[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

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Tarique acquitted in two sedition cases in Sylhet

A Sylhet court today dismissed two sedition cases against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, acquitting him of the charges

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Tarique acquitted in two sedition cases in Sylhet

File photo

A Sylhet court today dismissed two sedition cases against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, acquitting him of the charges.

Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate Court's Judge Sagir Ahmed dismissed the cases filed in 2014 by the then Chhatra League leaders, confirmed Sylhet District BNP General Secretary and lawyer Emran Ahmed Chowdhury to The Daily Star.

The court dismissed the cases as they were filed to politically harass Tarique, he added.

On December 22, 2014, two cases were filed against Tarique Rahman with the Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate Court on charges of sedition.

The cases were filed by M Raihan Ahmed Chowdhury, the former general secretary of the Sylhet District unit of Chhatra League, and Shamim Mollah, the former president of the Sylhet Agricultural University unit of Chhatra League.

According to the case documents, on December 15, 2014, Tarique, while speaking from the UK, made defamatory remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The court accepted the cases and instructed the police to investigate the matter.

Earlier in the day, the High Court acquitted Tarique, former BNP state minister Lutfozzaman Babar and all other accused in two cases over the August 21, 2004 grenade attack.​

 

[Saif]

Unite against politics of vengeance

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for national unity to end the practice of political vengeance and pave the way for a new chapter in Bangladesh's history

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Unite against politics of vengeance
Says Tarique after acquittal; BNP satisfied, AL protests

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for national unity to end the practice of political vengeance and pave the way for a new chapter in Bangladesh's history.

"Let us unite to end political vengeance and open a new chapter in history, where no one's life or family will be destroyed because of political differences," Tarique said in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page last night.

He put up the post following his acquittal in the two cases related to the August 21 grenade attack.

"The beauty of truth is that it inevitably triumphs over propaganda and conspiracy, giving us faith that, eventually, justice and fairness prevail."

He also reiterated the BNP's commitment to fostering democratic values in the country, highlighting the need for diversity and inclusion.

"We pledge to uphold the spirit of democracy that thrives on diversity of faiths, beliefs, and ideologies, empowering the people of Bangladesh to define their own fate through electoral participation," he said in a statement.

Highlighting his vision for the nation, Tarique expressed his aspirations, saying, "In that journey, we aspire to establish the rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression, safeguarding the rights and liberties of every citizen and building an inclusive, tolerant, and rules-based society."

BNP REACTION

The BNP expressed satisfaction over the High Court verdict acquitting Tarique and other accused in the August 21 grenade attack cases.

The party leaders also viewed this verdict as proof that all the cases filed against Tarique were politically motivated and part of conspiracies.

At a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi hailed the verdict, saying, "Justice has been served... Tarique and other accused in the two cases had been deprived of justice under the Awami League government."

Rizvi said that the cases were manipulated during the tenure of the Awami League, specifically accusing retired police officer Abdul Kahar Akhand, who was reappointed as the investigation officer, of having "malicious intentions."

Following the announcement of the verdict, party leaders and activists brought out a celebratory rally in the Nayapaltan area.

In a statement issued from London, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "Through this verdict, it has been proven that all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman were part of a political conspiracy."

In a separate programme, the party's standing committee Member Mirza Abbas said the grenade attack was a "planned act by a foreign power" and had no connection to the BNP.

"A foreign power carried out this heinous act to frame Begum Khaleda Zia and our leader, Tarique Rahman," he said in a programme at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Abbas called the verdict "good news for justice" during the month of victory and expressed hope for Tarique's safe return to Bangladesh.

AWAMI LEAGUE PROTESTS

Mahbubul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of the Awami League central committee, condemned and protested the acquittal of all individuals sentenced to death and life imprisonment in the cases.

"Today's verdict proves that the government has completely hijacked the judiciary," he said in a statement yesterday.

Hanif said, "We have seen the practical implementation of Dr Yunus's 'reset button' through this verdict. He wanted to erase everything from our memories. This is a part of the ongoing conspiracy to completely erase an incident like the horrific massacre of August 21."

"This farcical verdict is a disgrace to the nation, despite having clear and specific evidence. In November 2008, Mufti Abdul Hannan, a leader of Harkat-ul-Jihad, was arrested. In his statement presented to the court, Hannan confessed that with the assistance of top figures in the BNP-Jamaat government, he carried out the grenade attack on the Awami League rally," he said in a statement.

