Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

Bangladesh

Bangladesh renews ‘except for Israel’ inscription on passports, Maldives bans Israelis instead

2025-04-17

[IsraelTimes] Announcement comes a day after 100,000 protested against Israel in Dhaka; Muslim-majority country removed text in 2021 but maintained its non-recognition policy on Israel

Bangladesh has restored an "except Israel" inscription on passports, local media reported Sunday, effectively barring its citizens from traveling to Israel.

Israel is a flashpoint issue in Moslem-majority Bangladesh, which does not recognize it.

The phrase "valid for all countries except Israel," which was printed on Bangladeshi passports for decades, was removed in 2021 during the later years of ousted prime minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina
...Bangla dynastic politician and now exiled former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia showed such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums. That is probably because Khaleda's late husband was the Pak tool who had Mujib assassinated...
’s tenure. However,
there's more than one way to skin a cat...
Hasina’s government at the time clarified that the country’s stance on Israel had not changed.

Nilima Afroze, a deputy secretary at the home ministry, told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency on Sunday that authorities had "issued a directive last week" to restore the inscription.

"The director general of the department of immigration and passport was asked to take necessary measures to implement this change," local newspaper The Daily Star quoted Afroze as saying Sunday.

The Bengladeshi population’s support for an independent Paleostinian state was visible on Saturday when around 100,000 people gathered in Dhaka in solidarity with Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response...
Demonstrators beat the images of US President Donald Trump
...dictatorial for repealing some (but not all) of the diktats of his predecessor, misogynistic because he likes pretty girls, homophobic because he doesn't think gender bending should be mandatory, truly a man for all seasons...
, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi because of their support for Israel.

Symbolic coffins and effigies representing civilian casualties in Gaza were also carried during the rally.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former prime minister ~~the loathesome~~ Khaleda Zia
...Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, Pak foil, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ...
, and other Islamist groups and parties expressed their solidarity with the rally.

Maldives bans Israelis to show ‘resolute solidarity’ with Palestinians amid Gaza war

[IsraelTimes] Legislation approved by parliament, ratified by president, and takes immediate effect.

The Maldives, a small Islamic republic of 1,192 strategically located coral islets, is known for its secluded white sandy beaches, shallow turquoise lagoons and Robinson Crusoe-style getaways.

Official data showed that only 59 Israeli tourists visited the archipelago in February, among 214,000 other foreign arrivals. However, nearly 11,000 Israelis visited the luxury tourist hotspot last year, accounting for a tiny 0.6 percent of the Maldives’ total tourist arrivals.

Link

Bangladesh

BNP leader arrested for vandalism

2024-09-23

[NEWAGEBD.NET] The police have arrested an expelled local leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party in connection with an attacks on businesses in Koyra upazila of Khulna.

The arrested Nurul Amin Babul, 40, has recently been expelled as member secretary of Koyra upazila BNP.

Koyra cop shoppe inspector (investigation) Md Shah Alam confirmed the arrest Saturday night.

According to police, a case was filed against 14 people, including Babul, on Saturday in connection with the attacks on some businesses in Koyra Bazar on Thursday, leaving several businessmen injured.

Besides, there are allegations of extortion and grabbing fish enclosures against Babul.

On Thursday, Babul was expelled from all positions of BNP, including his primary membership, due to violations of party discipline.

Link

Bangladesh

'We aim to form a government through free and fair elections'

2024-09-02

[DHAKATRIBUNE] Ruhul Kabir Rizvi continues to be a prominent leader within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), serving as the Senior Joint Secretary General since his election at the party's sixth conference on March 19, 2016.

Rizvi, originally from Kurigram district, is recognized for his academic accomplishments, holding a Master's degree in both Geography and History, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Law from Rajshahi University.

Rizvi's entry into politics began in student activism with the Left-wing Revolutionary Students' Union.

Following the formation of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal
...student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)...
(JCD), the student wing of BNP, he became actively involved, initially serving as the publicity secretary for the Rajshahi University unit.

