United News of Bangladesh

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser ,South, of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and MP from Cumilla-4, has said that the Awami League (AL) has no right to engage in politics in Bangladesh. “A party whose top leaders flee the country leaving behind millions of its leaders and activists has no right to do politics in this country,” he said. “We may have differences among ourselves, but we are united on the issue of the Awami League. The party will never be allowed to do politics in Bangladesh again.” Home Minister admitted ‘political hypocrisy’, Law Minister misled parliament: Hasnat Abdullah He made the remarks while addressing a procession and roadside rally as the chief guest at Chauddagram Bazar in Cumilla on Monday. Hasnat Abdullah said, “We have no houses or cars in Begumpara, but many of our elders own houses and vehicles there. Their children study abroad and go overseas for treatment. While ordinary people receive treatment in the country, some ‘special’ individuals go abroad. We must come out of this discriminatory system.” He also stressed the need to build an unemployment-free Bangladesh by engaging the youth in productive work. “Merit must be ensured in every government sector. At the same time, employment opportunities should be created in the private sector, and the SME sector must be made more dynamic. These demands should be included in the upcoming budget. The country’s education system also needs modernisation,” he added. Referring to the current political and administrative situation, he said, “We are now in the opposition. Some overenthusiastic police personnel, in hopes of promotion, are assaulting and harassing leaders and activists. However, this is not solely the fault of the police. The police administration must be kept free from political influence. In the past, people were arrested for posts on social media, and the same situation still exists. We do not want such a Bangladesh.” Describing Chauddagram as a border area, he said, “Those involved in drug trafficking are enemies of the country and the nation. They are destroying the youth. The police and drug traders cannot coexist. A zero-tolerance policy must be adopted against drug dealers.” The event was chaired by Abu Sufian Raihan, organising secretary of Jatiya Jubo Shakti’s Cumilla division, and moderated by Mamun Mazumder, joint convener of Chauddagram upazila NCP. Besides, leaders from various levels, also spoke.

The United Nations Women on Sunday expressed concern with the Election Commission (EC) over the low participation of women in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 last. The issue came up during a meeting between a delegation of UN Women, led by its Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. “They shared some experiences regarding the recently held election and also wanted to know from us how women’s participation in elections could be increased,” EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters after the meeting. He said the EC also informed that seven women won the election through direct votes but there were many other women candidates in the polls. The issue of women participation depends on the availability of winnable female candidates, he added. The EC Secretary said the total number of women lawmakers has finally stood at 57 including 50 females elected from reserved seats. “We expect the women’s representation to be higher in local government elections,” he added. About the gender gap in voter registration, Akhtar Ahmed said the difference between male and female voters in the electoral rolls had previously stood at around three million, but it has been reduced to 1.8 million now. “We are continuing efforts to reduce this gap further,” said the EC Secretary. The EC also informed the UN Women delegation that the latest parliamentary election was conducted without violence and no incidents of ballot box snatching were reported, he said. The delegation members include Christine Arab, Regional Director, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Gitanjali Singh, Representative, UN Women Bangladesh; and Navanita Sinha, Deputy Representative, UN Women Bangladesh.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam on Saturday alleged that a former adviser to the interim government had pushed Dhaka city “18 years backwards in 18 months.” “One of the loudest voices on environmental issues in Bangladesh was an adviser in the last interim government. But he ruined the environment and pushed Dhaka city back by 18 years in just 18 months,” he said. He made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled “Integrated Environmental Management: Forests, Environment, Rivers and Urbanisation,” organised by BNP at the Abdus Salam Hall of the Jaitya Press Club in the capital. State Minister for Forests, Environment and Climate Affairs Sheikh Faridul Islam attended the programme as a special guest. Speaking as the chief guest, Abdus Salam said implementation of environmental and urban management plans is far more difficult than making statements. “Talking is easy, implementation is difficult. But our leader, the honourable Prime Minister, does not consider anything difficult. He tries to implement everything practically and has already taken many initiatives,” he said. He blamed the interim government for worsening traffic congestion and the uncontrolled expansion of street hawkers in the capital. “Today’s traffic jams and the severe hawker congestion are creations of their tenure,” he said. The DSCC administrator stressed the need to act based on expert opinions to protect Bangladesh from future environmental disasters. “If we fail to take measures based on expert recommendations, tougher times are waiting ahead for us,” he warned. He also urged all political parties and citizens to unite on environmental and urban management issues. Speaking about pollution in Dhaka, Salam acknowledged that city corporations bear responsibility but said ordinary