Politics
People will turn around to restore rights as Language Movement teaches them not to bow down: Jamiruddin Sircar
Dhaka, Feb 20 (UNB) – BNP leader Jamiruddin Sircar on Tuesday stressed the need for his party to carry out a grassroots campaign to reach out to common people across the country as a means to restore democracy.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, he also expressed high hope that people will turn around to establish their rights as the Language Movement of 1952 teaches people not to bow their heads.
“We have to now go door to door of the people and say together, BNP means peace, democracy, and the development of common people. Inshallah, democracy will return to the country," the BNP leader said.
Sircar, a BNP standing committee member and a former speaker of the national parliament, said the country is destined to descend into chaos due to the absence of democracy and the rule of law.
He said the BNP and the leaders and workers of the party have long been going through a tough time since they have working to establish democracy and people’s rights.
BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day which will be observed across the country on Wednesday with due respect.
Sircar said the Language Movement was not a traditional movement as it was an ideological movement.
He said the Language Movement was a democratic movement in protest against Pakistanis' efforts to impose Urdu as the state language instead of Bengali.
"The Language Movement led to the attainment of Bangladesh's independence. This Language Movement teaches us that we will realise our rights...we won’t bow down. We must be allowed to raise our voice and our rights must be ensured,” the BNP leader said.
Another BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said Bangali is the only nation who has sacrificed lives, shed blood, and fought for their mother language. “Sacrificing lives for the mother language Bangla was the best example in the past century.”
He said Pakistanis gave Bangalis a Shaheed Minar by brutally killing those who launched the Language Movement on February 21, 1952. “But it has now become a situation of creating Shaheed Minar in every house in Bangladesh thanks to Sheikh Hasina.”
The BNP leader alleged that their party’s several thousand leaders and workers were subjected to murder and enforced disappearance while thousands of others were subjected to repression and harassment by the Awami League regime.
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said Bangladesh was liberated to establish democracy. “Almost 53 years after the independence of the country, now we have reached a critical juncture where democracy is dead in Bangladesh.”
“Let’s come forward to bring back the rights of the people and establish the government of the people. The basic rights of people must be restored in the country. That's why we were on the streets, are on the streets, will be on the streets."
‘Why would we obstruct if they organize peaceful programs?’ – Obaidul Quader says
The government will not impede peaceful protests organized by the BNP; however, a strict warning was issued by Obaidul Quader, Awami League’s General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges minister, highlighting that any introduction of violent elements into these movements would lead to governmental intervention.
He disclosed this information during a press conference held this afternoon at the Awami League President’s office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The minister stated that if the movement incorporates violent activities, terrorism, or arson, obstructions will be inevitable. “Why would we obstruct if they organize peaceful programs?” he questioned.
Regarding the current political agenda of the BNP, the AL leader commented that blaming the government is the main issue of opposition politics in Bangladesh. He criticized the opposition for accusing the government of any and every crime and even complaining to the United States. “BNP leader Moin Khan has complained to the US Embassy about the lack of human rights and democracy in the country. This is the state of our main opposition party,” he said.
On the claim of BNP leaders that the Awami League lost and BNP won the election, Quader stated, “Everyone knows who won the election. Did the BNP win without participating in it? It’s nothing but the raving of a lunatic.”
Responding to journalists’ questions about the clash of the Chhatra League at the University of Chittagong, Obaidul Quader mentioned, “Actions are being taken, and new considerations are being made. The party has decided to be as strict as necessary to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”
Present at the press conference were Awami League’s Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haq, SM Kamal Hossain, Mirza Azam, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapon, among other central leaders of the Awami League.
Fakhrul meets Khaleda following release from jail
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who walked out of jail four days back, met party Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday night.
Fakhrul went to Khaleda’s Gulshan residence at around 8:10pm and had a more than hour-long meeting with the party chief, BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.
In diminished health, Fakhrul advised to rest at Gulshan residence by BSH specialist
As the BNP secretary general was freed from jail after a long time, he paid a courtesy call to Khaleda, Sayrul added.
He said Fakhrul left Khaleda’s residence after the meeting around 9:30 pm.
Movement will continue to restore democracy, says Fakhrul after release from jail
Earlier on February 15, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury were freed from jail on bail after nearly three and a half months of their arrest before the 12th parliamentary election.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Dhaka court granted bail to both Fakhrul and Khasru in connection with a case filed over the vandalism of the chief justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28 last year.
Fakhrul, Khasru freed from jail on bail
The case was filed by the police on October 29, accusing 59 BNP leaders and activists, including Fakhrul and Khasru.
