Rizvi
BNP expels Khaleda Zia's adviser Ekramuzzaman, Abu Zafar over collecting nomination papers
BNP has expelled its chairperson’s adviser, Syed AK Ekramuzzaman, and National Executive Committee member Shah Md Abu Zafar as they are going to take part in Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary election.
A press release signed by party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Tuesday (November 28, 2023) that the action was taken against the duo for their involvement in "anti-party activities."
“On the basis of clear allegations of involvement in activities that go against the party's discipline, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Syed AK Ekramuzzaman and National Executive Committee member Shah Md Abu Zafar have been expelled from all posts at all levels of the party, including primary membership," the press release says.
Read: 12th Parliamentary elections: BNP chairperson's adviser collects nomination paper for Brahmanbaria-1 seat
Ekramuzzaman collected nomination paper on Monday to contest the national election from Brahmanbaria-1 (Nasirnagar) constituency.
BNP has already rejected the schedule for the 12th parliamentary election. It considers collecting nomination papers a "violation of party's discipline."
Ekramuzzaman contested the national election as an independent candidate in the 2001 election, and in the 2008 and 2018 elections as a BNP candidate, but he was never elected.
Meanwhile, BNP's National Executive Committee member Abu Zafar joined the newly registered party BNM (Bangladesh Nationalist Movement) on November 21 to take part in the upcoming election.
Read: BNP to enforce blockade Wednesday, hartal Thursday
BNP, like-minded parties to enforce 5th spell of 48-hour blockade from Wednesday
After giving a pause for a day, the BNP and like-minded parties will again enforce a 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade beginning from Wednesday (November 15, 2023) to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a virtual press briefing on Monday afternoon.
He said the other opposition parties, who have long been carrying out the simultaneous movement with BNP, also observe a similar programme.
Read: BNP-Jamaat's blockade: 189 BGB platoons deployed across the country
Rizvi said the blockade programme will be observed from 6am Wednesday to 6am Friday across the country. It will be the fifth phase of the blockade programme of the opposition parties.
The BNP leader said their ongoing blockade was successful with the spontaneous support of the country’s people.
He thanked the leaders and activists of BNP and like-minded parties to make the blockade programme a success.
The fresh agitation was announced around 14 hours before the end of the opposition’s 48-hour nationwide blockade that was enforced at 6am on Sunday. The ongoing blockade has been marked by widespread incidents of violence, including torching and vandalising vehicles.
Read: The ones bearing the brunt of blockades
BNP and other opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have been enforcing blockades across the country in fourth phases since Oct 31.
They also observed a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on Oct 29 in protest against the attacks on BNP’s grand rally at Nayapaltan that ended amid the incidents of torching vehicles and clashes, leaving three people dead.
Half an hour into the start of BNP's much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan on October 28, BNP leaders and workers locked in a clash with the ruling party activists and police at Kakrail. Soon violent clashes spread around Nayapaltan, foiling the rally midway.
Read more: Day 2 of 4th blockade called by BNP, Jamaat underway
Fire Service records 9 arson attacks in the country in 10 hrs
A total of nine arson attacks were reported across the country from 8 pm last night to 6 am today (November 12, 2023), according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
Of these, 7 arson attacks were reported in Dhaka’s Jatrabari, Gulistan, Gabtoli, near Notre Dame College, Rupnagar, Sutrapur and Mirpur areas, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell, this morning.
All the arson attacks in Dhaka were on buses ahead of the countrywide 48-hour blockade of roads, rail lines and waterways.
Read: Arsonists set fire to another bus in Dhaka's Mirpur
Moreover, the miscreants also set a pickup van and a bus on fire in Gazipur and Barishal respectively in the same period.
Supporters of BNP and its associate bodies brought out a procession in favour of the blockade this morning in Barishal city and they also burnt tyres on the streets.
Read: Fire Service records 15 arson incidents across country in 37 hrs till Thursday evening
At a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday called upon the country’s people and BNP supporters to observe the blockade and make it successful.
Read more: 13 arson incidents reported in 27 hours till this morning: Fire Service
Chinese envoy’s remark on polls doesn’t reflect people’s aspirations: BNP
BNP on Saturday (November 11, 2023) said the Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen’s recent comment on Bangladesh's next elections does not reflect the hopes and aspirations of people.
In a statement, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called upon China to shed light on the expectations of the people of Bangladesh and the issues relating to people’s interests.
