United News of Bangladesh

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur was discharged from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Monday after 18 days of treatment. Rashed Khan, general secretary of the party, said Nur was released around 4:30 pm. Although Nur has been discharged he will not be able to speak to the media and is scheduled to be admitted to another hospital for further treatment, he said. Nur may need 4–6 weeks to recover: DMCH Director Nur was admitted to DMCH on August 29 with multiple injuries  after a clash between activists of his party and Jatiya Party in front of his party office. He was initially treated at the One-Stop Emergency Centre (OSEC) before being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Once his condition stabilised, he was moved out of the ICU. He was given treatment under a six-member medical board.

A Barishal court has ordered police to register a case against leaders and activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad over the vandalism of Jatiya Party’s (JaPa) office in the city. Central President of Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Rashed Khan have been named as prime accused in the case filed under the Speedy Trial Act. JaPa’s district General Secretary and lawyer for the case, MA Jalil, said the incident took place on the night of May 31, when Gono Odhikar Parishad activists attacked and vandalised JaPa’s office on Fakirbari Road in the city. “After the incident, our party members went to the police station to file a case, but police refused to accept it. Later, we submitted a written complaint to the court. On Thursday, the court ordered the officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station to record the complaint as a case,” Jalil said. He added that the complaint, along with the court order, was sent to the police station around 11 am. Duty Officer SI Dolly received the documents. Jatiya Party postpones tomorrow’s rally Apart from Nur and Rashed, the case also accuses Gono Odhikar Parishad’s district President HM Shamim Reza, district General Secretary HM Hasan, city General Secretary Farhad Hossain, along with 25 named and 70 to 80 unidentified activists of the party. Reacting to the development, Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Barishal city General Secretary Farhad Hossain said, “We are not aware of any case being filed in court over the vandalism of JaPa’s office. However, if there is such a case, we will face it legally.” Kotwali Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said, “We have not yet received any documents from the court regarding the case. If the duty officer has received them, we will get those in due time.”

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur on Monday said the reform proposals finalised through dialogue must be implemented by the current interim government, no matter what. “At any cost, the reforms agreed upon through discussions must be implemented under this government,” he said while delivering his opening speech during a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. A nine-member delegation of Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by Nur, joined the discussion that began at 10:15am with National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. BNP’s Khosru seeks immediate election roadmap for democratic transition Nur said all parties must remain committed and strongly pursue the implementation of effective reforms in the greater interest of the country and the people. “In the case of reforms, national interest and the country should be given priority over personal benefits or the interests of any party or group. This is our appeal to the commission,” he added. He expressed the hope that the ongoing dialogue with the National Consensus Commission would mark an important chapter in Bangladesh’s future progress. Nur said the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy had been trampled over the past 16 years. “To ensure that no future ruler can follow such a path and put the country at risk by oppressing citizens, we want to implement effective reforms through the National Consensus Commission,” he said. Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. Gono Odhikar Parishad agreed with 127 of the 166 proposals made by the Commission, partially agreed with 23, and disagreed with 15. Zonayed Saki urges specific timeframe for national election On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives. The Commission has already held discussions with 19 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP). Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.  