In total, 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 against Khasru related to the violence during the rally. Fakhrul was detained on October 29, and Khasru on November 3, both from their residences in Gulshan.
Publish names of loan defaulters: Left Democratic Alliance
Leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) on Monday demanded the central bank publish the names involving loan defaults of over Tk 1 crore and disclose the process of getting such loans.
They made the demand at a rally in front of the Bangladesh Bank on Monday.
LDA rally in front of Press Club Monday to protest bank looting, money laundering
They also demanded the Bangladesh Bank investigate the allegations of money laundering and publish details.
The LDA initially organised a protest rally in front of the National Press Club and marched towards the central bank. They stopped there and rallied.
LDA’s half-day strike against price hike passed almost peacefully
The rally, in front of the Press Club, was presided over by LDA coordinator and General Secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Ruhin Hossain Prince.
Economist Prof MM Akash, CPB President Mohammad Shah Alam, BASAD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Revolutionary Communist League Leader Abdus Sattar, BASAD (Marxist) Coordinator, Masud Rana, Democratic Revolutionary Party General Secretary Moshrafa Mishu and Samajtantrik Party Executive President Abdul Alin spoke in front of the Bangladesh Bank.
Three 'injured' as cops charge batons on LDA protest rally in Shahbag
CPB leader Sajedul Haque Rubel moderated the rally.
Economist Akash said that private sector cannot be developed “by conniving with looters.”
He said that the government is taking different measures to downplay the amount of the default loans. But it does not change the situation, he said.
“Defaulted loans continue to rise. Through such efforts (of the government) the real criminals are being saved”, he said.
He said that the source of power of the defaulters is the support of the ruling party. Now they are getting continuous support of the ruling party, he added.
He demanded that authorities publish the list of loan defaulters and take action against them by severing their electricity and water lines.
Ruhin Hossain Prince said that the Bangladesh Bank cannot avoid the responsibility of mismanagement of the country's financial sector.
Prince called upon the central bank to be independent and act beyond party influence.
He urged the central bank to make the information open and transparent.
PM's appearance at MSC 2024 highlights Bangladesh's importance
Awami League General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader commented that the Prime Minister's invitation to the Munich Security Conference 2024 along with her speech delivered there highlights the importance of Bangladesh.
He made this comment at a press conference at the Awami League president's office in Dhanmondi in the capital today.
Obaidul Quader said that a general election has been held in Bangladesh where a section of the outside world was also critical of this election.
"Still today, in this crisis, it highlights the importance of Bangladesh to be invited and participate in important speeches on sensitive issues like security. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave a strong speech against war, in favor of peace. Any leader could not show this courage before the most forceful statement Stop Genocide in Gaza," he also said.
Read: Obaidul Quader labels BNP ‘primary source of extremism’
Criticising the allegation against Awami League that it has hurt the ideology and sovereignty of the country and liberation war, Quader said anyone who has conscience can't utter this. It is the incoherent delirium of a madman.
Saying that lies are eternal in BNP politics, he said lying is essential in their politics. This is a continuation of their usual lies.
The price of goods is increasing, the government has failed to control the syndicate - BNP's complaint about the minister said that the opposition party has nothing left. Even they have no leaders and activists. So they are trying to talk about the issue to draw attention.
Obaidul Quader said that the prices of some items have increased, while the prices of some others are decreasing. Market fluctuations are always there.
Read: Quader suggests BNP make preparations for next election instead of next movement
"The government has not shown any indifference here as commodity prices are rising due to global response. Every concerned department is doing everything possible to control," he said.
Obaidul Quader said in response to the questions of journalists about the tension along the border with Myanmar, Bangladesh is always awake to protect the border. As a result of the instability prevailing in Myanmar, there may be security risks along the border.
"So we are ready for this. We have preparations," he assured.
Regarding air pollution in Dhaka city, the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges said that the Minister of Forests and Environment and Climate Change Affairs is working hard to prevent air pollution. He has already taken some steps.
BNP chalks out 2-day programme to mark February 21
BNP announced a two-day programme on Monday to observe the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect on February 21.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
February 21 will be observed simultaneously as Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day on Wednesday in recognition of the nation’s supreme sacrifice to the cause of their mother tongue. In 1999, UNESCO declared the 21st of February as the International Mother Language Day.
As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Tuesday, marking the day.
He said they will keep their party and national flags at half-mast and hoist black flags at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office at 6 am on February 21.
