[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

Saif · Dec 11, 2024

BNP wings’ march vows to protect sovereignty

The long March by the associate bodies of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party towards India’s Agartala from Dhaka protesting at the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala ended at the Akhaura land port in a rally on Wednesday...

www.newagebd.net

BNP wings’ march vows to protect sovereignty
Staff Correspondent 11 December, 2024, 10:20

Left, leaders and activists of three associate bodies of Bangladesh Nationalist Party attend a rally at Paltan in the capital before bringing out a long march towards Akhaura, close to India’s Agartala, protesting at the attack on a Bangladesh mission in India, and, right, members of Border Guard Bangladesh march in Akhaura Land Port area to keep law and order situation under control centring the long march from Dhaka on Wednesday. | Md Saurav / Focus Bangla photo

The long March by the associate bodies of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party towards India’s Agartala from Dhaka protesting at the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala ended at the Akhaura land port in a rally on Wednesday.

The concluding rally, jointly organised by BNP’s three associate bodies— Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal—was held in the afternoon on the day just about 250 metres away from the Bangladesh-India Operation Zero Line. Speakers at the event slammed the attack on Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala state and desecration of Bangladesh’s national flag.

Both the Indian and Bangladesh authorities tightened security measures over the long march with a huge number of Border Guard Bangladesh and police personnel in uniform and plainclothes deployed in the border areas to prevent any untoward situation, according to New Age correspondent in Brahmanbaria and the Indian media.

Retired police officials, meanwhile, brought out a protest procession and held a rally in front of the National Press Club in the capital on the day, protesting at India’s dominance and aggression in Bangladesh.

Leaders and activists of BNP’s associated bodies in many places, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Narsingdi and Narayanganj, joined the long march with over 2,000 microbuses and private cars.

After holding a short rally in front of the BNP’s central office in the capital’s Naya Paltan, the march began at about 9:10am and reached Akhaura land port via Motijheel, Mayor Hanif Flyover, Chittagong Road, Kanchpur, Tarabo, Madhabdi, Pachdona, Bholanagar, Marjal, Baroicha and Bhairab.

‘I strongly condemn the attack on Bangladesh mission in Agartala as the Indian authority failed to provide security,’ Juba Dal president Abdul Monayem Munna said, addressing the rally as chief guest at Akhaura land port.

He said that the country’s people would not compromise under the leadership of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman in the question of national sovereignty.

He also condemned the Indian government saying that it had patronised fascist Sheikh Hasina in the past over 15 years and the same government was also hatching a conspiracy against Bangladesh.

Protests spread in Dhaka as elsewhere across the country hours after the Bangladesh mission in Agartala came under attack by a group of Indians on December 2 during their protests, demanding the release of Hindu community leader in Bangladesh Chinmoy Krishna Das, now in jail in a sedition case.

The BNP bodies also held a rally at Bhairab before going to Akhaura land port while leaders and activists joined the long march in throughout the journey.

Addressing a short rally as the chief guest while inaugurating the long march in Dhaka, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvy said that India was trying to sustain the ‘lady vampire’, apparently speaking about the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

‘We have bought the independence with blood sacrifice. We will not surrender our independence to India,’ he said.

He said that although India was a democratic country, it did not want democracy in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

‘Delhi wants to control the neighbouring countries,’ he added.

Bangladesh Retired Police Officers’ Welfare Association brings out a procession, protesting at Indian aggression, on Topkhana Road in Dhaka on Wednesday. — New Age photo

The traffic around Nayapaltan remained halted for about two hours since 7:45am due to presence of several thousand leaders and activists of the party’s associate bodies.

BNP associate bodies started gathering at Naya Paltan with small processions since 7:00am.

Chairing the rally, Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib said that India kept continuing its conspiracies after Sheikh Hasina fled there on August 5 driven by a student-led mass uprising.

Juba Dal general secretary Nurul Islam Noyon said that his organisation was ready to resist India’s conspiracy.

