United News of Bangladesh

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday claimed that another revolution is imminent and urged the people to prepare for it, warning that no one would be able to prevent the fall of the current government unless it corrects its course. "Everything seems to indicate that another revolution is imminent. I urge the countrymen to prepare for that revolution," he said while addressing a public rally in the capital. The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance organised the rally at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital, marking the second anniversary of the 2024 July Mass Uprising. Addressing the programme as the chief guest, the Jamaat chief said the consequences of wrongdoing may take time to unfold, but ultimately sin decays and collapses on its own. “Now that sin has started to decay. If the government understands that, then it is good. If they don't, no one will be able to prevent its downfall,” he said. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said as people of all ages had joined the July uprising, everyone would take part in the coming movement. “The uncompromising struggle against fascism will continue," he said. The opposition leader also accused the current government of repeating the practices of the fascist regime. "If you behave like fascists, people will call you fascists. So, abandon fascist behaviour," he said. Dr Shafiqur Rahman urged the government to respect public mandate given through the referendum for implementation of reform initiatives. "Accept our public mandate. Do not insult the verdict of 70 percent of the people (given through referendum). No one has survived after disrespecting the people's mandate," he said. He alleged that his party was facing continuous pressure and inducements to compromise but vowed not to retreat. “I would like to say before the people of this country that we will safeguard your democratic mandate, InshaAllah. With Allah's help, we must ensure that this demand is realized. We will not retreat from it in exchange for anything, not even our lives," he said. Talking about recent violence in educational institutions, the opposition leader alleged that the developments of the past few days have created anxiety among students and teachers. It has also created a fear that the fascist culture of ‘ganoroom’ (overcrowded dormitory rooms) and 'guest room' may return, he said. He urged students, teachers and staff to resist injustice wherever it occurs. “No wrongdoing should be tolerated," he said. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque presided over the rally, while leaders of the 11-party alliance addressed the gathering.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday demanded the Election Commission to withdraw its proposed provision barring MPO-listed teachers from contesting local government elections and cancel the contractual appointment of an additional secretary over “political affiliation”. A six-member Jamaat delegation, led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, sat in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon and submitted a letter to the CEC. Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud and Tahmida Ahmad, along with EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, were also present at the meeting in the morning. According to a letter submitted to the CEC, Jamaat also demanded consideration of its previous opinions regarding the local government election code of conduct which were placed before the Election Commission on June 30 last. In the letter, Jamaat said the EC has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Local Government declaring MPO-affiliated teachers ineligible to contest in local government elections. If the proposed provision is implemented, several lakhs of teachers and employees of more than 30,000 MPO-affiliated educational institutions in the country will be deprived of the opportunity to participate in local government elections, which is inconsistent with the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in Articles 27 and 28 of the Constitution, it added. “So, we believe that the proposed provision needs to be reconsidered and withdrawn or amended so that the constitutional right of eligible citizens to political participation remains intact,” it said. Jamaat also demanded the immediate cancellation of the recent contractual appointment of 67-year-old Md Shamsul Alam as an additional secretary to the EC Secretariat, alleging that he had links with a political party. The party claimed that media reports regarding his alleged political affiliation have raised questions among people about the neutrality of the Election Commission. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Mia Golam Parwar said the delegation discussed four demands with the Commission. "We met the Election Commission to discuss our demands aimed at ensuring the upcoming local government elections are fair, neutral, transparent and credible," he said. Raising the fourth demand, he said they asked the EC to make the administrators appointed to local government bodies on political considerations ineligible to contest local government elections. Regarding Shamsul Alam's appointment, Parwar alleged that appointing a politically affiliated person to a constitutional body like the Election Commission would undermine its neutrality as he had served as a member of the BNP's electoral constituency delimitation committee. The Jamaat leader alleged that the appointment was intended to influence the upcoming local government elections in favour of the ruling party. The EC told the delegation that it had not been aware of Shamsul Alam's alleged political affiliation and that the contractual appointment had been made by the government. “But the EC could have objected to the appointment,” he said. Parwar criticised ministers for making differing statements about the possible timing of local government elections. He also criticised the EC over the publication of the gazette notification declaring BNP leader Sarwar Alamgir elected from Chattogram-2 on the same day the Supreme Court delivered its verdict. He alleged that the Commission had acted under political pressure by issuing the gazette without waiting for the signed copy of the court order. “Their body language reflected that they did it under pressure,” he added.    