citizens are also accountable. “If citizens were more aware of their responsibilities, many of these problems could have been reduced,” he said. Highlighting the looming dengue and chikungunya risks ahead of the monsoon, Salam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had repeatedly instructed authorities to take preventive measures in advance. He said DSCC has launched a 15-day survey programme to identify mosquito breeding hotspots across the city. Describing a recent inspection, Salam said he personally found mosquito larvae growing in stagnant rainwater inside broken television casings and utensils at a veterinary hospital compound near Nagar Bhaban. “I told the hospital director that if the larvae remain there for two more days, they will turn into mosquitoes and spread dengue. Later, people will blame the city corporation for not spraying medicine, while they themselves are maintaining mosquito factories inside their homes,” he said. He stressed that public awareness is the key to transforming Dhaka. “If people are not made aware, then not even in 25 years will change be possible,” he said, adding that he believes Dhaka’s appearance can be transformed within two years if citizens cooperate. He criticised Dhaka’s unplanned urbanisation, saying the city was originally designed for only a few lakh residents during the Pakistan era but now accommodates nearly two crore people. “Residential areas like Wari, Basabo and Dhanmondi have all turned commercial,” he said. He also blamed land grabbers and road transport mafias for damaging waterways and rail connectivity, increasing pressure on roads and worsening environmental conditions. “If we could reduce pressure on roads by improving river and rail transport, the environmental situation would improve significantly,” he said. Salam said public participation is essential to keeping Dhaka clean and liveable. “Fifty percent responsibility belongs to the city corporation and the other 50 percent belongs to citizens,” he said. BNP’s Environment and Forest Affairs Secretary Mohammad Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul chaired the programme. Professor Dr Mahmudul Islam presented the keynote paper. Researchers, urban planners and experts related to environment and forestry also attended the event.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Sunday alleged that activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, operating under the banner of “general students,” created a confrontational situation at the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) campus. The student wing of BNP also condemned and protested what it described as a “planned conspiracy.” According to JCD, Chhatra Shibir has been trying to destabilise the university in line with its political agenda. DUET students block road for 2nd day rejecting new VC In a press release, the organisation said Prof Dr Mohammad Iqbal has recently been appointed Vice-Chancellor of DUET. He previously served as a professor at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. However, immediately after his appointment, some Shibir-affiliated activists at DUET, posing as general students launched protests and road blockades demanding the cancellation of the appointment and insisting that the VC be appointed from within DUET, the statement said. JCD said appointing vice-chancellors from outside institutions is a common practice in many higher educational institutions but the issue is being deliberately used to create instability on the DUET campus. The organisation also alleged that the previous DUET administration had faced various accusations, including lack of transparency, partisanship, unethical practices and arbitrary recruitment. Now the outgoing administration and the covert organisation Chhatra Shibir are jointly trying to destabilise the university according to their political agenda, the statement said. JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir condemned and protested the activities. They also demanded that those responsible for the “undesirable incident” at the DUET campus be identified and brought to justice through the university administration and law enforcement agencies.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former state minister and noted industrialist Mizanur Rahman Sinha. In a condolence message, the Speaker prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members. He also expressed his heartfelt condolences and shared the grief of the family at this difficult time. Mizanur Rahman Sinha, former State Minister for Health and Family Welfare and a BNP leader, died at a Singapore hospital early Saturday at the age of 83.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and leader of the opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday questioned what he described as widespread “political grabbing” across all sectors, directing sharp criticism at the BNP over allegations of corruption, politicisation and governance failures. “Why is political grabbing happening everywhere with brute force?” he asked while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party opposition alliance at the historic Madrasa ground in Rajshahi. The rally was held demanding implementation of the referendum verdict, easing public suffering and fair share of the Padma River waters. Referring to alleged partisan appointments at Bangladesh Bank, Shafiqur Rahman said, “You could not even keep the central bank of the country properly. You have appointed an incompetent, partisan person there.” He also accused the BNP leadership of failing to curb corruption, saying, “Your leader once said he would crush corruption. But you came to power and said if something is taken through negotiation, it is not extortion. I strongly condemn it.” “Your identity used to be the nationalist party. Now people call you the extortion party,” he said, adding that corruption and extortion were spreading across the country. The Jamaat chief said citizens must stand as “true guardians” against