“In fact, Ambassador Wen's comment that China wants to see the upcoming elections in Bangladesh as per the constitution does not reflect the will or aspirations of people,” he said.
The BNP leader said a large section of the people in Bangladesh have not had a chance to vote in the past ten years.
Read more: Our main goal is to hold fair and neutral vote: PM Hasina
“So, the country’s vast population wants a free, fair, inclusive and credible election not under the authoritarian Sheikh Hasina regime, but under a polls-time neutral government,” he said.
Rizvi said the Chinese ambassador's remarks come at a time when the entire nation in unison is demanding the installation of a polls-time impartial government by carrying out a peaceful movement in an effort to restore their voting rights and democratic values.
Earlier on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen addressing a programme said his country wants Bangladesh's elections to be held as per the constitution, and the relevant parties resolve their differences and maintain political and social stability.
Rizvi said Wen’s remark on the upcoming national election as per the constitution has attracted the attention of the BNP and the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh.
Read more: Chinese Ambassador hopes for stability after next election, continued cooperation with Bangladesh
“We welcome his concern about Bangladesh. At the same time, we would like to remind (him) that BNP, the party that introduced multi-party democracy and parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh, is always committed to the constitution, which is approved and accepted by people,” he said.
The BNP leader also said it is regrettable that the ‘illegitimate’ Awami League government changed the constitution through controversial amendments in an attempt to retain power.
He also said the well-accepted and widely praised caretaker government system, established on the basis of national consensus, was abolished by the ‘fascist’ Sheikh Hasina government with a nefarious political motive.
US says it takes any violence leading up to election in Bangladesh ‘incredibly seriously’
Rizvi said two consecutive ‘farcical’ national elections in 2014 and 2018 clearly proved that no elections are possible under Sheikh Hasina. “Because, theElection Commission, and an identified section from administration, judiciary and law enforcement forces play the role of accomplices in state-sponsored criminalisation in the name of election.”
Stating that Bangladesh and China have long established friendly relations based on trade, commerce, knowledge and other bilateral interests, he said BNP believes that diplomatic success lies in establishing relations between the people of the two countries.
Rizvi urged China to give importance to the desires and interests of the people of Bangladesh.
He said their party also expects the full support of the international community in the ongoing struggle of the people of Bangladesh for a free, fair and participatory election.“BNP also wants to restore the basic foundations of democracy, so that the rule of law, human rights, labour rights and freedom of expression are re-established in Bangladesh."
Read more: People to foil AL's move to hold another lopsided election: Rizvi
Cyber Security Act could be deadlier than DSA: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rahul Kabir Rizvi on Monday feared that the proposed Cyber Security Act could be deadlier than the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said the government has taken the move to transform the Digital Security Act as Cyber Security Act as an eyewash due to local and international pressure.
“I don't think anything good can come from the hands of a fascist regime when they are in power. We fear the Cyber Security Act will be more dire and dangerous than the Digital Security Act,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said the government has decided to replace the Digital Security Act with the Cyber Security Act 2023, in which some sections of the existing law will be amended.
Digital Security Act to be replaced by Cyber Security Act 2023
Rizvi said the country’s people now cannot express their opinion freely for the fear of being subjected to repression in jail and enforced disappearance.
“Now the right of assembly of political parties is at the discretion of the police. Voters have lost the right to bring their preferred party to power through a fair election. A subservient information system has been developed to falsify the truth constantly. Some sections of media are being used to spread misinformation and slander with the state patronage,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that the pro-democratic forces have been carrying out their fight for the restoration of democracy and their lost rights in the face of inhuman torture by the fascist regime.
TIB guardedly welcomes Cabinet’s decision to scrap DSA
He alleged that the existence of the rule of law, justice and human dignity has been gradually removed from the country through the naked politicisation of the state forces.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has so far arrested around 500 BNP leaders and activists centring BNP’s grand rally and sit-in programmes in the capital held on July 28 and 29 respectively.
Besides, he claimed that 820 opposition leaders and activists were injured by the ruling party ‘cadres’ and law enforcers in different parts of the country.
Imprisonment goes, fines to be main punishment for defamation: Law Minister
Rizvi said BNP leaders and workers have been harassed and repressed by police and intelligence agencies before and after July 28 and 29.
He said the law enforcers continued arresting the opposition leaders and activists by raiding their houses.