Two counter-cases have been filed against five people, including Gono Odhikar Parishad's president and former Ducsu VP Nurul Haque Nur, in connection with a clash during the eviction of a club in Khulna. Nayeem Hawlader, joint convenor of the Khulna metropolitan unit of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, filed one case, while Sheikh Sakib Ahmed, a district committee member, lodged another at Khulna Sadar Police Station, said Khulna Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge Hawladar Sanwar Hossain Masum. Arrest warrant issued against ex-OC of Khulna Sadar for contempt of court The case filed by Nayeem Hawlader named four accused: Nurul Haque Nur, SK Rashed (general secretary of the metropolitan unit of Gono Odhikar Parishad), Md Jony (central joint organising secretary of Jubo Odhikar Parishad), and Taizul Islam. Sheikh Sakib Ahmed’s case also includes four accused: Rashed, Jony, Aziz Sheikh Rubel (organising secretary of the Khulna metropolitan unit of Gono Odhikar Parishad), and a person named Hiron. Earlier, on 21 March, SK Rashed had filed a case against five individuals from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement: Sajidul Islam Buppi (member secretary of the Khulna district committee), joint convenors Nazmul Hossain and Mohorrom Mahim, joint chief organiser Sheikh Rafsan Jani, and central member Rumi Rahman. Both parties had filed separate cases and that further steps would be taken after an investigation, added the OC. Background of the clash Locals reported that a club named "Panchabeethi Krira Chakra" was situated in a government building of the Public Works Department at Shantidham Mor in Khulna. On January 27, the building was occupied, and the office of Gono Odhikar Parishad was set up under the leadership of Sheikh Rashidul Islam, general secretary of the party's Khulna metropolitan unit. After news of the occupation surfaced, Rashed was relieved of his duties that night. However, he continued to conduct party activities from the building even after his dismissal. Recently, signboards of several affiliated organisations were also put up there. Maya and 17 others sued in BNP leader’s disappearance On March 17, after evening, leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee in Khulna circulated messages on Facebook, calling for the eviction of the occupied building. Around 9 pm, as they attempted to reclaim the premises, a violent clash broke out between the two groups, leaving several people injured.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) on Thursday demanded that the Awami League's registration with the Election Commission, a pre-requisite for running in national elections, along with its alliance partners and other nameless political parties be withheld or cancelled. An eight-member delegation, led by Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque, placed the demand in a meeting with the Election Commission. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and other election commissioners were present at the two-hour meeting in the Nirbachan Bhaban here. Jamaat Ameer vows to surrender if ATM Azharul remains jailed “Since Awami League and its allies are involved in this (July-August) massacre, we told them (the EC) at least to withhold or cancel their registration,” said GOP general secretary Rashed Khan while talking to reporters after the meeting. “We’ve asked the EC so that fascist Awami League and its allies can, in no way, participate in the next election,” he said. In response the EC told them that withholding  requires political consensus and is a matter for the court, said Rashed. Hold national election without delay, Fakhrul urges govt  In this regard, Nurul Haque Nur said some nameless political parties were registered before the 2008 national election and the 2024 national election. The EC can withhold the registration of the nameless parties and kings parties that are not complying with the registration conditions. He, however, acknowledged the Election Commission cannot decide alone whether the Awami League will be allowed to participate in the next election or not. A political consensus is required here. “The government must also play a role here. That consensus has already been reached in this regard," he said. Replying to a question, the GOP president said his party thinks that the election to some local bodies – particularly city corporations, upazila parishads and municipalities- can be held before the national election as the people are being deprived of getting the services from the local bodies.   He said the services of the local government bodies have been hampered for the last six months in absence of public representatives there. The people are suffering in availing different services from the bodies. “If the national election is held in December next, the local government bodies will remain without public representatives for 10 more months…. This is why we think the elections to city corporations, upazila parishads and municipalities can be held. At least the elections to two tiers out of the three tiers can be held,” he said. Nurul Haque said they also discussed enrolment of expatriate Bangladeshis in the electoral rolls and ensuring the voting rights in the next election. He demanded the EC not to include the government officials, who acted as the returning officers and presiding officers in the last few controversial elections or who are affiliated to any political party, in the election duty in future. Nurul Haque said they will participate in the next national election with his party’s ‘Truck’ symbol.

Dr Reza Kibria on Sunday threatened to take legal action against Nurul Haque Nur and two others for their ‘unlawful’ move to remove him from the post of convener of Gono Odhikar Parishad. Talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence, Dr Reza said Gono Odhikar Parishad will be run under his leadership. "He (Nur) has become so desperate to remove me that he took the decision without proper voting," he said. As per the party constitution, Dr Reza said two-thirds of votes (81 votes) of the central committee are needed to oust its convener or president. “It didn't happen." Besides, he claimed that Nur and his associates forged signatures of some committee members. “You will see the signatures of those who did not sign there. It is a serious matter. That's why we’ll file a case against Nurul Haque, Rashed Khan  and Shakil Uzzaman for forging signatures and taking votes through irregularities,” Reza  warned. He said only 36 central committee members put down their signatures during the voting for his removal. "The rest didn’t sign while 81 votes of the central committee are required to remove the convener. So, they could not remove me,” Reza said. He said he will continue to run the party as its convener. “The party is facing such a situation for only one person. I think we can overcome the problem as we have a lot of good people to save the party.” Earlier on Saturday, a group led by Nur, removed Reza Kibria from his post of the Gono Odhikar Parishad convener and replaced him with party joint convener Rashed Khan. A press release, signed by party office secretary Shakil Uzzaman said, the decision was taken as the two- third members of the central committee supported the proposal for Reza’s removal. Reza Kibria removed from Gono Odhikar Parishad Reza Kibria, however, was not present at the meeting. On October 26, 2021, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad was launched with  Reza Kibria as its convenor and former Ducsu Vice Present Nurul Haque Nur as member secretary with the motto of restoration of democracy, establishment of justice, rights of people, and saving the national interests.  