"Today's verdict once again demonstrates that this government has completely held the judiciary hostage. The culture of impunity and mob justice prevalent in the country will soon demand a heavy price," he added.​

 

[Saif]

২১ আগস্ট গ্রেনেড হামলা মামলায় সব আসামিকে খালাস দিয়েছে হাইকোর্ট

 

[Saif]

Tarique’s acquittal proves cases were politically motivated: Fakhrul

Expressing relief over the High Court’s acquittal of Tarique Rahman in the August 21 grenade attack cases, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated on Sunday said this verdict has manifested all the cases filed against their party's Acting Chairman was politically motivated an

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tarique’s acquittal proves cases were politically motivated: Fakhrul
UNB
Published :
Dec 01, 2024 17:44
Updated :
Dec 01, 2024 17:44

Expressing relief over the High Court’s acquittal of Tarique Rahman in the August 21 grenade attack cases, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated on Sunday said this verdict has manifested all the cases filed against their party's Acting Chairman was politically motivated and conspiratorial.

“Tarique Rahman was acquitted by the High Court after legally facing the charges brought against him,” he said in a statement.

Fakhrul, now in London, issued the statement following the High Court’s verdict in the two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack. The judgement has shown that the Awami ‘fascist’ government accused Tarique Rahman in these cases with political motives, he said.

“Through this historic verdict, it has been demonstrated once again that all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman were political conspiracies,” Fakhrul said.

He expressed his gratitude to Allah for the verdict and called upon party leaders and activists across the country to pray for Tarique’s well-being.

Earlier, at a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed his satisfaction, saying that justice has been served as the High Court acquitted Tarique Rahman and the others convicted in the two cases.

Rizvi said when retired police officer Abdul Kahar Akhand was reappointed and made the investigation officer (IO) of the cases during the Awami League rule, it became clear to them that the government had malicious intentions.

The BNP leader also alleged that the Awami League government had used state power to forcibly convict Tarique Rahman and other BNP leaders in the cases. “We have got the proper judgement from the apex court. Some of the justice for which we have been engaged in a long political struggle has been reflected in the verdict,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the High Court (HC) had overturned the verdict of a lower court in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack, acquitting all convicts, including BNP’s Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar.

An HC bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain delivered the judgement on Sunday.

The court also declared the charge sheet in the case illegal.

The grenade attack, a shocking incident, occurred on Dhaka’s Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.​

 

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BNP’s road march towards Indian High Commission Sunday

Three BNP associate bodies - Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal - will stage a road march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday to protest the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala and the desecration of the country's national flag. The programme

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP’s road march towards Indian High Commission Sunday
UNB
Published :
Dec 07, 2024 21:00
Updated :
Dec 07, 2024 21:00

Three BNP associate bodies - Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal - will stage a road march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday to protest the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala and the desecration of the country's national flag.

The programme is also intended to register protests against what the party describes as an Indian plot to incite communal riots in Bangladesh, said a party press release on Saturday.

The leaders and activists of the three organisations are scheduled to begin the march from BNP's Nayapaltan central office at 10am.

They will submit a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in this regard.​

 

[Saif]

Tarique seeks accountability of all, from PM to UP members

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday stated that the party's primary objective is to ensure accountability in Bangladesh, where everyone, from the Prime Minister to Union Parishad Members, is accountable to people for their actions. "We want to create an atmosphere of accountability

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tarique seeks accountability of all, from PM to UP members
UNB
Published :
Dec 07, 2024 20:58
Updated :
Dec 07, 2024 20:58

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday stated that the party's primary objective is to ensure accountability in Bangladesh, where everyone, from the Prime Minister to Union Parishad Members, is accountable to people for their actions.

"We want to create an atmosphere of accountability in the country. As a political party, this is our main objective... From the Prime Minister to Union Parishad members, Upazila chairman, ministers, MPs, and all other levels, everyone must remain accountable," he said while virtually addressing a workshop in Faridpur.

At the same time, Tarique said everyone at all levels in government and semi-government offices and institutions must be accountable to the people.

"We must ensure accountability everywhere. It's not something that can be achieved overnight, but it is possible... If you think about your family, it thrives because of accountability," he said.

The workshop, titled "31-Point State Structure Reform Proposal and Public Engagement," was organised by the BNP Training Affairs Committee at the Faridpur Sadar Upazila Complex.

Tarique said corruption, anarchy, breakdowns in law and order, and other misdeeds occurred during the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina due to a complete lack of accountability.

He said the Awami League arranged one-sided elections repeatedly, while its leaders and workers indulged in widespread looting and siphoning vast amounts of money abroad-again, due to the absence of accountability to the people.

"So, we aim to address corruption, establish the rule of law, and strengthen the healthcare sector so that people can receive proper treatment. We also want to create an environment where students can access quality education in the country. As a political activist, I believe much can be achieved if accountability is established," the BNP leader said.

He said a free and fair election is essential to restore accountability, reclaim people's lost rights, and implement BNP's 31-point proposal for gradually building a desired Bangladesh. "It's only natural that a party like the BNP would call for a fair election. To make this happen, everyone has to play their part."