“A new dimension is being added to the incident of raiding the houses of BNP leaders and activists by the police and the detective police late at night. Family members are being picked up if leaders and workers are not found. Like the RAB, the detective police force has now become the epitome of terror as the force is now led by high officials loyal to Awami League,” Rizvi alleged.
Hero Alom to sue Rizvi for his ‘defamatory remarks’
Ashraful Alom, popularly known as “Hero Alom”, has threatened to file a case in connection with what he called the defamatory remarks made by BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on him.
Hero Alom came up with the information while talking to reporters after visiting the DB office on Sunday.
“I have visited the DB office to lodge a complaint against the BNP leader but the DB chief advised me to file a case with the court and that’s why I will go to the court” said Hero Alom.
On July 18, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi rebuked Hero Alom branding him ‘uneducated’ while addressing the march programme of BNP at Bhuban Mohon Shaheed Minar in Rajshahi.
‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’
"A political leader like him can’t say that I am ‘half mental’ and ‘uneducated’. I have participated in elections thrice and if I am half-mad the Election Commission would not allow me to contest the polls after scrutinizing,” he said.
“He said that I am uneducated but the chairperson of BNP studied up to class 8. The BNP leader just tarnished my image by uttering such comments,” said Hero Alom.
“Everyone thinks that I am an activist of the BNP but the BNP itself is talking against me. They just talked about me in a trivial way. Even the leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party have also spoken undermining me,” he said.
Man arrested for making death threat to Hero Alom
“Hero Alom does not work for any party and even though I am not involved in any party, why are you talking like that? No person has the right to abuse any person and brand anyone as half-mental and illiterate,” he added.
Contacted, Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) Police, Harun-or-Rashid, said “Hero Alom came to us in the past for several reasons including hacking his Facebook ID and attacking him during the Dhaka-17 election. But today he came to us to lodge a complaint with DB Cyber Crime Unit (North).”
“When Hero Alom came to us we saw that defamatory remarks had been made against him. So we advised him to go to the court as DB has no right to file a defamation case," said Harun.
However, he was also assured of investigating the incident.
Hero Alom demands re-election to Dhaka-17; appeals to EC
Rizvi condemns arrests of BNP leaders, activists ahead of tomorrow's rally
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (July 27, 2023) condemned the arrests of leaders and activists of BNP ahead of their grand rally tomorrow and demanded their immediate release.
According to a press release issued today, police arrested Mir Ashraf Ali, former commissioner of Ward 26 of Dhaka City Corporation and his son, Barrister Muntaha Ali, from their house on Wednesday night.
Countdown begins for govt's downfall, says BNP Leader Rizvi
"Ashraf Ali was seriously injured during the arrest, and his legs were broken," the press release says.
He is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in police custody, the release adds.
Law enforcers are being used to secure ruling party’s interests: Rizvi
Besides, at least 200 leaders and activists of BNP, including Shafiqul Haque Milan, a lawyer and the Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs Secretary of BNP central committee; Abdul Quddus Akon, Assistant Organizing Secretary of BNP; and Anwar Hossain Ujjal, former General Secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP, who came to Dhaka to attend tomorrow's rally, were arrested from different parts of the capital on Wednesday night, the press release says.
Police also raided the Midway Hotel and Victoria Hotel next to BNP's central office in Naya Paltan and arrested more than 300 leaders and activists who boarded there to attend the rally, the press release from the party says.
AL's instigation behind attacks on BNP rallies: Rizvi
Law enforcers are being used to secure ruling party’s interests: Rizvi
BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the law and order situation in the country has collapsed as the law enforcers are being used to secure the ruling party’s interests.
Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also bemoaned that at least 35 people lost their lives in road accidents during the Eid holidays only because of the negligence of the law enforcers.
“The entire nation is suffering from insecurity as the armed terrorists are on the prowl amid the silent role of law enforcement agencies who are used in partisan activities,” the BNP leader said.
AL's instigation behind attacks on BNP rallies: Rizvi
He regretted that not only the common people but also the police members are being killed since the country has been turned into a safe haven for terrorists.
“A member of police force was killed in a snatching incident yesterday (Saturday). Law and order situation has broken down so much that people's lives are in danger at every step,” Rizvi observed.
He said though many people are getting killed in road accidents daily, the law enforcers can not take any action against the reckless drivers.
