Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
BNP trying to save country, not harming it: Fakhrul
Trashing the Foreign Minister’s allegation of hiring lobbyists by their party to harm the country’s interests, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said they are only working to save the country from the grasp of ‘miscreants’.
"It’s clear that BNP hasn’t appointed any lobbyist. Hope, you (journalists) won’t have any confusion about it,” he said.
Read: New bill a plot to form another EC with loyal people: BNP
Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul also said what the Foreign Minister said about engaging lobbyists by BNP is a complete lie.
It was Fakhrul’s first appearance before the media since he along with his wife tested positive for Covid-19 on January 10.
"I would like to clearly say whatever we do we do to protect the country. This doesn’t mean we’ve hired lobbyists to save the country…I again say whatever we do we do it to protect the country from the hands of miscreants. But it’s not right at all that we’ve hired lobbyists,” he said.
Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the filing of ‘fictitious’ cases against their party leaders and activists and arresting them by the government has now become an order of the day.
“It seems to have become a routine exercise of the current government to file politically motivated fake and fictitious cases and arrest opposition leaders and activists, including those of BNP and its associate bodies, in a bid to remove them from politics,” he said.
In a statement, the BNP leader warned that aggrieved people can rush to the streets at any time to overthrow the present government.
The statement was issued protesting the arrest of two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders in Noakhali’s Senbagh Upazila on Sunday night.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP
Fakhrul said the current ‘authoritarian’ Awami League government, which ‘usurped’ power shamelessly through vote-rigging the night before the December-30 election, has now begun to rule the country in a completely fascist manner.
He alleged that the government has snatched the voting and democratic rights of millions of people by force to cling to power.
Fakhrul said BNP leaders and activists are being imprisoned with ‘false’ charges without any reason to turn Bangladesh into a country without any opposition party.
He said the arrest of two JCD leaders in Noakhali’s Senbagh Upazila is part of the government’s evil activities.
The BNP secretary general said the government has become ‘crazy’ to arrest and imprison the leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies in ‘fabricated’ cases to hush up its unprecedented failure to deliver on all fronts.
Also read: AL conspiring to rig votes again, alleges BNP
He said public resentment is now escalating as they want to eliminate all the misdeeds and misrule of the government.
The BNP leader demanded the government unconditionally release the arrested JCD leaders and withdraw the case filed against them immediately.
BNP trying to reach out to anti-govt parties to forge a greater unity
BNP has planned to forge a larger unity of anti-government political parties involving both the right and left quarters for launching a simultaneous movement “like the 90s” with a common demand for holding the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral government.
The party has already had sittings with some left parties informally, and received a positive signal for working on a common issue of polls-time neutral government based on some conditions, a BNP standing committee member told UNB wishing anonymity.
He said their last standing committee meeting discussed the issue with great importance and decided to hold talks with the most opposition political parties to take their suggestions and opinions about how to wage an effective movement to realise their demand ahead of the next national election.
BNP appreciates govt move to amend DSA
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday appreciated the government’s move to amend the Digital Security Act (DSA) saying the government has finally come to senses.
“I read in the newspaper that the Law Minister said there have been excesses in the Digital Security Act. After so many days, they (govt) have come to senses,” he said.
Speaking at a civic condolence meeting, he said BNP has long been repeatedly raising its voice against the DSA while the journalists have been on a movement against it.
He said the DSA has been harming the press freedom and creating a scope for repressing journalists alongside dashing the nation’s dreams of having a democratic system.
On December 30 last, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will amend the DSA if there is any discontent as the law has been abused and misused in some cases.
Read: Get ready for movement with shrouds on heads: BNP to followers
A faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club in memory of veteran journalist Reazuddin Ahmed who died of Covid-19 on December 25 last.
Fakhrul said the nation is passing through a very bad time and it has now become very difficult to protect one’s existence.
“Our chairperson Khaleda Zia is not even getting a scope for receiving treatment (abroad). It’s perhaps a normal matter in the current state or governing system created by Awami League,” he said.
The BNP leader, however, said they are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as people are waking up against the government.
Read: BNP not to join talks on EC formation
He said they have been reaching out to people in different districts by holding rallies demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad for a few days. “We’re observing that people are waking up through our programmes and mass contacts, generating hope among us.”
Fakhrul said people will surely be able to remove the current ‘monstrous’ government from power if they can strongly take to the streets and the journalists can write against it bravely.
He said the Awami League government has destroyed the soul of Bangladesh. “We must restore it…we’re extremely optimistic that we’ll be able to free Khaleda Zia and bring her back to the people by ensuring her proper treatment.”
Recalling late journalist Reazuddin Ahmed’s contributions to the country, he said he had played a role in people’s movements against autocrats. “He had made a great contribution at every crisis moment of the nation with courage.
Khaleda’s condition worsens again in hospital: Fakhrul
The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment in a city hospital with liver cirrhosis and other health complications, has deteriorated again.