Responding to a question, Parwar said they did not discuss the parliamentary membership of its expelled Satkhira-4 lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam in the meeting. "We have already written to both the Speaker and the Election Commission. Expulsion from the party is the highest disciplinary action we can take. The issue of parliamentary membership is constitutional and falls under the jurisdiction of the Speaker and the Election Commission," he said. The Jamaat delegation also included Assistant Secretaries General Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Moazzem Hossain Helal, members of its central working committee Jasim Uddin Sarkar and Shishir Mohammad Monir.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday formally notified the Election Commission (EC) that it has expelled Satkhira-4 lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam from the party after an internal investigation found allegations of moral turpitude against him to be true. In a letter signed by party's Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and addressed to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, Jamaat informed the EC of its decision. According to the letter, the party conducted an organisational investigation into various media reports published recently regarding MP Nazrul. The investigation found the allegations of moral turpitude against him to be substantiated. Consequently, he was expelled from the party under Article 62 of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami constitution, it said. The letter stated that the decision was unanimously taken at an emergency meeting of the party's Central Executive Council held on July 22 chaired by Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman. It said copies of the decision have also been sent to the Office of the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad for taking necessary action.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled Satkhira-4 lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam after an internal investigation found evidence of what the party described as "moral lapses" following the circulation of a viral video that sparked widespread controversy. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the party's Central Executive Council held at 4pm on Wednesday at the official residence of the Opposition Leader on Mintoo Road in the capital, said a statesman of the party. Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman chaired the meeting. According to the party, an organisational investigation into allegations reported by various media outlets found evidence of "moral lapses" on the part of Gazi Nazrul Islam. Based on the findings, the council decided to expel him from the party, said the statement. The party said it will immediately notify the Election Commission of his expulsion. Earlier at noon, local people brought out a protest procession in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, demanding the removal of Gazi Nazrul Islam. The protesters under the banner of Shyamnagar Sachetan Nagorik brought out a procession around 12pm that marched through the upazila's main roads before ending on Shyamnagar Press Club premises. Later, the protesters burned an effigy of the MP. A video on social media on Monday night showed the Satkhira-4 lawmaker getting intimate with a girl in a room. Amid the controversy, Gazi Nazrul Islam claimed in a Facebook post that the girl seen in the video is his second wife.

Local people brought out a protest procession in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira on Wednesday, demanding the removal of Jamaat-e-Islami MP Gazi Nazrul Islam over a viral video that has sparked widespread controversy. The protesters  under the banner of Shyamnagar Sachetan Nagorik brought out a procession around 12pm that marched through the upazila's main roads before ending on Shyamnagar Press Club premises. Later, the protesters burned an effigy of the MP. They alleged that the MP has lost the moral authority to represent the constituency and demanded that Jamaat-e-Islami remove him from both the party and Parliament. They also declared Gazi Nazrul Islam ‘persona non grata’in Shyamnagar, alleging that his actions has tarnished the image of the locality. They also urged the party to take organisational action against him. The protest follows the circulation of a video on social media on Monday night showing the Satkhira-4 lawmaker getting intimate with a girl in a room. Amid the controversy, Gazi Nazrul Islam claimed in a Facebook post that the girl seen in the video is his second wife. However, his claim has also triggered debate and drawn public scrutiny. Jamaat-e-Islami has not issued any official statement on the matter yet.