PM’s Switzerland tour 'very mysterious': Rizvi
The BNP leader said the ruling party-backed spoiled youth are creating public nuisance and indulging in various crimes across the country amid the growing social degradations.
“These monsters are not sparing anyone, including the women, from their attacks…we’re passing through such a bad time that youth are being killed for seeking justice when their sisters are teased. Parents are losing their lives in the hands of terrorists while trying to save the chastity and dignity of their daughters,” he said.
Referring to media reports, the BNP said a notorious gang named ‘009’ in Bhalo has been indulging in dreadful acts and serious crimes creating a reign of terror there.
“Human rights are now at stake everywhere. Darkness of anarchy has descended on the society since the law enforcers have been used only to thwart the programmes of the opposition parties by carrying out violent attacks and arresting the opposition leaders and activists in false cases,” Rizvi said.
Opposition increasingly suppressed as election nears: Rizvi
The BNP leader slammed the government for its failure to monitor the market and prevent the business syndicates from unusually hiking the prices of essential goods and kitchen items. “The godfathers, mafia and syndicates are making gains all around. This syndicate is very powerful as various ministers and influential ruling party leaders are involved,” he said.
The BNP leader said the price of per kg green chili is Tk25 in India, but it is being sold in Bangladesh at Tk600 only because of the foul play by the syndicate. “In some places, it is being sold from Tk1100-1200 per kg. Such syndication is possible only under a corrupt and mischievous regime. They make fun of people's hunger.”
Nayapaltan clash: 445 BNP activists including Rizvi, Annie sent to jail, 2 get bail
A Dhaka court on Thursday sent 445 BNP leaders and activists to jail in two cases filed over Wednesday’s clash with police that left one person dead and 50 injured.
Party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Publication Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie were among the top leaders who were sent to jail, pending further legal procedures.
Meanwhile, the court granted bail to BNP’s Dhaka North Convener Aman Ullah Aman and National Executive Committee member Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain passed the order after police produced the them before court on Thursday and sought remand for seven days to interrogate them.
Read more: Nayapaltan clash: Over 3000 BNP activists, others sued
Besides, the court placed 23 BNP leaders and activists on a two-day remand.
BNP’s Co-Climate Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Co-Organizational Secretary Seluzzaman Selim, BNP Dhaka district President Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, BNP leaders Shahjahan, AKM Aminul Islam, Wakil Ahmed , Sajeen Bhuiyan, Sarwar Hossain Sheikh, Saidul Iqbal Mahmud, Mizanur Rahman, Al Amin, Saiful, Shuvo Farazi and Mahmud Hossain Rony, are among the people remanded.
AL-backed syndicates make Eid holidaymakers suffer with extortion, harassment: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday alleged that the Eid holidaymakers are facing many ordeals while travelling to their village homes due to anarchy in the transport sector fueled by ruling party-backed syndicates.
"People from the metropolitan cities are returning to villages to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. But the anarchy in transport fares fueled by the government syndicates and the limitless misery on the roads are spoiling the joy of the Eid holidaymakers," he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP's Nayapaltan Central Office, Rizvi also said the Awami League's transport and ticket syndicates have become active during Eid to make quick bucks.
Read: AL can’t earn people’s trust even with 1000 Padma bridges: BNP
He said the transport syndicates are charging two-three times extra fares from the homebound people ahead of Eid. "The ruling party's influential leaders get a share of this money. Extortion, traffic jams and harassment continue on the roads and highways for a lack of monitoring."
The BNP leader also slammed the government for public suffering caused by frequent power outages. "Why are we now experiencing horrible load-shedding during the tenure of this government which could produce surplus electricity?"
After lighting the Padma Bridge with so many lights, Rizvi said, the ministers are now saying that the wedding ceremonies should be finished by 7pm without any illumination.
It is now being recommended to cut the office hours due to the power crisis, he added. "So, there's no doubt that the country is heading for bankruptcy like Sri Lanka."
Read: Country heading for deep economic crisis: BNP warns
The BNP leader also said when people are struggling to cope with skyrocketing prices of daily essentials, the government has increased the price of water by 5 percent. "The state minister for power already said the price of fuel oil will go up. Earlier, the prices of electricity and gas were increased."
He alleged that the ruling party leaders are indulging in corruption in every sector, leaving people in misery. "The country is now under the grasp of the ruling party quarters."
The BNP leader called upon the people to get united to save the country and establish a pro-people government through a strong street movement.