The BNP leader recalled how the people from all walks of life united to force the autocratic Awami League regime to flee the country. "Similarly, we must all unite to establish our rights."

"If we want to achieve our goals, I need cooperation from all leaders and workers. The first condition for this cooperation is maintaining people's confidence. To do that, we must act, speak, and behave according to the will of the people," he said.

The BNP leader acknowledged that some party leaders and activists might be making mistakes and must be corrected. "We must stay alert and warn them, and in some cases, we must take firmer action."

Tarique said people's confidence is the most precious asset of any political party, its leaders, and its activists. "We will lose everything if we lose the people's confidence. So, let's pledge to preserve it. If we sit idle at home thinking that people already trust the BNP, that confidence will gradually erode."

Correct Yourselves

Tarique called upon his party colleagues to correct themselves first to retain people's confidence and fight against extortion, corruption and immoral activities.

"Correct yourselves first and then tell others to amend them. Otherwise, there's no point of talking big (about eliminating immoral activities and extortion," he said.

Two leaders drew Tarique's attention to various immoral activities and extortion by some party leaders, and asked whether the BNP would take steps for forming a commission or a body to take action if the any of its leaders and workers indulge in inhumane, anti-social and extortion or other misdeeds using the influence of the party.

Responding to the question, Tarique, said. "If any of you has done such an immoral act, correct yourself first. We may have some bad people in our party, who are doing bad and immoral things. We have already taken action against many of them.

He said their party is taking all out organisational actions whenever it receives any such complaint against anyone.

Even the BNP leader said they are taking extreme measures by urging the administration with written complaints against those who belong to the BNP are doing excess. "The key is to correct you first, and then encourage others to do the same."

Tarique urged the party rank and file to refrain from doing anything that undermines the public confidence in BNP.

He said their party wants stability to restore in Bangladesh promptly so that the existing problems can be addressed properly.​

 

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BNP front wings march towards Indian mission, urge action

Police stopped the joint procession of the affiliated organisations of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party near Rampura Bridge on Sunday as it was marching towards the Indian high commission in Dhaka from the party’s central office at Naya Paltan...

www.newagebd.net

BNP front wings march towards Indian mission, urge action
Staff Correspondent 08 December, 2024, 12:19

The police stop the joint procession of the affiliated organisations of Bangladesh Nationalist Party near Rampura Bridge on Sunday while marching towards the Indian high commission in Dhaka, protesting against the recent anti-Bangladesh incidents in India. | Sony Ramani

Police stopped the joint procession of the affiliated organisations of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party near Rampura Bridge on Sunday as it was marching towards the Indian high commission in Dhaka from the party’s central office at Naya Paltan.

Several thousand leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal started the march at about 11:30am in front of the party’s central office at Naya Paltan.

With this large procession, the countrywide protests against the attack on Bangladesh assistant high commission in India’s Agartala rolled into the seventh consecutive day on Sunday.

Huge traffic congestions were created due to the march and people suffered immensely as the blockade near Rampura Bridge created backlog till Malibagh in the south and Natun Bazar in the north.

Later, a six-member delegation from the three BNP associate bodies submitted a memorandum to the Indian high commission at about 1:05pm to register their protests against the recent anti-Bangladesh incidents in the neighbouring country.

The delegation consisted of Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Juba Dal central president Monayem Munna, its general secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Swechchhasebak Dal president SM Jilani and general secretary Rajib Ahsan.

The demands in the memorandum include a thorough investigation into the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala and appropriate punitive measures against the perpetrators, to ensure safety and security of all Bangladesh diplomatic missions and personnel in India and stopping misinformation on Bangladesh by leveraging their media.

Members of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, police and Coast Guard members were seen deployed in and around Indian high commission in Dhaka.

Law enforcers and security agency members block road at Bashtola area near Indian high commission and neither vehicle nor people were allowed on the road.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Gulshan Division deputy commissioner Mohammad Tareq Mahmud told New Age that they had increased the security in and around Indian high commission considering the BNP’s march.

‘We have been taking special security measures centering Indian high commission since Tuesday and it will be continued until further notice,’ he said.

Earlier, addressing a short rally in front of the BNP’s central office before the march, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the Indian ruling party’s ploy to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh was nothing but direct aggression.

‘You [Indian government] do not like the people of Bangladesh. You do not respect the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh,’ he said.

Rizvi unequivocally said that 180 million people of Bangladesh were prepared to resist Delhi’s hegemony.

The Bangladesh mission in Agartala came under attack in the afternoon of December 2 by a group of Indians during their protests demanding the release of Hindu community leader in Bangladesh Chinmoy Krishna Das, now in jail in a sedition case.​

 

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BNP’s associate bodies submit memorandum to Indian mission

BNP’s associate bodies submit memorandum to Indian mission

The memorandum was submitted protesting the attack on the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala

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