Nurul Haque Nur, member secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, has said that the Awami League government executed some “innocent” leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami on “India’s prescription”. “Jamaat is not legally banned. But it is the Awami League that has executed some innocent leaders of Jamaat, in the name of war crimes trial, prescribed by India,” Nur said. Also read: Nur defends top aide Tarek’s “offensive remarks” on Hindu religious scripture Speaking at a Gono Odhikar Parishad rally in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, he said, “Jamaat has held a rally in Dhaka for the first time in 10 years. Three ministers of Awami League said it was a political decision by the government.” “I believe Jamaat’s ideology and its politics will not allow it to do anything that benefits the Awami League. But there is no last word when it comes to politics. We do not know Jamaat’s current position. But it is clear from their statements that they will be on the streets,” Nur said. Also read: Jamaat holds first rally after a decade, demands polls under caretaker govt "We need everyone’s support to overthrow this government. So, we are with BNP, Jamaat, Jatiya Party, Charmonai …whoever will be on the streets. We are not in favour of keeping this government in power even for a single week,” he added. Referring to the recent Barishal city corporation election, Nur said, “You have seen a candidate being beaten up and left in a bloodied state. He is a veteran figure, a respected figure among Muslim scholars. We condemn this attack on him.” Also read: Awami League's policy unchanged despite allowing Jamaat rally: Home Minister

Without offering any apology for the “obscene language” used by his top aide Tarek Rahman to describe Hindu religious scripture, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur has rather defended the former’s remarks — taking a dig at reports in Indian media on the incident. “It was an earlier statement by him (Tarek)… why do they need to report it now? This is intentional… you should not report on old things,” Nur said in a video of a press conference. “It's up to an individual if it hurts them. This is not a collective issue,” Nur went on to say, having Tarek sitting next to him. Nur did not express any regret to the country’s Hindu community for the obscene and offensive remark made on record by his top aide. A day before, Nur came down heavily on the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government for arresting Jamaat and BNP leaders. Read: Video of Nur’s top aide Tarek threatening to “arm Rohingyas” draws criticism on social media Calling the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman — arrested over assisting a militant group — as a “humanitarian” individual, Nur demanded his immediate release. Nur also lambasted an organisation called Muktijuddho Moncho — a platform for descendants of freedom fighters — that held protest against Nur for his threats to “overthrow the government”. “Why is this organisation so selective in holding protests? Why did they hold protest against China?” — Nur asked. Nur’s top aide Tarek recently also made news for threatening to “arm the Rohingyas” in a video that has drawn criticism on social media. Read: Nur calls Jamaat’s ameer “humanitarian” “We will train them and arm them” — Tarek is heard saying in the video. Just two days after this statement, two Rohingya community leaders were killed in the camps that have been hosting around a million Rohingyas.

Right after returning to Bangladesh, Member Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur has defended Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman — arrested over assisting a militant group — as a “humanitarian” individual. “How could the government arrest such a humanitarian person like the ameer of Jamaat?” — Nur said in a video of a press conference today. According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the Jamaat ameer’s son got involved with the militant group Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya. Later, Shafiqur allegedly supported and funded them. Two police officers were injured in a clash with Jamaat-e-Islami activists during their demonstration protesting the arrest of their ameer in Rajshahi city on December 13, 2022. Jamaat, Shibir men also clashed with police on December 30 — leaving several people, including cops, injured. Read more: ‘Free arrested Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists’: Nur, Saki submit memo to DU VC The latest call by Nur, defending the Jamaat ameer and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, comes after his return from a much talked about overseas trip, during which he reportedly met an individual named Mendi N Safadi, apparently an agent of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A sedition complaint was filed against Nur in this regard. "It seems that Nur has been involved in a conspiracy to unseat the elected government in Bangladesh," the complaint says.

Former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur was sued in another case filed under the Digital Security Act in Cumilla on Thursday for allegedly hurting religious sentiment. Litan Sarkar, Awami Sechchasebak League leader of Cumilla North unit, filed the case with Debidar Police Station in the afternoon, police said. Nur was accused of delivering provocative, fake and defamatory comments on social media and stoking religious hatred on April 15. Also read: Ex-DUCSU VP Nur sued under Digital Security Act in Rajshahi Earlier, several more cases were filed against the student leader on similar charges in Chattogram, Dhaka, Rajshahi and Sylhet. The case statement said Nur has hurt religious sentiment of Awami League supporters with his comments during a programme on April 16 in Shahbagh. Also read: ‘Hurting religious sentiment’: More cases filed against Nur No Muslim can support Awami League, Nur said in his speech adding that only some extortionists, cheaters, drug traders, fortune seekers support AL, the statement added. The ex-DUCSU VP also placed the badge of 'Fake Muslims' against supporters and leaders of Awami League, appearing on a Facebook live on April 15.