United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher returned home on Thursday evening after completing medical treatment in Singapore, said a press release issued by the party’s Central Publicity Department. He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6pm, accompanied by his wife, Professor Dr Habiba Chowdhury Sweet. Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, and Central Executive Council member and Ameer of the party’s Dhaka North city unit Mohammad Selim Uddin welcomed him at the airport.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday warned that the government's refusal to implement the referendum verdict could push the country towards political confrontation. “The government itself is pushing the country towards a confrontation in politics if it continues with its one-party, stubborn and authoritarian attitude,” he said. He made these remarks at a press conference at the party's central office while announcing preparations for the 11-party alliance's long march from Dhaka to Kushtia on Saturday. Accusing the BNP-led government of disregarding the public mandate, he said BNP leaders, including the current Prime Minister, had earlier urged people to vote 'Yes' in the referendum but were now questioning its constitutional validity. The Jamaat leader also questioned the government's position, saying it had benefited from the electoral process under the referendum-related legal framework, with its leaders assuming office as MPs and Ministers, while refusing to recognise the referendum outcome. He urged the government to convene a session of the Constitution Reform Council alongside the next parliamentary session scheduled for November 9 to discuss implementation of the referendum verdict. The Jamaat leader said the opposition was ready to cooperate with the process, while criticising the government's decision to form a special committee as unilateral and tantamount to parliamentary autocracy. He added that implementing the July Charter could help resolve political disagreements and restore public confidence. The alliance's other demands include justice for those involved in the July killings, resolving shortages of essential utilities and agricultural inputs, controlling commodity prices, improving law and order, and stopping partisan appointments, corruption and extortion, he said. The long march will start at 7am on Saturday from the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka and end at Kushtia District Stadium. The almost 425-kilometre journey will cover 19 districts, with around 1,500 vehicles expected to join the convoy, he said. The convoy will travel via the Padma Bridge and Mawa, passing through Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Khulna, Jashore and Jhenaidah, with planned stops at Naodoba, Katakhali, Babri Chattar, Phultala, Chanchra and Chuadanga. The march is aimed at mobilising public support for the alliance's seven demands, he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Thursday accused intelligence agencies of spreading false information about opposition leaders. “Those intelligence agencies that cannot ensure the safety of a former air force officer are attempting to mislead the public by spreading baseless, false and imaginary information about opposition leaders. This is nothing but ridiculous,” he said. He made these remarks in a statement issued today following the recovery of former Flight Lieutenant Tahsif Souri’s body from the Turag River. He expressed deep concern over the incident and questioned the role of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He alleged that the incident had raised serious questions about the agencies’ performance and said they should be held accountable for any failure or negligence in carrying out their responsibilities. He said ensuring the safety of citizens was a fundamental responsibility of the state and called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation to establish the actual cause and circumstances of Souri’s death. The Jamaat leader also demanded the arrest and appropriate punishment of those found responsible for the incident. He said legal action should be taken against any officials or agencies found to have neglected their duties or been involved in a crime during the investigation. “No one can escape accountability for negligence in discharging state responsibilities,” he said. He also urged the authorities to ensure that Souri’s family received justice. The statement, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation that intelligence agencies had spread false information about opposition leaders.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Thursday alleged that ballot book counterfoils at several polling centres in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election had been stamped and signed in advance, potentially creating opportunities for fake voting. “We have received reports that voters are being prevented from reaching polling stations and that, in some cases, votes have already been cast before the voters themselves could exercise their rights,” he said. The Jamaat leader made these remarks at a press briefing at the party’s central office in the capital. He cited an incident in which a woman was allegedly told that her vote had already been cast when she went to vote. “Advance stamping and signing of ballot book counterfoils could create opportunities for fake voting,” he said, demanding an investigation into the allegations and action against those responsible. He also alleged that voters had been intimidated, party activists assaulted, and polling agents prevented from performing their duties or forced out of polling centres. He said presiding and polling officers at several centres had failed to produce proper identification badges when asked, raising questions about the verification of election officials. The Jamaat leader further alleged that Hindu voters had been intimidated and that government employees and people working at educational institutions had been pressured over their support for Jamaat’s ‘daripalla’ (scales) symbol. He also claimed that money had been distributed to buy votes in the constituency. Criticising the Election Commission for its alleged failure to take effective action, he said a Jamaat delegation had met the chief election commissioner before the election and submitted nine written complaints and three demands. The 11-party alliance had also lodged complaints with the commission over alleged irregularities, he added. He said deploying a large number of law enforcement personnel alone could not guarantee a neutral election, adding that the army could have helped protect voters, prevent fake voting, and maintain order at polling centres. He said the failure to address allegations of irregularities in a single by-election would raise questions about the impartiality of future elections to union parishads, municipalities, city corporations, and upazila parishads.