His leadership capabilities were soon recognized, and he rose to become the president of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

Additionally, Rizvi was elected Vice-President (VP) of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) in the 1989 elections.

His extensive experience in both student politics and the broader national political arena has provided him with a nuanced understanding of Bangladesh's political dynamics.

As a seasoned spokesperson, Rizvi plays a crucial role in articulating BNP's positions on various issues, particularly emphasizing the party's commitment to democratic governance and national development.

Rizvi recently spoke with Dhaka Tribune's Siam Sarower Jamil to discuss the current political situation in Bangladesh, the legitimacy of the interim government, and the BNP's stance on various national issues.

LEGITIMACY OF THE GOVERNMENT
When questioned about the legitimacy of the interim government, Rizvi acknowledged that while some view the government's rise to power as unconventional, it is essential to understand that the government operates with the people's support.

He said: ''The constitution exists for the people, and what matters is that the government has the people's support. This government took power in a unique situation, backed by the people's mandate.''

Rizvi also accused deposed prime minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina
...Bangla dynastic politician and now exiled former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia showed such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums. That is probably because Khaleda's late husband was the Pak tool who had Mujib assassinated...
of manipulating the constitution to establish an authoritarian regime, which he believes has been overcome.

DURATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
Regarding the duration of the interim government's tenure, Rizvi emphasized that it should remain in power only as long as necessary to ensure a stable transition.

He said: ''They will remain in power as long as necessary. The government should initiate reforms as soon as possible, focusing on laying the groundwork for a literate and articulate state. We're willing to give them the time they need, but it shouldn't be prolonged unnecessarily.''

RELATIONS WITH JAMAAT
Despite differing views on the current interim government, Rizvi dismissed any notion of conflict between BNP and its longtime political ally, Jamaat-e-Islami
...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
''BNP has a broader role in this country's politics. We aim to form a new government through free and fair elections. There's no conflict between us,'' he said.

Regarding student movements forming a political party, Rizvi expressed support for a democratic state where all voices could be heard.

CONCERNS OVER SECURITY
When asked about the release of some murderous Moslem leaders and the potential threat to law and order, Rizvi refrained from commenting, saying that these were matters for the legal process and the courts.

He also addressed allegations of BNP leaders and activists being involved in criminal activities following Sheikh Hasina's fall, saying that the party is committed to maintaining discipline and has taken actions against any misconduct.

ANTI-INDIA SENTIMENT
Rizvi clarified BNP's stance on relations with India, denying accusations of anti-India sentiments.

''There's no such thing as being anti-India or pro-India. We protest actions that are against the state. India is our big neighbor, but people are angry for various reasons,'' he explained, pointing out issues like the release of floodwaters affecting Bangladesh.

He also said that BNP has no foreign masters, only friends, and is open to constructive relationships with any country that respects Bangladesh's illusory sovereignty.

PROTECTING MINORITY COMMUNITIES
Responding to concerns about attacks on minority communities after Sheikh Hasina's government fell, Rizvi highlighted the role BNP played in protecting minority homes and temples, asserting that the party stands with all citizens of Bangladesh.

He further reassured that BNP is focused on ensuring the continuity of a democratic government and trusts that the interim government will fulfill its responsibilities in ensuring free and fair elections.

Link

Bangladesh

8 more murder cases filed against Hasina, aides

2024-08-26

Don’t forget to add mopery and dopery on the spaceways — that one’s always good for an extra seven years, even without a shutter gun and matching rounds of bullet.

[NewAgeBD] At least ten more murder cases were filed against ousted prime minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina
...Bangla dynastic politician and now exiled former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia showed such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums. That is probably because Khaleda's late husband was the Pak tool who had Mujib assassinated...
and her aides on Sunday, taking the number of cases filed against her to 66 after the fall of her government on August 5 amid a mass uprising led by students.

Hasina is accused in 56 murder cases, seven cases of genocide and crimes against humanity, one case of shooting at students and public, one case of abduction, and one case of attacking the motorcade of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson ~~the loathesome~~ Khaleda Zia
...Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, Pak foil, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ...
The first murder case was filed against the fallen prime minister on August 13, more than a week after she had resigned and fled to India.

