United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has expressed deep concern over the severe fertilizer crisis across the country, warning that it has put the cultivation of Aman rice at extreme risk. "We are observing with deep concern that the fertilizer crisis has severely jeopardized Aman cultivation. It has also put the production and yield of seasonal vegetables and other crops at risk," Parwar said in a statement to the press circulated Monday. “Farmers are suffering like this due to the government's failed and shortsighted agricultural policies,” he alleged. Accusing the incumbent government of failing to implement sustainable agricultural policies, he said, “We strongly condemn and protest against this harassment of farmers and the government's failure to ensure an adequate supply of fertilizer for cultivation.” He alleged that marginalized farmers are being deprived of fertilizer according to their requirements due to the government's mismanagement. Citing media reports, the Jamaat leader claimed, “Ruling party-backed dealers and activists are scheming to sell fertilizer at excessive prices.” “This has placed the burden of additional production costs on the shoulders of the farmers, which is not helpful to ensuring the country's food security and stability," he said. He said farmers have already staged demonstrations and blocked highways in Rajshahi, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram demanding adequate fertilizer supply. He also mentioned recent media reports regarding the looting of fertilizer from warehouses and the confinement of field workers of the agriculture department. “These incidents are highly alarming and reflect the severity of the crisis. If immediate steps are not taken to resolve the issue and protect the farmers' interests, the situation may become even more complex, and the government will not be able to avoid its responsibility,” he added. Parwar further accused ruling party syndicates of creating an artificial crisis in various areas to maximize profits. He also said,” While fertilizer remains unavailable at authorized dealer points, it is being sold openly in the market at excessively high prices.” He urged the government to take swift and effective measures to break the syndicates at all levels, put an end to the harassment of farmers, and ensure an uninterrupted supply of fertilizer to keep the country's agricultural production and food security intact.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said people are not viewing the opposition’s long march and other street programmes positively as the government has been in office for only six months. “You are holding long march and various programmes before even six months have passed. Instead of constructively criticising what the government is doing according to its pledges, you, as the opposition, have started showing your presence on the streets. The people are not taking this positively; they are not viewing it favourably,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while talking to reporters at BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan. Asked about the Jamaat-e-Islami ameer’s claim during Saturday’s long march that the government has failed to run the country in its first six months, Rizvi said the government has five years to govern. “He is saying the government has failed to run the country. You should ask people from different professions and walks of life in this country, in what way and in which area has it failed?” he said. Rizvi urged the opposition to follow democratic practices by raising issues both inside and outside Parliament. “You speak quite well in Parliament at times, I see. But as soon as you come outside, it is completely different. The language you use is neither parliamentary, nor civilised or decent,” he said.  “You can speak inside Parliament, and you can also organise programmes outside Parliament. You can hold discussions, meetings and rallies and point out the government’s mistakes and shortcomings. That will make the government more cautious,” he said. He said if the opposition had any alternative proposal regarding gas and fuel, it could have discussed it in Parliament, explaining how the government should address the issue and what its alternative proposal was. “They have not said anything, backed by data, statistics or other information, about through which route and how fuel can be brought in. They have not spoken like a responsible opposition does in developed democracies,” Rizvi said. “Instead of pointing out mistakes and shortcomings, you have adopted a different approach, which I believe is an attempt to destroy the democratic framework, the young plant of democracy that is beginning to grow,” Rizvi said. Rizvi said the opposition’s long march and other programmes are aimed at overshadowing positive changes in various sectors of the government and upward trends in development and production indicators. “They have taken these programmes to cover up these positive aspects and the positive changes taking place in various sectors of the government. I would say they are adopting a very anti-people character through these statements and activities, while encouraging wrongdoing, illegality and obscenity,” he said. Rizvi also asked BNP leaders and activists across the country to remove all billboards and signboards installed as part of the party’s 48th founding anniversary programmes.  