Read: AL wants to ban opposition parties: Dr Moyeen
The leaders and activists of the party will also gather in front of Balaka Cinema Hall at Nilkhet at 6m wearing black badges the same day. Later, they will first offer fateha at the graves of Language Movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard and then go to the Central Shaheed Minar to pay tributes to the martyrs.
Besides, BNP’s different units across the country will also observe the day with due respect through various programmes.
Rizvi said the nation is going to observe the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day when they are deprived of their rights
“The voters of this country now can’t cast their votes and the people of this country can’t sleep at home without fear...Numerous leaders and workers of numerous nationalist forces can't stay at their villages and homes with their wives, sons, daughters or with their fathers and mothers,” he said.
The BNP leader said their many party leaders and workers are now driving auto-rickshaws and even pulling rickshaws to make a living.
Read: AL-govt set a new precedent in usurpation: BNP
In this circumstance, he said the sacrifices of the martyrs of February 21, 1952, will encourage the country’s people to continue their struggle to restore their rights, bring back democracy. “It will also give us courage to return people's ownership of the country to them and establish the rule of law, freedom of expression and the rule of people."
Raushon announces JP's national council to be held Mar 9
Amid escalating internal discord within the party, Jatiya Party's Chief Patron Raushan Ershad, who earlier declared herself its chairman, announced on Sunday that the party's national council will be held on March 9.
She came up with the announcement at a press conference at her Gulshan residence, saying the move was taken to reorganise the party and come out of the extreme disaster it faces now.
Speaking at the press conference, Raushon, the widow of the party founder HM Ershad, said the main area of practising democracy in a political party is holding the regular national council of the party.
Raushon Ershad returns home, calls for JP unity
“The term of organising the party’s council has expired long ago…as per the demands of the leaders and workers of the party, I am announcing to hold the 10th council of Jatiyo Party in March,” she said.
To ensure the successful completion of the event, Raushon mentioned the formation of a council implementation committee, with Kazi Feroz Rashid as the convener, Syed Abu Hossain Babla as the co-convener, Golam Sarwar Milon as the joint-convener, and Safiqul Islam Sentu as the member secretary.
Li Jiming pays farewell call on Raushon
Ahead of the January 7 election, a new split emerged in the Jatiya Party over the nominations of party candidates to contest the national polls. Raushon, the leader of the opposition party in the last parliament, did not participate in the election due to a disagreement with her brother-in-law and party chief GM Quader.
The party also reportedly did not nominate any leaders loyal to Raushon.
In the circumstances, Raushon expressed her determination to restore strength to the Jatiya Party through a successful council.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader relieved the party’s co-chairman Syed Abu Hossain Babla from the party apparently for lending his support to Raushon.
The action was taken against Babla by issuing a press release by Mahmud Alam, joint office secretary of the GM-Kader-led Jatiya Party, soon after Raushon's announcement to hold the council.
GM Quader also removed earlier some party senior leaders, including co-chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid and presidium member Sunil Suvho Roy from the party following a conflict with Roshan Ershad over the leadership of the Jatiya Party.
Earlier on January 28, Raushon Ershad declared herself as the chairman of the party, relieving the current party chief and secretary general from their posts, amid growing resentment among the party rank and file over its debacle in this month’s parliamentary election.
She also appointed Jatiya Party praesidium member Kazi Mamunur Rashid as the secretary general of the party.
Raushon made the decision at a views-exchange meeting in her Gulshan residence with a section of the party leaders who were relieved or voluntarily resigned from the party recently.
“According to Article 20-1 of the party's constitution, I have relieved GM Quader and Mujibul Haque Chunnu from the posts of party Chairman and Secretary General respectively at the request of the party leaders and workers to overcome the ongoing crisis (within the party)," she said justifying her move.
AL wants to ban opposition parties: Dr Moyeen
BNP senior Leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Sunday alleged that the ruling Awami League wants to ban the opposition parties in the country to further consolidate its power.
"The Awami League has exerted control over both the judiciary and parliament in its quest to perpetuate power. They now want to obliterate opposition parties. This is the mentality of Awami League,” he said.
Talking to reporters on the grave site of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Moyeen also said, “The bottom line is that this regime wants to ban the opposition parties in the country since it does not believe in democracy.”
Unlike the Awami League, he claimed that the BNP does politics for the people of the country instead of only going to power. “The movement we have been carrying out for the past one and a half years is only for establishing a government of people in the country. “We’re not greedy for power."
He said their party’s objective is to bring a change in power so that the people of Bangladesh can regain real ownership of the country in their own hands.