Speakers also slammed Indian media outlets for spreading rumours about Bangladesh.

At the rally organised by the Bangladesh Retired Police Officers’ Welfare Association, speakers said that India supported the fascist Awami League regime to take economic and political advantages and stood against the people of Bangladesh by providing shelter to fallen Hasina.

Retired inspector general of police AKM Shahidul Haque said that Indian dominance and aggression would not be tolerated.

‘We know how to fight for independence and sovereignty,’ said Shahidul.

The organisation’s acting president and retired deputy inspector general of police M Akbar Ali said that the people of Bangladesh had not fought in the War of Independence to serve Indian interests.

The protest procession began in front of the Rajarbagh Police Lines marched to the National Press Club parading through Shantinagar, Kakrail and Segunbagicha. The programme concluded with handing over a memorandum to the foreign ministry.

Besides, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party also organised a protest rally in front of the National Press Club slamming India’s malicious activities against Bangladesh.

Saif · Dec 12, 2024

BNP criticises Adviser Nahid over remarks on political parties

BNP yesterday slammed Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam for accusing political parties of trying to fail the interim government, warning that such inappropriate statements can create a rift in national unity

www.thedailystar.net

BNP criticises Adviser Nahid over remarks on political parties

BNP yesterday slammed Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam for accusing political parties of trying to fail the interim government, warning that such inappropriate statements can create a rift in national unity.

"I think he (adviser) should not have made such a remark. He didn't say the right thing. It may create a rift in national unity," said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi while speaking at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan office.

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He said it is the main responsibility of the interim government to hold a free, fair, and inclusive election within a short time, which is also the wish of the people.

"But if any contradictory or questionable statements come from their (government's) side, it'll harm national unity," the BNP leader observed.

He said the government can benefit from the criticism made by political parties. "Criticism is an essential element for strengthening democracy. You can't deny this element."

Rizvi also said country's democratic political parties have set an example of unity amid local and international conspiracies. "You (the government) must take this into consideration."

He said the political parties are urging the government to arrange elections after completing the reforms within a reasonable time.

"Is the election different from other elements of democracy? In fact, the election is the most important democratic practice," the BNP leader mentioned.

He said the government should not ignore the political parties' demand.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam reportedly said political parties are prioritising the election over reforms.

During a meeting at the Secretariat with a delegation from British Global Partners Governance (GPG), the adviser also mentioned that political parties are attempting to make the interim government fail.

Saif · Dec 13, 2024

Fakhrul asks Nahid to withdraw his comment on political parties

On Wednesday, the information adviser reportedly said political parties are trying to make the interim government fail

www.thedailystar.net

Fakhrul asks Nahid to withdraw his comment on political parties

File photo

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today protested Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam's accusation that political parties were trying to undermine the interim government and demanded the statement be withdrawn.

"I don't know why or in what context he said this, or whether he understood the meaning of it. This is a dangerous statement. I strongly protest against it. I think he should withdraw his comment," he told a discussion.

The BNP organised the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day, set to be observed across the country tomorrow.

Fakhrul called upon the interim government to be cautious in making its statements. "Please don't make political parties your opponents."

He said the students, people, and political parties, including the BNP, have all entrusted the interim government with the responsibility to create an environment in which a fair election can be held and a people's government and parliament can be established.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam reportedly said political parties are prioritising elections over reforms.

During a meeting at the Secretariat with a delegation from British Global Partners Governance (GPG), the adviser also mentioned that political parties are attempting to make the interim government fail.

Saif · Dec 13, 2024

Let’s fulfil the martyrs’ vision

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday called for a pluralistic political system and restoration of democracy in the country in line with the aspirations of the martyred intellectuals who were killed ahead of the country’s independence in 1971.

www.thedailystar.net

Let’s fulfil the martyrs’ vision
Tarique calls on countrymen

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday called for a pluralistic political system and restoration of democracy in the country in line with the aspirations of the martyred intellectuals who were killed ahead of the country's independence in 1971.