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Saturday warned opposition parties against threatening the BNP with a one-point movement, asserting that today's BNP is a political party born from 17 years of street struggles. Addressing a pre-rally gathering marking the BNP’s 48th founding anniversary, Annie criticized the opposition’s relentless protests over the past six months. He equated the NCP with Jamaat-e-Islami, stating their long march speeches mirror fascist rhetoric. "Everyone desires a beautiful Bangladesh. We successfully held elections, yet they launched protests heading toward a one-point movement," Annie said. He added that resolving utility crises within six months is impossible, noting that public suffering over gas and electricity shortages could have been resolved faster if the interim government had taken charge of the work. He claimed the public rejected the long march due to low participation. The rally paraded from Adarsha Samad Mor to Lillah Jame Masjid field, attended by District BNP Joint Convener Advocate Hasibur Rahman and Member Secretary Sahab Uddin Sabu.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas on Saturday warned that conspiracies are being hatched both within and outside the party, urging Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to remain cautious and ensure that no one could damage the party’s image. Speaking at a discussion marking the BNP’s 48th founding anniversary at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium, Abbas told Tarique that “many things are happening” that may not always reach his ears. “There are conspiracies against this party. They are coming from within the party as well as from outside. We have to keep an eye on this,” he said. Abbas, a political adviser to the Prime Minister, urged party leaders and activists to inform the BNP Chairman of anything they learn that could affect the party. “Some leaders and activists speak very nicely in front of you, but they do not speak nicely outside. You should be a little cautious about these matters,” he said, addressing Tarique. The BNP leader also cautioned that some individuals are tarnishing the BNP’s image through their words and actions. “Your good works are being destroyed by the bad words and bad deeds of some bad people. Please keep an eye on this,” he said. Abbas, who returned home on September 2 after receiving treatment abroad for around five and a half months, attended the programme in a wheelchair despite not having fully recovered. He urged party leaders and activists to protect the BNP’s reputation. “Whatever you do or do not do, please keep the party alive. This party will keep the country alive,” he said. Abbas said the BNP had survived 48 years despite persecution, imprisonment and attacks against its leaders. “This party has not come to die or break apart. The party cannot be defamed because of one or two people,” he said. Paying tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Abbas said the BNP represented the spirit of independence, democracy and people’s rights. “BNP is not merely the name of a political party. BNP means the spirit of independence, BNP means democracy, BNP means people’s rights,” he said. The BNP leader called on party leaders and activists to remain united and strengthen Tarique’s hands to build a Bangladesh centred on the people. “Many storms have come, but we did not break. We faced persecution, but we did not bow our heads,” Abbas said. ‘Many conspiracies against Tarique’ Abbas directly warned Tarique that he could face further conspiracies. “Many conspiracies are being hatched against this party, and many more will be. Many conspiracies will be hatched against you, our leader. Please remain cautious,” he said. The BNP leader said he will share details of such matters with Tarique if asked privately. He also referred to the deaths of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia while stressing the need for caution. Abbas, visibly emotional, said he has deep affection for the BNP and has no intention of leaving the party. “I love this party very much.” He recalled that he entered politics under Ziaur Rahman and received Khaleda Zia’s affection and support. “I came into politics through the hands of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, received the affection of Deshnetri Khaleda Zia, and I want to end my political life by doing politics with you,” Abbas told Tarique. He said he might not always be able to remain as active as before because of his age and physical condition, but there was no reason for him to move away from Tarique or the BNP. “I will end my politics in BNP, InshaAllah.” The discussion was chaired by BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and moderated by BNP Publicity Secretary and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku. BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Economist Mahbub Ullah, BNP Standing Committee members Amanullah Aman, Farhad Halim and Ismail Zabihullah, among others, spoke at the programme. BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and AZM Zahid Hossain were also present.

BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council member and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday accused the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of plotting to create instability in the country through street programmes such as a long march. Speaking at a roundtable discussion in the capital, he urged the country’s people to remain vigilant about attempts to take parliamentary debates to the streets unnecessarily. Swapon joins as PM’s political adviser “Political parties may not fully understand what they are doing. But various domestic and foreign forces remain ready to exploit any unstable situation,” the adviser said. Swapon said programmes like a long march are contrary to the aspirations of ordinary people at a time when Parliament is functioning satisfactorily. “I believe such a programme in the name of movement, when the National Parliament is functioning satisfactorily, goes against the aspirations of the people,” he said. The roundtable, titled “Review of the First 180 Days of Bangladesh’s Democratic Government: The Context of Governance, Accountability and Development,” was organised by Citizen Forum Bangladesh and Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Initiatives (BCAI) at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium. Reviewing the government’s first 180 days, Swapon said it has succeeded in setting a new direction for the country after pulling it out of the severe deadlock caused by two decades of authoritarian practices, a fragile social structure and a bankrupt economy. “The crisis is so deep that no magical change is possible overnight. However, the government has already taken specific policy measures to ensure sustainable growth in the long run,” he said. On the energy crisis, the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser blamed what he described as long-term import dependence and flawed policies in the power and energy sectors. “Due to long-term import dependence and wrong policies, the country is now struggling in essential sectors like power and energy. Failing to take sustainable measures to extract natural resources despite remaining in power for so long was not merely corruption; it was a long-term betrayal of the nation,” he said. Swapon said the government is not trying to avoid responsibility by merely talking about the crisis. “Rather, the Prime Minister has sincerely apologised to  people and is implementing initiatives to explore alternative sources and extract our own gas,” he said. The adviser said the government is also focusing on creating new sources of imports alongside China and India, reducing import costs and diversifying export products to restore good governance and provide economic relief. Referring to the role of an effective Parliament, Swapon said the tendency to quickly take parliamentary debates to the streets undermined democratic political culture. “Although parliamentary politics provides an opportunity to hold the government accountable through checks and balances, the tendency to quickly take parliamentary debates to the streets hinders democratic culture,” he said. Swapon said it is the responsibility of the opposition to hold the government accountable while making parliamentary democracy more dynamic and meaningful. UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed chaired the discussion moderated by Dr. Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha. Former Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Professor Kamrul Ahsan, human rights activist Shirin Huq, and politicians, academics and researchers, among others, spoke at the event.

11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami began a long march from the capital toward Chattogram on Saturday morning, to press home a six-point demand including the implementation of the “people's verdict in the February 12 referendum, trial of July 2024 mass killings, and resolution of the multi-dimensional energy crisis”. The alliance is also demanding measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to extortion and corruption, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. The rally began at 7:00am at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. The programme opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, delivered the opening remarks. Top leaders of the alliance addressed the rally. Following speeches by the alliance's senior leaders, including opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the long march convoy left for Chattogram. The first roadside rally will be held near the truck stand by the Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj, followed by rallies at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni and Mirsarai and the final rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. The long march will conclude with a public rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. Jamaat Secretary General and Long March Implementation Committee Convener Mia Golam Parwar on Friday urged the government to provide all necessary administrative cooperation to ensure the success of what he described as the largest peaceful political programme of the opposition. He warned that if any government party or anyone creates an adverse situation during the long march, they would lose further public trust and face public anger. He clarified that delegates participating in the long march would not get down from their vehicles to join the roadside rallies. Local party units will organise those rallies. He said vehicles in the procession would carry stickers and no vehicle would be allowed to join the procession. Media vehicles will also be allowed to join the procession to cover the programme, he said. Talking about their demands, he said although six months had passed since the formation of the government, it had not taken any initiative to implement the people's verdict given in the referendum.  