“Madam’s (Khaleda’s) health condition has worsened again. Different parameters of her health are showing a downward trend from yesterday (Tuesday),” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
READ: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP’s rallies in 32 districts from Dec 22
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday, he also said Khaleda’s hemoglobin level is also dropping.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said there had been no internal bleeding of Khaleda until Tuesday.
He said they have long been demanding the government allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment but the government is paying no heed to it as there is no democracy and human rights in the country.
“The accountability to people is hampered at every step in a country that lacks democracy and which is now prevailing everywhere now in Bangladesh,” he said.
Fakhrul said people cannot enjoy human rights and personal security when democracy remains missing in any country. “The government’s obstruction to sending three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad is the latest example.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
READ: Documents regarding Khaleda's birthday submitted to HC
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq recently said the government is looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment.
Khaleda being deprived of human rights: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that their party’s ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia is being deprived of her human rights.
“Our party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister, is now being deprived of human rights and her minimum right to receive treatment,” he told a seminar.
Fakhrul also bemoaned that BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been forced to remain in exile by “unfairly’ convicting him in different cases by the current government.
BNP’s National Committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme at a city hotel marking the International Human Rights Day.
A book titled “Disenfranchisement under the Authorial Regime” was launched at the programme.
Many incidents of human rights violations in Bangladesh under the rule of the current government have been depicted in the book.
Some family members of the victims of the enforced disappearances joined the programme and expressed sorrow and agony for not being able to trace of their near and dear ones.
“The family members of the victims of enforced disappearances have shared their pains and ordeals here today (Friday). But we have been hearing their screams and that of their children for eight years. The children are still waiting to see when their fathers will return to them. We’re going through such a terrible and disturbing situation,” Fakhrul said.
He said human rights have been extremely violated in Bangladesh under the rule of the current government for lack of democracy.
“One thing is very clear that human rights and democracy are complimentary to each other. Without democracy, human rights can never be protected and without human rights democracy can never continue,” the BNP leader observed.
Referring to the statistics of different rights bodies, he said around 607 people were subjected to enforced disappearances while over 1,000 BNP leaders and activists were killed during the rule of the current government.
He said around 35 lakh leaders and activists of BNP have been implicated in many cases. “If you visit Dhaka or district courts you will find 90 percent of the total accused arrive there are BNP leaders and activists.”
Accusing the government of politicising the judiciary and administration, Fakhrul said the country’s people have no confidence in the judiciary as they are not getting any justice from there.
Read: Govt conspiring to "kill" Khaleda: Fakhrul
He said the government has snatched people’s rights to expression and established its full control over the media. “Those who now work for media have become helpless due to the Digital Security Act.”
The BNP leader called upon people of all works of life to forge strong national unity for the restoration of democracy in the country through a united movement.
Some foreign diplomats and the representatives of various international organisations joined the programme.
Ruling party’s demonstration
As BNP’s seminar began around 4pm at Lakeshore Hotel, a group of pro-ruling party activists under the banner of family members of the victims of BNP’s arson attacks and the victims of enforced disappearances and conspiracies during Zaiur Rahman’s regime gathered in front of the same hotel and staged a demonstration there.
They alleged that many incidents of serious human rights violations had taken place during Zia’s rule.
As long as the seminar continued, the demonstrators continued their protests standing on the footpath in front of the hotel.
BNP wants 90s-like unity of democratic forces to ‘oust’ govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged all the democratic forces to forge a strong unity like that of in the 90s to restore democracy by ousting the Awami League government.
"There’s no ground beneath the feet of the current government. We all now must unite against it. The movement in the 90s succeeded as all the democratic forces were united and they all together ensured the fall of the dictator, Ershad,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said now there is no alternative to forging unity among the democratic forces in the same way. “We’ve to unite all the democratic and patriotic forces to oust the current terrible fascist government through a fierce movement. “
Also read: BNP seeks junior minister Murad’s resignation, his apology
Pro-BNP student leaders of All-Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the Democracy Day commemorating the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990.
Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League government has no relation with democracy since it has taken a stand against the country’s people.
He said the government is trying to mislead people in various ways to divert their attention from the country’s problems to a different direction as it has become politically bankrupt.
Fakhrul said the ruling party demonstrated a poor show in the third pace of Union Parishad (UP) polls though BNP is not there in the election race.
He also congratulated a member of the transgender community who was elected chairman at Trilochanpur union of Kaliganj in Jhenaidah defeating the Awami League candidate during the third phase of the UP polls.
Stating that their party chief Khaleda Zia has been fighting for life at Evercare Hospital, Fakhrul said she is not yet allowed to go abroad to receive advanced treatment.
“Doctors are saying they’ve no more scope to treat her (Khaleda) since there’s no advanced medical centre in Bangladesh where such treatment is possible. It‘s only available in advanced medical centres abroad,” he said.
Also read: BNP to launch oust-govt movement seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad
The BNP leader said though the entire nation wants Khaleda to be sent overseas for treatment, the government is not letting her go there. “They (govt) are talking about the law. It’s the government, not the law, that is a barrier to taking her abroad.”