Moyeen, a former minister and a BNP standing committee member, said the people of Bangladesh have not given the right to any political party to loot public money, amass wealth and resources and build posh areas and second homes abroad. “Bangladesh has not become independent for that reason."
Earlier, the leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal, led by Moyeen Khan, paid homage to Zia by placing wreaths at his grave, marking the 44th founding anniversary of the associate body of BNP.
They also offered a mujajat there praying for the salvation of Zia’s departed soul.
About the 12th parliament election, Moyeen asserted that the results were predetermined, with the government preselecting winners for each seat before the January 7 election day. “That's why the people of the country boycotted the election."
He said there is no democracy in this country as the government has usurped power snatching the voting rights of people. “Even, the major international media outlets and magazines are saying that Bakshal-2 has been established in Bangladesh.”
The BNP leader also said the attack on the BNP's 'peaceful' rally on October 28 by the members of the law enforcement agencies was a crackdown on opposition parties by the government.
“This is what the international world media said. Through the crackdown, the government has once again snatched the voting rights of the people of this country. So, the parliament and the government formed (through the January 7 polls) do not represent the people," he observed.
In this transitional period of the country, Dr Moyeen said their party has been carrying out the movement for the restoration of democracy.
The BNP leader said the people liberated the country through a bloody war to establish democracy and the economic emancipation of the poor and to get rid of autocracy and exploitation by the Pakistanis.
“The Awami League government has undermined the main spirit of the country's Liberation War as it erased democracy and snatched the right to vote," he said.
In diminished health, Fakhrul advised to rest at Gulshan residence by BSH specialist
With a fragile health condition and various symptoms of illness, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday visited a doctor at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital (BSH) in Shyamoli.
Professor Shamsul Arefin, a specialist in the gastroenterology department of the hospital, prescribed him the necessary medicines and asked him to receive the treatment staying in his Gulshan residence, said BNP Vice-Chairman Dr AZM Zhaid Hossain.
“The BNP Secretary General was sick while in prison. He has lost nearly 6 kilograms of weight and developed various symptoms,” Zahid said.
He said Fakhrul went to the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital where Professor Shamsul Arefin examined his health condition and provided him with the necessary medication.
“His physical condition is now stable and he is being treated at home. He will have to visit the hospital again next Thursday for follow-up treatment.
Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury were freed from jail on bail after nearly three and a half months of their arrest before the 12th parliamentary election.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Dhaka court granted bail to both Fakhrul and Khasru in connection with a case filed over the vandalism of the chief justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28 last year.
The case was filed by the police on October 29, accusing 59 BNP leaders and activists, including Fakhrul and Khasru.
In total, 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 against Khasru related to the violence during the rally. Fakhrul was detained on October 29, and Khasru on November 3, both from their residences in Gulshan.
AL-govt set a new precedent in usurpation: BNP
BNP senior leader Selima Rahman on Saturday alleged that the government did not stop at humiliating Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, and it has now occupied his business institutions.
“People see their (govt’s) tyranny and how Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus' institutions are being encroached upon. They have humiliated him... Now, his telecom and other institutions have been completely usurped,” she said.
Speaking at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader also said the tyranny of the current Awami League government is all-pervasive since it has set a new precedent in usurpation.
Selima, a BNP standing committee member, also said the ruling party men are indulging in rape and crimes against humanity.
“You have heard about the (rape) incident at Jahangirnagar University. Newspapers are reporting how women are being oppressed and harassed every day,” she said.
Stating that the women sacrificed a lot during the country’s Liberation War, the BNP leader bemoaned that mothers are now being raped and harassed there in this country. “There is no remedy while irregularities are everywhere.”
Selima said the repressed women and oppressed people don’t get cooperation from people and justice from the judiciary due to the politicization of the state apparatus.
Bangladesh Nagorik Odhikar Andolon organised the rally demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, standing committee member Mirza Abbas and other jailed opposition leaders, and protesting the growing price hikes in daily essential commodities.
Selima said the country’s people are going through a tough time to cope with the skyrocketing prices of all commodities.
She also slammed the government for its inaction to lower the soaring prices of the commodities by controlling the business syndicate.
The BNP leader called upon the people from all walks of life to take to the streets to establish a pro-people government by ousting the current “fascist’ regime.
BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu said Bangladesh's only Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus's building is being occupied by the pro-government people. “He (Muhammad Yunus) himself said he was not getting any cooperation from the police.
He also said the prices of essential items will not go down until the current government remains in power. “I can guarantee that the people of this country will be in danger because of the current fragile economic condition.
The BNP leader said the government is going to destroy the country's economy after ruining the country’s politics, election system and state machinery.