On Sunday, a murder case was filed against Hasina and 48 others for killing Sheikh Ashabul Yeamin, a student of Military Institute of Science and Technology, on July 18 during the movement of the Student Movement Agaisnt Discrimination platform.

Victim's uncle Abdullah-Al Kabir filed an application with the Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Saiful Islam's court appealing to lodge a murder case against the 49 accused.

Accepting the plea, the court ordered the Savar Model police to record the statement of the plaintiff and register the complaint as a First Information Report.

Awami League general secretary and former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, among others, were made accused in the case.

According to the case statement, Yeamin, a student of MIST, was shot from an armoured car while he was attending a peaceful protest rally on July 18.

On the same day, a case was filed against 25 people, including Sheikh Hasina, over the killing of auto-rickshaw driver Babu Mollah in the capital during the recent anti-discrimination student movement.

Masud Rana, brother in-law of victim Babu Mollah, filed the complaint with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

The court, after recording the statement of the complainant, asked the Hatirjheel police to accept the matter as First Information Report.

The other prominent accused in the case include Asaduzzaman Khan, Mohammad A Arafat and Jahangir Kabir Nanak.

According to the case documents, Babu Mollah and Masud Rana went for Jumma prayers on July 19 and when they were returning home after the prayers, the police opened fire on them, killing Babu on the spot.

A case was filed against Sheikh Hasina and 33 others with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court for killing online news portal Dhaka Times journalist Mehedi Hasan near Kazla Toll Plaza on the Mayor Hanif flyover in Jatrabari during quota protests on July 18.

Rizia Begum, 36, filed the case with the court over the death of her nephew.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saddam Hossain asked the Jatrabari police to record the complaint as First Information Report.

Two other cases were also filed with the same magistrate court, in one of which Babul Mia, 42, filed a case against Hasina and 26 others over killing Jisan in Matuail on July 20.

On Sunday, yet another case was filed against Hasina and 27 others over the killing of Md Eusuf Sanowar, a seller of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh products, in the capital during recent student movement on July 20.

Mamunur Rashid, brother-in-law of victim Md Eusuf Sanowar, filed the complaint with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saddam Hossain. The court after recording statement of the complainant, asked the Jatrabari police to accept the matter as FIR.

Obaidul Quader and former law minister Anisul Huq were among other accused in the case.

A case was filed against 13 people, including Sheikh Hasina and erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles director general Aziz Ahmed, over killing BDR Mutiny accused and the force's former deputy assistant director Abdur Rahim in jail custody.

Abdur Rahim's son advocate Abdul Aziz filed the case with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Akteruzzaman.

A murder case was filed against Hasina and 21 others also on Sunday with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court for killing Jasim Uddin, 35, on July 18 in the capital's Uttara.

Link

Bangladesh

Tarique Rahman acquitted in sedition case

2024-08-22

[DHAKATRIBUNE]

Tarique Rahman
...the elder son of former President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, and Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He is the Senior Vice Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His nickname is Pino. There are allegations that Pino took a rakeoff from every foreign investment into the country while Mom was in office...
, acting chairman of BNP has been acquitted by a Noakhali court in a sedition case filed with the court.

Noakhali Additional District and Sessions Judge Court Noman Mohi Uddin passed the order on Wednesday.

Court inspector Md Shah Alam confirmed the matter.

He said that the judge has ordered the officer-in-charge (OC) of Char Jabbar cop shoppe to send back the arrest warrant sent in the name of Tarique Rahman in this case.

Earlier on last Sunday afternoon, BNP leaders and activists of Subarnochar held a procession with brooms and shoes against the plaintiff advocate Omar Faruk to withdraw the false case against Tarique Rahman.

It is reported that in December 2014, Tarique Rahman made a speech about former Prime Minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina
...Bangla dynastic politician and now exiled former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia showed such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums. That is probably because Khaleda's late husband was the Pak tool who had Mujib assassinated...
's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at an event in London.