He said the government can allow the BNP chief to go abroad anytime under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedures.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy urged the government to clearly say whether it will allow Khaleda to go outside the country for treatment or not. “We need a straight answer.”
He warned that their party together with people will ensure the fall of the government through a strong movement, paving the way for Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
Khaleda’s condition now better though rebleeds: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia, diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, rebled on Monday.
Fakhrul, however, said her condition is now better than it was last night as doctors tackled the danger.
“Dr Zahid (Khaleda’s physician) phoned me last night (Monday night) and requested me to be at the hospital immediately…I went to Evercare Hospital around 12am and saw that the 10 doctors involved in Madam's treatment were very worried. I also got sacred,” the BNP leader told a rally.
Fakhrul said he wanted to know from the doctors what actually happened to the BNP chief. “They replied Madam suffered what we had feared (Khaleda rebled. By the grace of Allah, the doctors could overcome the crisis as they did it thrice earlier through their tireless efforts.”
Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
As part of its countrywide programme, BNP arranged the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office, demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
Fakhrul said Dr Zahid informed him this (Tuesday) morning that the BNP chief is now better than before. “But the doctors think the sign is not good at all. Because, they’ve clearly said there’s no treatment now here (Bangladesh) for the diseases she has been suffering from.”
He said doctors told them that the BNP chief must be sent abroad without further delay for her proper treatment.
Stating that Khaleda Zia has been fighting for life, the BNP leader bemoaned that a minister of the government said what the doctors narrated about Khaleda’s health condition at a press conference was taught by the BNP.
Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies joined the rally.
Similar rallies were held in eight other divisional cities to mount pressure on the government to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment.
Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
They also said Khaleda bled thrice and the third time bleeding was severe, impairing her liver function.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Sending Khaleda abroad essential for peace, stability: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said it is essential to send their party chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment for the sake of peace and stability in the country.
"We’re placing our demand peacefully. We’ve been repeatedly calling upon you (govt) to send her (Khaleda) abroad for treatment. We don’t understand where’s the problem? You’re talking about the law and giving its wrong interpretation,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, he also said their chairperson needs treatment abroad as there is no such advanced centre in the country to treat her. “No one, except our leader Khaleda Zia, can bring peace, stability and restore democracy in the country. So, send her abroad for treatment.”
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
About the BNP chief’s health condition, Fakhrul said she is still critically ill and doctors are working hard to save her life.
He said the government is not willing to allow Khaleda to go abroad as it fears she will again raise her voice against corruption, anti-people activities and work for establishing people’s rights returning home after her recovery from illness.
The BNP leader claimed that Khaleda was convicted in ‘false’ cases through staging a farce in the name of justice.
Fakhrul said there is no legal barrier for the government to send the BNP chief abroad for treatment. “As per section 401 (of the Criminal Code of Procedures) it is only the government which can send her overseas.”
He alleged that Law Minister Anisul Huq is confusing people by giving a ‘false’ explanation of section 401.
Also read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from liver, kidney and heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Khaleda might have been subjected to “slow-poisoning”: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday suspected that their party chairperson Khaleda might have been subjected to slow-poisoning during her stay in Old Dhaka Central Jail.
“As part of a plot hatched during the 1/11 changeover, she (Khaleda) was sent to jail by convicting her in false cases. She was kept for about two years in an abandoned damp building of the Old Dhaka’s Central Jail where rats used to run around,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, he said the BNP chief was later taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from the jail, but she was not given proper treatment there.
“Many people have this question now: was there any arrangement for slow-poisoning Khaleda Zia on that day? We want to know this clearly. Nothing is impossible for them (govt).”
Also read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul
He said it is possible to do anything bad for the government when it could assume power by indulging in ‘vote robbery’ the night before the voting day, filing false cases against 35 lakh people, gunning down and maiming the pro-democracy leaders and activists, and making disappear around 500 opposition leaders and activists.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding Khaleda's treatment abroad.
Fakhrul called upon all, including their party leaders and activists, to take to the streets to force the government to allow Khaleda to go abroad.
“Khaleda Zia is now fighting for her life. Shall we stay indoors? We must put in our all-out efforts to save her life,” he said.
The BNP leader warned that the consequences will be dire if the government does not allow Khaleda to go abroad. "Let's be united in a stronger way and intensify our movement.”
Fakhrul said doctors at Evercare Hospital are saying they have no more capacity to treat the BNP chief as her condition turned so much critical.
”They’ve clearly said she (Khaleda) needs to be sent abroad immediately for her treatment. But Sheikh Hasina (PM) does not want to pay heed to it out of her vengeance. She’s conspiring to eliminate Khaleda Zia’s life, not only to remove her from politics,” he said.
The BNP leader said they know there has been international pressure on the government to send Khaleda abroad, but the Prime Minister is not willing to do so.
Also read: Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.