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman discussed the implementation of the July Charter, or lack thereof, as well as parliamentary roles, rules and decorum, with a delegation of the European Union (EU) on Thursday. EU Ambassador Michael Miller headed the delegation, which arrived at the opposition leader's official residence in the afternoon. The two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest to Bangladesh and the EU in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement. They held detailed discussions on implementing the July Charter and the referendum verdict, the roles of the ruling and opposition parties in parliament, and the reform process. Optimism was expressed at the meeting that bilateral relations between the EU and Bangladesh, along with the trajectory of development and progress, would continue in the future. Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, foreign affairs adviser to the Leader of the Opposition, and Ali Ahmad Mabrur, a member of the opposition leader's foreign affairs advisory committee, were also present.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Wednesday warned that ruling party BNP could face a fate similar to that of the ousted Awami League, if it pursued authoritarian politics and obstructed democratic change. “BNP must learn from the Awami League’s fascism. If it does not stop its authoritarian approach, it too will have to face such a cruel fate,” he said. He made these remarks at a discussion session arranged by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir to mark the October 28, 2006 violence in Paltan at the Jatiya Press Club in the city. He accused the BNP of betraying the public mandate it received in the February 12, 2026 election to build a humane and just Bangladesh, alleging that its actions were creating obstacles to democracy. “Their approach is that no one else will remain and everyone must accept whatever they say. This is fascism,” he said, describing the situation as parliamentary fascism. The Jamaat leader also accused the ousted Awami League of suppressing democracy, holding controversial elections, and repressing political opponents during its years in power. He said the July 2024 mass uprising had created an opportunity to establish a Bangladesh based on democracy, justice, and human dignity. Referring to the 2006 violence, he said the sacrifices of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists had helped inspire the movement for political change. He claimed that Shibir’s victories in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election and student union elections at five major public universities signaled growing public support for Islamic politics. On October 28, 2006, violent clashes between activists of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and those of the BNP-Jamaat-led alliance in Dhaka left several people dead and injured. Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir, commemorate the day as a symbol of sacrifice and resistance.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami-led 11-party alliance on Wednesday warned of a nationwide movement if the Thakurgaon-1 by-election scheduled for Thursday (October 29) is not held fairly.  “If the situation takes a different turn in Thakurgaon by-election, the movement across Bangladesh will reach an intense stage,” Alliance’s coordinator AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad told reporters in the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Earlier, an 11-party alliance delegation, led by Azad, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin to raise their concerns and observations regarding two issues –-Thakurgaon by-election and upcoming local government elections.    During the meeting, the alliance reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khairul Islam, arguing that merely keeping him away from election duties is not enough to prevent his alleged influence on the election. It also demanded a departmental inquiry into the allegations against him. The delegation submitted written complaints over alleged attacks, intimidation and obstruction of their campaign activities in the Thakurgaon-1 constituency which fell vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir assumed office as the President. Azad, also an assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, said the alliance demanded the removal of the UNO, but the Election Commission (EC) has only barred him from election-related duties without withdrawing him from his post. “We had asked for the UNO to be removed, but he has not been removed. The Election Commission has only kept him away from election activities. We have insisted that he must be withdrawn and departmental action taken against him,” he said. Azad warned that if Thursday’s election is not neutral, the alliance will consider the EC’s actions merely an eyewash. “Tomorrow’s election will determine whether we participate in the local government elections. If the election is not fair, the movement will spread across the country,” he said. Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, expressed concern over the safety of Hindu voters in the constituency. He said the alliance urged the EC to bring the polling, vote counting and the announcement of results under the surveillance of CCTV cameras and take immediate action if irregularities are detected. Referring to the 1994  Magura-2 by-election, the Jamaat leader said the election triggered a movement that eventually led to the fall of the BNP government in 1996. He informed that the EC told them that adequate law enforcement personnel  have  already been deployed in the election area and assured the delegation that it will take action if irregularities occurred. About the upcoming local government elections, the delegation expressed concern over uncertainty of timeframes and the possibility of government influence.   