injustice. “This country has 200 million people. We all must stand as protectors. No one will hand over rights to us out of mercy; we must fight for them,” he said. He also criticised alleged politicisation in public universities, saying competent administrators were being replaced by “loyal but unqualified” individuals, which he described as a “mockery of the nation.” Shafiqur Rahman also raised concerns over water-sharing issues, blaming upstream interventions for the drying of rivers including the Padma and Teesta. “The Padma becomes a desert in the dry season and a source of suffering in the monsoon,” he said, while urging effective implementation of the proposed Padma Barrage and Teesta master plan. He further commented on regional relations, saying Bangladesh respects neighbouring countries but opposes discrimination against Muslims. “We do not want division or unrest based on religion, but we see harassment of people based on identity,” he said, calling on the international community to act on humanitarian concerns. Describing Bangladesh as a country of religious harmony, he said all citizens must enjoy equal rights regardless of faith. He also alleged economic mismanagement, saying banks and financial institutions had been “looted” and unemployment was rising. “If a nation keeps looking only 55 years into the past, it cannot move forward,” he said, urging focus on development and river management. Shafiqur Rahman also reiterated demands for implementation of the Teesta master plan and restoration of river navigability, warning of continued political movement both in parliament and on the streets if demands were ignored. The rally was presided over by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Rajshahi regional chief Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan. Leaders and activists of the 11-party alliance attended the programme.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday called for national unity crossing all political lines to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of water from the Ganges and other common rivers with India. “Now the question has arisen whether the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement will be renewed or not. This is not for any party, any individual or any government,” he said. “In the interest of the nation, the country and the people, all political parties must unite to secure our rightful share of Ganges water and the water of other rivers,” he added. Mirza Fakhrul mourns death of former state minister Mizanur Rahman Sinha He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by Bhashani Janashakti Party marking Maulana Bhashani’s historic Farakka Long March Day at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. Fakhrul said the Ganges Treaty, also known as the Farakka Treaty, must be renewed immediately. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan attended the programme as the keynote speaker, while Bhashani Janashakti Party and Bhashani Followers’ Council Chairman freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu presided over the event. Describing the Farakka movement as a symbol of resistance, Fakhrul said Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani had shown how a united nation could stand against international dominance and injustice. He said many in the younger generation are unfamiliar with Bhashani and his ideals, calling him a “legendary leader” who fought against British colonial rule, the Pakistani ruling class and later against post-independence authoritarianism. “Farakka is a symbol of our resistance,” Fakhrul said, adding that Bhashani had mobilised people against India’s unilateral decisions regarding river water distribution and was supported by BNP founder and Independence Proclaimer Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He said Ziaur Rahman raised the Farakka issue at the United Nations and succeeded in signing an agreement with India. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also took initiatives on the issue later, he added. Referring to the current treaty signed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Fakhrul said it is set to expire in December 2026. The BNP secretary general thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for taking a “timely and appropriate” decision to construct the Padma Barrage. According to him, the barrage would help Bangladesh put diplomatic pressure on India while also addressing drought and salinity problems in the country’s southern and southwestern regions. “Our government has completed three months in office. During this time, we have tried to identify the core problems and work on them,” he said. He said the government has already initiated programmes such as river dredging, farmer cards and canal excavation projects. Fakhrul noted that former President Ziaur Rahman had introduced canal excavation projects to preserve monsoon water for agriculture, biodiversity and livelihoods when upstream water flow was restricted. He also said the people of Bangladesh do not believe in communal politics. “We do not want to pollute Bangladesh again with extremism, communalism and corruption,” he said, stressing the importance of political stability for economic progress, employment generation, industrialisation and controlling commodity prices. Fakhrul said Bangladesh wants good relations with neighbouring countries but cannot accept the killing of Bangladeshi citizens along the border. “We strongly protest border killings and urge that they be stopped immediately,” he said. Calling on India to renew the Ganges Treaty before December, Fakhrul said the agreement should remain effective indefinitely until replaced by a new arrangement. He also urged the newly elected West Bengal government not to make statements that could damage relations between Bangladesh and India. “Not only Farakka, not only the Ganges or Teesta, all rivers flowing from upstream are part of our life and livelihood. We want our fair share of these rivers,” he said. Fakhrul also claimed that the Tipaimukh Dam project had been halted due to protests from Bangladesh as well as opposition within India. Among others, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, former minister and BNP leader Nur Mohammad Khan, former vice-chancellor and Bhashani Sangram Parishad adviser Dr Jasim Uddin Ahmad, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Nazmul Haque Nannu, International Farakka Committee Bangladesh President Mostafa Kamal Mojumder, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Central Command Council Convener Nayeem Jahangir, Supreme Court senior lawyer Fariduzzaman Farhad, Gono Forum President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury Papri, Ganosamhati Andolon Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel and Mahmoodul Haque Sanu attended the programme.