Subsequently, on February 28, 2015, Advocate Omar Faruk, President of the Subornachar Upazila Awami League and Chairman of Char Jabbar Union, filed a case against Tarique Rahman at the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court.

The court instructed Char Jabbar Police Station to take legal action.

On April 4, 2017, Sub-Inspector (SI) Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan of the cop shoppe submitted the charge sheet to the court.

The court then issued an arrest warrant for Tarique Rahman in this case.

Link

Bangladesh

Curfew imposed in Bangladesh as at least 91 killed in clashes

2024-08-05

[GEO.TV] At least 91 people were killed and hundreds injured in festivities in Bangladesh on Sunday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse tens of thousands of protesters calling for Prime Minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina
...Bangla dynastic politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She has once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia show such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums...
to resign.

The corpse count, which includes at least 13 coppers, was the highest for a single day from any protests in Bangladesh's recent history, surpassing the 67 deaths reported on July 19 when students erupted into the streets to demand the scrapping of quotas for government jobs.

The government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday, the first time it has taken such a step during the current protests that began last month. It also announced a three-day general holiday starting from Monday.

The unrest, which has prompted the government to shut down internet services, is Hasina's biggest test in her 20-year regime after she won a fourth straight term in elections that were boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Critics of Hasina, along with human rights
One man's rights are another man's existential threat.
groups, have accused her government of using excessive force against protesters, a charge she and her ministers deny.

Demonstrators blocked major highways on Sunday as student protesters launched a non-cooperation program to press for the government's resignation, and violence spread nationwide.

"Those who are carrying out violence are not students but snuffies who are out to destabilise the nation," Hasina said after a national security panel meeting, attended by the chiefs of the army, navy, air force, police and other agencies.

"I appeal to our countrymen to suppress these snuffies with a strong hand."

Link

Bangladesh

Bangladesh army enforces curfew as students-led protests spiral, death toll reaches at least 105

2024-07-21

[NY Post] Bangladesh soldiers patrolled the deserted streets of the capital, Dhaka, on Saturday during a curfew meant to quell deadly student-led protests against government job quotas that have killed at least 105 people this week.

A suspension on internet and text message services has remained in place since Thursday, cutting off Bangladesh from the world as police cracked down on protests that have continued despite a ban on public gatherings.

Overseas telephone calls mostly failed to connect, while the websites of Bangladesh-based media organizations did not update, and their social media handles remained inactive.

In addition to the deaths, the clashes have injured thousands, according to data from hospitals across Bangladesh. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital received 27 dead bodies between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday.

For five days, police have fired tear gas and hurled sound grenades to scatter protesters as demonstrators clashed with security personnel, throwing bricks and igniting vehicles.

The demonstrations — the biggest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for a fourth successive term this year — have also been fuelled by high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of the South Asian nation’s 170 million people.

With the death toll climbing and police unable to contain the protests, Hasina’s government imposed the national curfew and deployed the military.

The curfew was eased for two hours from noon on Saturday to allow people to shop for supplies and complete other chores, television channels reported.

It will last until 10 a.m. on Sunday, when the government will assess the situation and decide the next course of action, the reports added.

Those venturing out on the streets had their identification cards inspected by army personnel at different check points, TV footage showed.

The nationwide unrest broke out over student anger against the controversial quotas for government jobs, including 30% for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan.

Hasina’s government had scrapped the quota system in 2018, but a court reinstated it last month.

The state appealed against the reinstatement and the Supreme Court suspended it for a month, pending a hearing on Aug. 7.

In the central Dhaka district of Narsingdi, protesters stormed a jail on Friday and freed over 850 inmates before setting fire to the facility, TV channels reported, citing police. Scattered incidents of arson were also reported on Saturday.

Hasina dropped plans to leave on Sunday for visits to Spain and Brazil due to the protests, the AFP news agency reported, citing her press secretary.

Many opposition party leaders, activists and student protesters had been arrested, said Tarique Rahman, the exiled acting chairman of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Police arrested Nahid Islam, a leading coordinator of the students’ agitation, at 2 a.m. on Saturday, the protesters said in a text message.