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Friday said the '1/11' episode was a deep-rooted conspiracy designed specifically to target Bangladesh and the BNP. Addressing a discussion organised by the Narsingdi district unit of BNP as the chief guest, Moyeen Khan said the conspiracy was hatched because the BNP believes in nationalist policies and acts out of a deep sense of love for the country.  The discussion meeting was held at the Weaving Board Institute's auditorium in the Saheprotab area of Narsingdi town to mark the BNP's 48th founding anniversary. In Bangladesh's political discourse, the military's intervention just eleven days prior to a general election on January 11, 2007 is referred to as '1/11'. "Bangladesh and the BNP are synonymous," Khan said. "There was a blueprint during the One-Eleven period to remove the BNP and turn Bangladesh into a subservient state under others. As a consequence, today's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was forced to live in exile for 17 years. However, justice has finally been served today." The minister remarked that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working tirelessly day and night to rebuild the nation from the ruins of the last 17 years of destruction. Emphasizing that the BNP does not believe in the politics of vengeance, Khan asserted that the party only seeks justice. "Our Prime Minister has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile and was elected prime minister through the direct votes of the people in a free, fair and neutral election," he said. He added that the government is fully committed to delivering fair and neutral local government elections, spanning from city corporations down to union parishads. Presided over by BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi-1 (Sadar) MP Khairul Kabir Khokon, the program was moderated by Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur) MP and District BNP General Secretary Monzur Elahi. The event was also attended by BNP Self-Reliance Affairs Secretary and Reserved Seat MP Adv. Shirin Sultana, Raipura MP Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bokul, Narsingdi District Council Administrator Tofazzal Hossain Master, among other local leaders.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas on Friday visited his family graveyard in Shahjahanpur after offering Jummah prayers at a local mosque and offered Fateha at his parents’ graves. His personal assistant Mizanur Rahman Sohel said Abbas went to the family graveyard after offering the Juma prayers at a mosque in Shahjahanpur. Mirza Abbas pays tribute to Zia, Khaleda at their graves “He visited the graves of his parents and offered Fateha and a munajat, seeking the forgiveness of their souls and their eternal peace,” Sohel said. Mirza Abbas returned home from Malaysia last Wednesday after undergoing treatment there for five and a half months. On Thursday night, he visited the graves of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and paid his respects.

The 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami will observe a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on Saturday, to press home a six-point demand, including the implementation of the people's verdict in the February 12 referendum, trial of the July 2024 mass killings, and resolution of the multi-dimensional energy crisis. The alliance is also demanding measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to extortion and corruption, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. 11-party alliance backs march to Parliament over enforced disappearances Jamaat Secretary General and Long March Implementation Committee Convener Mia Golam Parwar on Friday urged the government to provide all necessary administrative cooperation to ensure the success of what he described as the largest peaceful political programme of the opposition. He warned that if any government party or anyone creates an adverse situation during the long march, they would lose further public trust and face public anger. “We hope that the government and anyone from the ruling party will not take such an unwise step,” he said, while briefing reporters after a final preparatory meeting. The meeting was held at 11am at Jamaat's central office in the city’s Moghbazar area to finalise preparations for the programme. Golam Parwar said preparations for Saturday's programme had already been completed and around 1,500 vehicles were expected to join the long march. The inaugural rally will begin at 7am at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka, while rallies will be held at a number of points along the route. The first roadside rally will be held near the truck stand by the Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj, followed by rallies at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni and Mirsarai and the final rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. “We have so far received information that a huge number of people will join there (the final rally in Laldighi Maidan),” said Golam Parwar. He clarified that delegates participating in the long march would not get down from their vehicles to join the roadside rallies. Local party units will organise those rallies. He said vehicles in the procession would carry stickers and no vehicle would be allowed to join the procession. Media vehicles will also be allowed to join the procession to cover the programme, he said. The Jamaat leader said the opposition has continued to play a systematic, constructive and responsible role both inside and outside Parliament since the formation of the government following the 13th parliamentary election. Talking about their demands, he said although six months had passed since the formation of the government, it had not taken any initiative to implement the people's verdict