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday expressed optimism that the ruling BNP government would be able to resolve the long-standing Farakka issue with support from both domestic and international stakeholders. “As the Sheaf of Paddy symbol received the people’s spontaneous mandate in the national election and gained support from all domestic and foreign forces, in the same continuity the Sheaf of Paddy will, InshaAllah, resolve the Farakka problem,” he said. Farakka Barrage harming both Bangladesh and India: Rizvi He made the remarks while speaking as the chief discussant at a discussion organised by Bhashani Janashakti Party marking Maulana Bhashani’s historic Farakka Long March Day at the Central Shaheed Minar in the afternoon.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday strongly condemned the attack and vandalism at the historic Shah Ali Mazar in Mirpur, calling on the government to ensure a swift and impartial investigation into the incident. In a statement, the party said the assault on a site of religious and historical significance was not only a sign of deteriorating law and order but also a grave threat to social harmony, coexistence and public safety. NCP calls for national emergency over measles outbreak in Bangladesh The NCP's Dhaka Metropolitan North unit urged law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay and take effective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The party emphasised that shrines and mazars should be viewed not merely as centres of religious worship, but as open spaces of social, cultural and human harmony for people of all faiths, communities and persuasions. For generations, such places have served as symbols of mutual coexistence, respect and human connection in our society, the statement reads. NCP called on the government to take concrete steps to make the mazar premises a safe, orderly and inclusive space for visitors, devotees and ordinary citizens from across the country. Earlier in the day, NCP Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb and Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar visited the mazar and held discussions with the shrine authorities. The attack took place late Thursday night when a group of men stormed the century-old Shah Ali Bogdadi Mazar in Mirpur-1, vandalising the premises and assaulting people present at the site.

Political Adviser to the Prime Minister and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said Farakka Barrage is causing harm not only to Bangladesh but also to India. “It is not only harming Bangladesh, it is also negatively affecting India,” he said while presiding over a discussion organised by BNP marking the Historic Farakka Day. Rizvi said the significance of the historic Farakka Long March Day on May 16 must be remembered and conveyed to younger generations. PM working tirelessly to fulfil election pledges: Rizvi “We are gradually forgetting this history. If this continues, the new generation may not even know about it in the future,” he said. He said BNP had earlier issued statements marking Farakka Day but this year the party has organised a larger-scale discussion involving experts and resource persons so that party leaders and activists connected to nationalist politics could better understand the issue. “We want good relations with all neighbouring countries but those relations must be based on dignity and mutual respect,” he said. Questioning the necessity of the Farakka Barrage, Rizvi referred to Indian engineer Kapil Bhattacharya who had warned decades ago about the harmful impacts of the project. “He said the Farakka Barrage would bring disaster. He protested against it and at one stage reportedly even resigned over the issue,” Rizvi said. He alleged that Indian policymakers ignored such warnings. Rizvi also referred to statements by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had reportedly called for dismantling the Farakka Barrage due to its adverse effects inside India. “Bihar is facing untimely floods and severe environmental problems because of the barrage,” he said. He further mentioned environmental activists Medha Patkar and Himanshu Thakkar as among those who had criticised the Farakka project and warned about its long-term consequences for India itself. Rizvi questioned whether maintaining navigability at Kolkata Port justified causing environmental and ecological damage to Bangladesh. “You claim Bangladesh is your friend and that you supported its Liberation War. But within just a few years, you built a Dam on the Ganges that caused devastating ecological consequences for Bangladesh,” he said. He said the effects of reduced river flow had contributed to salinity intrusion, environmental degradation and arsenic contamination in groundwater in parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Pabna, Sirajganj, Kushtia and Jessore regions. Referring to river management practices in the United States, Rizvi said many dams there had been removed to restore natural river flows. “If you block the mouth of a river and divert its natural course, the river will ultimately die. In the end, nobody benefits, not even India,” he said.