Terming the Awami League a 'club of fascism' rather than a political party, Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday said the party has lost all moral and democratic rights to practice politics in Bangladesh. "If politics means public welfare, nation-building, ensuring social justice, and eliminating discrimination, the Awami League possesses none of those qualities. Therefore, they have no right to do politics in Bangladesh," he said. He made these remarks while addressing a discussion and views-exchange meeting with the family members of the victims of the October 28, 2006 "logi-boitha" clashes, arranged by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the IDEB Bhaban in the Capital. The Jamaat chief issued a stern warning against those attempting to rehabilitate the Awami League. “Some quarters are pampering them. Do not play with venomous snakes, this very snake will strike and finish you. No one should even daydream about the return of fascism in Bangladesh,” he said. He questioned how those who ordered indiscriminate shootings on unarmed youth and turned mothers' laps empty could ever return to the political arena to receive wreaths. Recalling the 2006 ‘logi-boitha’ clashes at Paltan, he said the Awami League has historically relied on state-sponsored terrorism, bloodshed, and unlawful killings to cling to power from the 1972–75 era to the last 15 and a half years. He alleged that the party withdrew the 2006 murder cases upon assuming power through backdoors, only to later judicially execute top Jamaat leaders in what he called ‘false cases’ decades later. “They must bear the consequences of their misdeeds. We will see the end of this trial,” he said. Reiterating that Jamaat will never compromise on the blood of the martyrs, the opposition leader demanded exemplary, fair trials for all perpetrators of political killings. He also called on the current administration to respect the public mandate for fundamental political change and proceed with constitutional reforms to ensure fascism never resurfaces.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a two-day program on October 27-28, demanding justice for those killed in the violence on Dhaka’s streets on October 28, 2006. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar announced the program in a statement on Sunday, calling on the government to arrest those involved in the killings and bring them to justice. As part of the program, Jamaat will hold a discussion meeting in Dhaka on October 27, with Ameer Shafiqur Rahman attending as the chief guest. On October 28, the party will organise protests, discussion meetings, and doa across the country. Porwar described the violence involving sticks and oars on October 28, 2006, as a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. He said those responsible for the killings had yet to be brought to justice, describing the delay as unfortunate and shameful. Porwar also urged all branches of the party to implement the announced program and called on people from all walks of life, including farmers, workers, and students, to participate in making them successful. The October 28, 2006 violence, widely known as the ‘Logi-Boitha’ clashes, erupted between activists of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and those of the BNP-Jamaat-led alliance in Dhaka amid a dispute over the appointment of the caretaker government’s chief adviser. The clashes remain a politically contentious episode in Bangladesh’s history.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Sunday accused the Election Commission of failing to exercise its constitutional powers to ensure a fair election in the face of political pressure ahead of the October 29 by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency. “The commission is helpless under political pressure,” he said at a press conference after a Jamaat delegation met the commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban, submitting nine written complaints and placing three demands over alleged electoral irregularities. He said the commission's response did not fully reassure the delegation, although the party remained hopeful and intended to contest the by-election. He alleged that local administration officials were favouring BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin, while complaints over election code violations and attacks on Jamaat activists were not being properly addressed. The Jamaat leader demanded the removal of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, accusing him of acting in favour of the BNP candidate, including through alleged campaign-related Facebook posts and meetings with the candidate. He also alleged that Jamaat activists, including women, had been assaulted and that Hindu voters were being threatened over their perceived support for Jamaat candidate Delwar Hossain. He further accused the BNP candidate's campaign of violating the election code by holding a meeting inside a mosque, using coloured campaign symbols; operating loudspeakers before the permitted time and organising free medical camps for voters. The party submitted photographs and other materials in support of its complaints, he said. Questioning the neutrality of the police, he argued that deploying large numbers of law enforcement personnel would not guarantee a credible election if they could not resist political pressure.  He urged the commission to deploy the army alongside police to ensure voter security and a fair polling environment. The party's three demands include an investigation into the allegations and legal action against those responsible, ensuring voter security, and deploying the army alongside police as necessary. The Jamaat leader also warned the authorities against repeating the circumstances of the controversial 1994 Magura by-election, which fuelled a broader political movement for a caretaker government system. Despite expressing concerns over the electoral environment, he said Jamaat had not decided to withdraw from the race and remained committed to contesting the by-election.