Link

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s one-sided election leaves some voters asking, ‘What’s the point?’

2024-01-07

[BenarNews] Bangladesh goes to the polls next week with Prime Minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina
...Bangla dynastic politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She has once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia show such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums...
and her ruling Awami League all but assured victory, and with the opposition boycotting an election that analysts say is likely to cement autocratic rule.

Voters in the South Asian nation of 166 million will have little choice but to elect 76-year-old Hasina for a fourth consecutive term on Jan. 7.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, along with several smaller parties, has refused to participate after Hasina rejected calls to step aside for a neutral caretaker government to oversee the polls.

Without the BNP’s involvement, government critics and independent observers say the vote is shaping up as a one-sided exercise, in a nation with a long record of dubious elections.

"Ultimately, these elections will enable Sheikh Hasina to have absolute power," Prof. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a political analyst and chief of the election monitoring body Janipop, told BenarNews. "The democratic checks-and-balances and the principle of separation of power will collapse."

Since 2009, Hasina has presided over one of the region’s best-performing economies, largely on the back of the country’s booming textile and garment industry, which employs more than a million women in the workforce.

But she has steadily clamped down on opposition parties and civil society while consolidating control over state apparatuses — from law enforcement and the judiciary to the Election Commission, according to analysts and activists.

Local and international advocacy groups, including Human Rights Watch, have documented in detail alleged abuses by Bangladesh authorities, including mass arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearance, torture, extrajudicial killings, and widespread repression.

Tens of thousands of opposition leaders and activists — including its secretary general and other top leaders — have reportedly been arrested since Oct. 28 alone, when the BNP staged the last in a series of mass rallies demanding a caretaker government be put in place.

Ten people died in political violence that weekend, and another 21 have died since — mostly opposition members — amid a series of transportation blockades, vehicle arsons and street festivities, according to media reports. Six of the dear departed died in police custody and jails.

Members of the opposition party are facing up to four million criminal charges, according to the BNP’s estimates, with some regarded as "ghost cases," which are planted against individuals presumed dead, incarcerated, or in exile.

On Thursday, a Dhaka court gave prison terms to eight BNP leaders — including two former cabinet ministers — for participating in a rally vandalizing vehicles about 10 years ago, officials and lawyers said. Authorities have resorted to arresting family members of opposition activists as well.

’ONE-PARTY SYSTEM’
The arrests and deadly protest violence have raised tensions ahead of the vote, which will be the 12th since Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistain in 1971.

Out of the 11 previous general elections, only four were considered to be relatively free and fair, because they were held under non-partisan caretaker administrations — a system that the Awami League government removed in 2011.

The BNP and its allies boycotted the 2014 election over concerns about its fairness. And in 2018, despite the BNP’s participation, the ruling party secured more than 95% of the parliamentary seats, although amid widespread claims of fraud.

In recent months, the United States and other Western countries have ramped up calls to demand that free and fair elections be held in Bangladesh. Washington in May said it would deny visas to Bangladeshis whom it suspects of trying to undermine democratic elections.

Despite the pressure, few observers expect the vote to be competitive.

"The consequence is that we are going to see a one-party political system," said Prof. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, a political analyst and writer of several books on Bangladesh politics.

Wary of international scrutiny, the Awami League has greenlighted the use of "dummy candidates" during the election, which refer to members of the ruling party that are registered to run as "independents."

The government has also cajoled new, smaller parties into participating, amid concerns about possible low turnout.

Still, the government-aligned Jatiya Party
...aka Jatiya Front; a political party established by Bangladictator Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1986 to lend a veneer of respectability to his rule. Since nobody was amused he was forced to resign by popular demand in 1990. The party remains in existence with about a dozen seats in Bangla's parliament...
, the largest opposition camp in Parliament, is not expected to secure more than a dozen of the 300 parliamentary seats up for grabs, Kalimullah said.

"We have a Westminster form of governance in place. But the next Parliament will be composed of MPs elected in the style of the Chinese Communist Party, which allows the party members to contest among its members," he said.