given in the referendum. “Rather, it has turned away from implementing the people's verdict,” he said. Noting that they are dreaming of building their dream of Bangladesh, he said, “We are not waging any movement to overthrow the government. Our demand, as well as the people's demand, is that you accept the people's verdict in the referendum. Accept our six-point demands,” he said. Golam Parwar stressed for maintaining political tolerance between the ruling and opposition parties following the 2024 July political change. “Let it now be proven that there is mutual tolerance between the opposition and ruling parties and that we have come out of the negative culture of political violence,” he said. He said the alliance did not anticipate any sabotage during the programme and expressed confidence that the long march could be held peacefully without causing any loss of life or property. The Jamaat leader expected thousands of people to greet the long march from both sides of the road. The final preparatory meeting was attended, among others, by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and 11-party alliance Coordinator AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Jagpa spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday said the government has succeeded in ensuring freedom of religion for people of all faiths during its first six months in office, and called on his fellow citizens to look beyond cliched concepts such as 'communal harmony', and unite under one single identity as Bangladeshis.   “We have ensured religious practices and freedom for all religions over the past six months since coming to office. This is visible,” he said. Home Minister wants to move beyond 'communal harmony' as govt ensures freedom of religion He said everyone should live in Bangladesh as equal citizens regardless of their religious identity. The Home Minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the historic central Janmashtami procession organised by Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, at the premises of Shri Shri Dhakeshwari National Temple in the capital. He said those who previously believed that the votes of the country’s Sanatan faith followers constituted a vote bank for a particular political party, indicating the Awami League without naming them, had now been proven wrong. “You have shattered that misconception, that myth. Because we all say: religion belongs to individuals, the state belongs to everyone, and everyone has the right to security,” Salahuddin said. He said the Prime Minister held a national state ceremony on Thursday marking Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna. “We believe you have judged the matter. In the last election, you voted against the evil forces. You will continue to play a role in strengthening democracy and maintaining secularism in the future as well,” he said. “The Constitution of Bangladesh entrusts the state with the responsibility of ensuring the religious practices and religious freedom of people of all faiths. It says the state will ensure this. It also says there can be no discrimination on the basis of religion,” he said. He said the Constitution also guarantees the freedom of followers of all religions to establish places of worship and the freedom of those responsible for such places. “We do not want to simply keep these provisions in the books or in the Constitution. In reality, we will ensure this harmony and this freedom, and we have made that declaration. So far, we have provided that assurance. The verdict is yours; you are the judges,” the Home Minister said. He said everyone should live in Bangladesh as equal citizens regardless of their religious identity. “We want to live here as citizens. We may have religious identities, but religious identity is not the main issue here. We want to live here with our identity as citizens,” he said. “All citizens of Bangladesh, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and people belonging to ethnic communities, whoever they may be, will freely maintain and observe their respective religious practices, religious ceremonies and religious freedom. But as a nationality, we will all remain citizens of Bangladesh, and there will be harmony among us. This will be our one identity,” he said. Referring to BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's ethos, Salahuddin said, “Our leader Tarique Rahman has said, ‘Bangladesh First.’  “If Bangladesh comes first, then we are Bangladeshis first. After that come our religious, social and ethnic identities. Bangladeshis first, Bangladesh for everyone, Bangladesh first, this is our policy,” he said. “Many expect different kinds of statements from me, but I expect one thing, I hope none of you will identify yourselves as minorities as free citizens of Bangladesh,” he said. “We hope you will all identify yourselves not on the basis of religion but on the basis of citizenship. Everyone will say that they are citizens of Bangladesh enjoying equal rights,” he said, asking the participants whether such an expectation could be made. The Home Minister also suggested replacing the term “communal harmony” with “religious and social harmony”. “We use the term ‘communal harmony’ grammatically because the term has come down in literature with the idea that communal harmony must be maintained. It would be better if we said, ‘We will maintain social and religious harmony’, that would be more appropriate,” he said. “There is no need to mention the term ‘communal harmony’ anymore. We will maintain religious harmony, coexistence, and social peace and harmony,” he said. The colourful rally was inaugurated by the Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam. The programme was chaired by Shri Gopal Chandra Debnath, president of the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Udjapan Committee.