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has relieved Sujauddin Joardar of his duties as secretary of its Kushtia district unit because he is employed at a women's educational institution, in line with a decision of the party's central leadership. Enamul Haque, Ameer of Kushtia city Jamaat, has been appointed as the new district secretary. Kushtia district Jamaat Ameer Principal Khandaker AKM Ali Mohsin confirmed the development to reporters on Monday night. According to a party statement issued on Monday, the central leadership has decided that any male member (Rukon) employed at a women's educational institution cannot hold organisational responsibilities within Jamaat-e-Islami. Following the directive, Enamul Haque was assigned the post of district secretary. The statement said the decision was unanimously approved at a meeting of the district executive council held on July 13. Speaking to reporters, Sujauddin Joardar said the party's constitution bars members employed at women's educational institutions from serving as Rukon or holding responsible organisational posts. He said the policy applies nationwide following the central committee's decision, adding that he accepted the decision without any resentment. Sujauddin noted that he had joined Bagowan Dr Fazlul Haque Girls' College as a teacher before becoming district secretary. At that time, he said, the relevant provision of the party constitution had been relaxed, allowing him to serve in the post. He added that if he resigns from his teaching position, he could be reinstated to his previous organisational role. Newly appointed district secretary Enamul Haque said he was entrusted with the responsibility through a unanimous decision of the district leadership. District Ameer Khandaker AKM Ali Mohsin said the central committee's directive has led to the removal of seven party members nationwide holding similar positions while employed at women's educational institutions. He said Enamul Haque was immediately appointed as the new district secretary by unanimous decision.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has released the full text of its verdict overturning a High Court ruling that had declared the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party illegal. The four-member Appellate Division bench, led by the then Chief Justice, delivered the judgment on June 1 last year. The full copy of the verdict was published on Monday. The Election Commission granted Jamaat registration as a political party in November 2008. In 2009, Syed Rezaul Haque Chandpuri and 25 others filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the registration. After a final hearing, a three-member bench of the High Court declared Jamaat’s registration illegal by majority opinion on August 1, 2013. The court also granted a certificate for appeal against the verdict, which was later converted into an appeal. Jamaat also filed a regular leave-to-appeal petition that year. Following the High Court verdict, Jamaat sought a stay order, but the then Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury, rejected the plea on August 5, 2013. Subsequently, on December 7, 2018, the Election Commission officially cancelled Jamaat’s registration through a gazette notification. On November 19, 2023, the Appellate Division dismissed Jamaat’s appeal and leave-to-appeal petitions against the High Court verdict after no lawyer appeared on behalf of the party. Jamaat filed separate petitions following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, seeking restoration of the appeal and leave-to-appeal by condoning delays. After hearing the matter, the Appellate Division restored the petitions. The appeal and leave-to-appeal were later included in the Appellate Division’s hearing schedule, and hearings began on December 3, 2024. Jamaat also filed an application regarding the allocation of its electoral symbol. The court subsequently tagged the application with the appeal and leave-to-appeal for hearing. After concluding hearings, the Appellate Division delivered its verdict on June 1 last year. During the previous Awami League government, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on August 1, 2024, banning Jamaat and its student wing – Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. Following the formation of an interim government on August 8, 2024 after the fall of the AL government, the ban on Jamaat and Shibir was withdrawn.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the party’s iftar programme scheduled to be held on February 28. Jamaat Secretary General Miah Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim on Wednesday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office at the Cabinet Division. “During the meeting, the Jamaat leaders invited the Prime Minister to attend the party’s iftar programme scheduled to be held on February 28,” said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

Newly elected MPs are set to take oath as members of the 13th parliament and also the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath in line with the Constitution as the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament are currently vacant. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the oath-taking room of the Jatiya Sangsad.   BNP’s MPs-elect will take oath at 10am, while those of Jamaat-e-Islami will do so at 12pm, said Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Moula. “Both oaths of the elected MPs as members of parliament and as members of the Constitution Reform Council will be held at a time (the same event),” she told UNB on Monday evening. Besides, the Election Commission on Monday wrote to the Parliament Secretariat asking to take necessary measures as the Chief Election Commissioner will administer the oath of newly elected members of the 13th parliament and also members of the Constitution Reform Council at 10am on Tuesday. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed wrote the letter to the Secretary of Parliament Secretariat. However, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday raised constitutional concerns regarding the oath of the Constitution Reform Council, casting uncertainty over whether such an oath can legally be administered now. DMP issues traffic guidelines for oath-taking ceremony “If the Constitutional Reform Council is incorporated into the Constitution through an amendment, and if a specific oath format is included in the Third Schedule of the Constitution with a designated authority to administer that oath—only after all these conditions are met could such a process take place,” he said. While the Third Schedule of the Constitution specifies the oaths for various offices, including that of Members of Parliament, it does not mention any oath for members of a Constitution Reform Council, he said. Responding to questions from journalists, Salahuddin Ahmed, also a newly elected MP, said the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct the national parliamentary and presidential elections. Officials at the Parliament Secretariat said newly elected MPs will sign the oath book and provide fingerprints, images and digital signatures for preparation of their digital identity cards following the ceremony. The 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 were held on Thursday last (February 12) in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies amid festivity and peaceful atmosphere. On Friday last, the EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates. The election results of two other constituencies – Chattogram-2 and 4-- were withheld as per the court orders. Besides, the election to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. But BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has left Bogura-6 seat for by-election as he is set to take oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. So, the BNP-led electoral alliance sealed victory in a total of 212 constituencies, while the Jamaat-led electoral alliance won in 77 constituencies. According to the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025, a Constitution Reform Council shall be formed with the representatives elected in the general election, which could apply all authorities related to the constitutional reform. The representatives elected in the election shall act as the members of the parliament and also members of the Council simultaneously. The Constitution Reform Council shall complete the implementation of the July National Charter and the Constitutional Reforms in line with the mandate gained through the referendum within 180 working days since the formation of the council and then the tenure of the council will end immediately. The Order also states that the authority entitled to administer the oath of MPs will likewise administer the oath of members of the Constitution Reform Council. According to the Constitution, newly elected MPs must take their oath, typically administered by the Speaker within three days of the gazette notification. Due to the resignation/absence of the 12th Parliament Speaker, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) or a President-nominated person will administer the oath. Maldives' President, FM to join oath-taking ceremony The Article 148 (2A) states, ”If, within three days next after publication through official Gazette of the result of a general election of members of Parliament under clause (3) of article 123, the person specified under the Constitution for the purpose or such other person designated by that person for the purpose, is unable to, or does not, administer oath to the newly elected members of Parliament, on any account, the Chief Election Commissioner shall administer such oath within three days next thereafter, as if, he is the person specified under the Constitution for the purpose.” Tenures of all Parliaments The tenure of first parliament was from 07-04-1973 to 06-11-1975 (2 years 6 months and 30 days), the second parliament from 02-04-1979 to 24-03-1982 (2 years 11 months 22 days), the third parliament from 10-07-1986 to 06-12-1987 (1 year 4 months 26 days), the fourth parliament from 15-04-1988 to 06-01-1990 (1 year 8 months 22 days), the fifth parliament from  05-04-1991 to 24-11-1995 (4 years 7 months 19 days), the sixth parliament from 19-03-1996 to 30-03-1996 (11 days),  the seventh parliament from 14-07-1996 to 13-07-2001 (4 years 11 months 29 days), the eight parliament from 28-10-2001 to 27-10-2006 (4 years 11 months 29 days), the ninth parliament from 25-01-2009 to 24-01-2014 (4 years 11 months 30 days), the 10th parliament from 19-01-2014 to 28-01-2019 (5 years 9 days), the 11th parliament from 30-01-2019 to 06-01-2024 (4 years 11 months 7 days) and the 12th parliament from 10-01-2024  to 06-08-2024 (6 months 27 days).

Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Sunday said the new government, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami will work together to build a 'new Bangladesh'. “We welcome the incoming Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman's courtesy visit to the residence of Ameer-e-Jamaat. It is a qualitative change in our political culture and a new beginning,” he said. He made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing following a meeting between BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Taher said the two parties had long fought against the fascist government led by the Awami League. Following its removal, he said, BNP and Jamaat contested the election separately, but expressed hope that they would now work together for the welfare of the country. Jamaat Ameer calls meeting with Tarique 'an important moment' During the meeting, the Jamaat Ameer urged Tarique Rahman to maintain law and order across the country, Taher said, adding that they also discussed ways to resolve any potential misunderstandings or issues between the two parties. Earlier in the evening, Tarique Rahman visited the Jamaat chief’s residential office in the Bashundhara Residential Area around 7:10 pm and held a nearly 45-minute meeting, which BNP leaders described as a positive political gesture following the election. Among others, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Abdullah Muhammad Taher and Assistant Secretary General and Central Publicity and Media Secretary Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair were present at the meeting.