United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday alleged that the recommendations made by the National Consensus Commission do not fully reflect the discussions held with political parties, nor do they align with the provisions of the July Charter signed on October 17. “The charter includes only the Commission’s proposals. It does not mention what the political parties recommended, where consensus was reached, or where notes of dissent were recorded,” he said while speaking at a seminar held at a city hotel Salahuddin said the document signed by political parties at the South Plaza of the National Parliament was supposed to manifest the issues discussed with the Commission, but that consistency is missing. The BNP leader said the charter attached a schedule proposing amendments to 48 articles of the Constitution, which would be subject to a national referendum. “If this was their plan all along, then what was the point of holding 11 months of discussions under the Commission?” he asked. October 2006 incident was the first manifestation of Hasina’s fascism: Rizvi The BNP leader further said that during the Commission’s deliberations, when political parties sought assurance of the charter’s implementation, the BNP had proposed issuing a gazette notification to guarantee it. Although most parties supported the idea, the Commission later backtracked on the decision, he claimed. Reflecting on his own experience with the Commission, Salahuddin said, “I often felt isolated, as if I alone was on the opposing side. It seemed the Commission and several parties tried to impose their decisions.” He alleged that both the Commission and some political parties attempted to impose “unconsidered decisions” on the nation, while the BNP represented the voice of the people. Salahuddin also claimed that several of the issues now being put forward for a referendum were never discussed at the Commission level. “I was the first to suggest holding a referendum alongside the national election, and most political parties agreed with me then. But the 48 constitutional points now set for a referendum were never discussed with the Commission,” he said. BNP rejects Consensus Commission’s call for pre-election referendum: Khosru Expressing concern, the BNP leader warned that the Commission’s and government’s current approach would deepen political divisions instead of fostering consensus. He also criticized the Election Commission, terming its decision to compel alliance members to contest under their own electoral symbols “undemocratic.” Salahuddin concluded by expressing hope that the interim government would act as a true caretaker administration, maintaining neutrality in its functions.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Monday said the relevant commission is looking into who were specifically involved in torturing people, keeping them confined to ‘Aynaghars’ or secret prisons. “There are many involved in torturing people. The Commission will look into who are specifically involved,” he told reporters, adding that no specific force is identified or no specific individual is made responsible. The interim government made it clear that whoever is involved will be brought to justice, Azad said while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. “The government has this commitment,” he added. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said a panel (commission) is working to know how many Aynaghars were there in the country and once the commission submits its report, the overall scenario will come to light. “You will get a complete picture once the commission submits its report.” Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir was also present at the media briefing. In August last week, the government formed a five-member inquiry commission to identify and find the people who were forcibly disappeared by various intelligence and law enforcement agencies between January 1, 2010 and August 5, 2024. While visiting Gonobhaban, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said a replica of the Aynaghar (Mirror House) where “Hasina's notorious security agencies secretly detained” hundreds of dissidents and opposition activists should also be built at the Museum in Gonobhaban. CA's Spl Assistant, Spl Envoy visit garments industries at Savar The Aaynaghar should remind visitors of the tortures suffered by the secret prisoners, he said. The Chief Adviser asked advisers to gear up the museum construction for the July-August mass uprising at the Gonobhaban. The Chief Adviser gave the instructions when he visited the Dhaka palace where ousted dictator Sheikh Hasina lived during the past 15 years, which became a “symbol of repression and her brutal rule”. Azad said the Aynaghar has become a symbol of repression. Once the replica of Aynaghar is set up at Gonobhaban, the next generations will be able to know how much torture was carried out on the people keeping them confined in those secrete cells, he added. Azad said the interim government has not taken any decision to impose ban on any political party. The interim government, earlier, officially banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, declaring it a ‘terrorist organisation’. On extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Azad said there is no update on this issue. Earlier in September, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said Hasina should be extradited and brought to justice if she committed crimes. "Why shouldn't be? If she committed crimes, she should be extradited and brought to justice… she should be facing justice too," he said while responding to a question at ‘The New York Times Climate Forward Event’.