In a statement on the eve of Martyred Intellectuals' Day, Tarique said, "On this day, we pay solemn tribute to the memories of the country's greatest sons who were martyred for standing up for freedom and justice."

He said the local collaborators of the invading army carried out the massacre to make independent Bangladesh meritless.

He lamented, saying that the country had veered away from its democratic aspirations post-independence.

"Just after victory, the undemocratic forces removed their masks and started undermining the universal democratic rights of the people one after another, as did the Pakistani occupation forces.

He said the undemocratic moves weakened the independence and sovereignty of the newly born country, which the people got in exchange for "a river of blood".

Tarique said following that tradition, the Awami fascists in the last 15 years sent democracy into exile and dashed the hope of a united nation by extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and sowing divisions among the people.

"Instead of fostering democratic development and transforming the country into a prosperous, self-reliant, and strong state, a system of one-party misrule was established," he said.

He urged all to unite and "practice real democracy" in the changed political situation after the ouster of the Awami League government.

"We have to restore the rule of law, establish an independent judiciary, and a pluralistic political system," he said, urging all to take inspiration from the martyred intellectuals.

"I call upon the countrymen -- let's work together to build a Bangladesh in line with the expectations of the martyred intellectuals," he added.

Saif · Dec 13, 2024

Fakhrul urges govt not to make political parties opponents

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged the government not to make political parties its opponents.

www.newagebd.net

Fakhrul urges govt not to make political parties opponents
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 14 December, 2024, 00:58

New Age photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged the government not to make political parties its opponents.

He also protested information and broadcasting adviser Nahid Islam’s accusation that political parties were trying to undermine the interim government and demanded the statement be withdrawn.

‘I don’t know why or in what context he [adviser Nahid] said this, or whether he understood the meaning of it. This is a dangerous allegation. I strongly condemn and protest against it. I think he should withdraw his comment,’ he told a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Fakhrul called upon the interim government to be cautious in making its statements. ‘Please don’t make political parties your opponents.’

He said that students, people, and political parties, including the BNP, had all entrusted the interim government with the responsibility to create an environment in which a fair election could be held and a people’s government and parliament could be established.

‘Political parties are supporting you [government], but you’re claiming they are working to make you fail. We have stated this countless times, and our acting chairman has also said that the failure of this government would mean the failure of people and us. So, why do you make such statements?’ the BNP leader asked.

He said that the government and democratic forces had to be very cautious with their words and actions.

‘We shouldn’t say anything that undermines our victory or destroys our achievements. This is the most critical time—one wrong step could lead to a setback, causing you to fall into a ditch,’ Fakhrul cautioned.

He said that the fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh and took refuge in India, was actively working against the interests of the country. The Awami League leaders and workers were continuously engaging in false propaganda and spreading misinformation against the country using social media.

The BNP leader urged his party colleagues to be active on social media, countering the misinformation with facts and intellectual discourse.

He said that BNP leaders and workers had to continue their efforts to institutionalise democracy and establish a healthy democratic political culture in Bangladesh.

‘There is still much work ahead of us. Many people believe their job is done now as Hasina has fled, but we have a long way to go before we can make democracy both a culture and a system. Let’s take an oath that we will build ourselves into worthy citizens of the country and dedicated democratic workers,’ Fakhrul said.

He said that democracy was not just a notion but a culture. ‘We must learn how to speak, how to behave, how to interact with our neighbours, and how to engage with our political opponents in a democratic way. Democracy does not mean cutting someone’s throat for supporting the Awami League or BNP. Democracy means absolute tolerance.’

Fakhrul also expressed concern over a current tendency to overshadow the 1971 Liberation War by glorifying the recent mass upsurge.

‘I believe this is part of a larger conspiracy to distance the nation from its original history. We see this as a distortion of history, and we must be careful about it,’ he added.