we must build a discrimination-free and humane Bangladesh that meets the expectations of the nation,” the opposition leader said. He said there is no alternative to democracy in building a discrimination-free society based on justice, honesty and human values. “On this special occasion of International Democracy Day, Jamaat pledges to consolidate and institutionalise democracy. To this end, Jamaat has been working tirelessly to establish equality, the rule of law, citizens’ rights and freedom of expression in the country,” Shafiqur said. “The nation must not be pushed towards the curses of enforced disappearances, killings and crossfire under any circumstances,” he added. The opposition leader called for implementing the referendum verdict to free the administration from narrow partisan and for making the country free from bribery, corruption, extortion and land grabbing. “We must pledge to build a completely transparent and genuinely people-oriented system of governance,” he said. Shafiqur called upon people from all walks of life to play a united role in institutionalising democracy, ensuring fair civic services and standing against any form of injustice to build a discrimination-free and humane Bangladesh.

The opposition 11-party alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, is set for its second long march from the capital towards Rangpur on September 19 to press home a seven-point demand, including the implementation of the “people's verdict in the February 12 referendum, trial of July 2024 mass killings, and resolution of the energy and fertilizer crisis. In addition to an inaugural meeting at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue and a concluding rally at Rangpur Zilla School, the opposition party will hold five street-corner meetings across five districts on that day. The other demands are taking measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. Hamidur Rahman Azad, the coordinator of the 11-party alliance and Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, disclosed this information to journalists today at an emergency preparatory meeting of the alliance's liaison committee held at the Leader of the Opposition's official residence in the capital. The 11-party alliance will launch a long march towards Rangpur from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 7:00 AM. The inaugural rally will continue until 8:00 AM. Later, roadside rallies will be held at Bhograpara in Gazipur, Nagar Jalfai in Tangail, Sirajganj Chowrasta, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School. Hamidur Rahman said the opposition party’s six-point demand has now evolved into a seven-point demand; demands to halt corruption, land grabbing, and extortion being added to the original six points. “Since corruption is now operating on a competitive basis, the corruption, land-grabbing, and extortion, surpassing even the previous fascist era,” he claimed. “That’s why we have incorporated this new demand, thereby expanding our list to seven points,” he added. He alleged that calls had been made to take appropriate measures to resolve the ongoing oil and gas crisis, yet the government failed to provide a solution. “Recently, the Leader of the Opposition put forward a proposal to resolve the crisis through discussions involving a task force or committee comprising both the ruling and opposition parties,” he said. “Following the formation of the committee, the opposition put forward ten proposals, but the government did not take them into consideration,” he also claimed. The Jamaat leader raised questions on what steps the current government has taken to resolve the crisis during its six months in office, while attributing blame to the previous government. He claimed that the government failed to take appropriate measures. “Alongside the gas crisis, a shortage of fertilizer is now emerging. If this crisis persists, the country could face a food shortage, and the entire nation will have to suffer the consequences,” he said. Leaders of the 11-party alliance, including Nasiruddin Patwary, Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party, Tofazzal Hossain Miyaji, Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis; and Rashed Prodhan, Spokesperson for the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party were present at the press briefing.