Link

Bangladesh

N'ganj court rejects BNP case

2022-09-05

[NEWAGEBD] A judicial magistrate court in Narayanganj on Sunday rejected a complaint filed by a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party seeking an investigation against 42 police personnel, including district police superintendent Golam Mostofa Rashel and his deputies, for killing Juba Dal activist Shawon Pradhan in the city on September 1.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi filed the complaint with the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Imran Molla in the morning. The court rejected the complaint later in the day.

The BNP leader named sub-inspector Mahfuzur Rahman Kanak of the district detective branch as the prime accused, who was reportedly seen using the rifle.

Juba Dal activist Shawon was killed and 200 people were maimed in a clash in Narayanganj as law enforcers tried to prevent BNP leaders and activists from holding a rally marking the party’s 44th founding anniversary on September 1.

The district police front man and additional police superintendent, Amir Khasru, said on September 2 that Shawon’s brother, Monir Hossain, had filed a case accusing 5,000 BNP leaders and activists of his death.

The police also filed a case against 800 BNP leaders and activists over the clash between the BNP and law enforcers in Narayanganj.

Monir, however, alleged that the police duped him to take his signature while handing over the body of his brother and later he came to know it was a case against the BNP.

The district police front man dismissed the allegation and said that his brother filed the case. He claimed that the police only fired 700 shotgun bullets, 14 tear shells and three sound grenades.

Link

Olde Tyme Religion

Third Day of Clashes in Bangladash over Quran 'Desecration’

2021-10-16

[AnNahar] Thousands of protesters in Bangladesh's capital Friday clashed with police, as security forces used tear gas and batons against demonstrators angry over what they perceived as an image insulting Islam that had gone viral over social media.

Police said that the street protests began after the main Friday prayers at the Baitul Mukarram mosque in the center of Dhaka.

Demonstrators gathered to protest images that earlier emerged on social media of a copy of the Quran — Islam's holy book — at the feet of a statue in a Hindu temple in eastern Bangladesh.

The clashes in the capital city follow reported incidents of vandalism at Hindu temples across other parts of the Muslim-majority country. The rise in communal tensions came as the minority Hindus celebrated the last day of their largest religious festival —the Durga Puja.

Sajjad Hossain, a deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said several people were injured after the police charged with batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd which was attempting to break through a police barricade.

"They started pelting stones at us, they attacked us," Hossain said.

It was not clear immediately how many were injured in the melee, authorities said.

At least three of the protesters were detained for questioning, the deputy commissioner added.

Protesters chanted anti-India slogans and criticized Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom critics accuse of being close with New Delhi.

Bangladeshi authorities have ordered an investigation into the image of Islam's holy book placed in the temple, while Hasina has warned against any attempts to disturb communal harmony in the country. But Hindu organizations said the attacks continued in other parts of the country where dozens of Hindus were injured and their temple statues vandalized or toppled.

Since Wednesday, at least 100 people had been arrested across the country involving alleged attacks on Hindu temples, authorities said.

Around 9% of Bangladesh's more than 160 million people are Hindu.

Previously reported in the regional news

People Killed as Bangladesh Police, Mob Clash over Alleged Quran Desecration

[BenarNews] At least four people were killed and dozens injured in southwest Bangladesh late Wednesday when law enforcement clashed with a mob protesting the alleged desecration of a Koran at a Hindu festival site, police said Thursday.

The ~~violent~~ mostly peaceful festivities in the Moslem-majority country began in Chandpur district after a video post showed a copy of Koran inside a temporary structure in neighboring Cumilla district where the nine-day annual Durga Puja festival was being celebrated, authorities said.

Mohammad Harun Rashid, officer-in-charge at the cop shoppe in Haziganj, a sub-district of Chandpur, confirmed the deaths but did not say whether the victims were killed by police shots.

"Three of the injured who suffered bullet wounds have died at a local health facility, while another died at Cumilla Medical College Hospital where he was sent for better treatment," he told BenarNews.

Cumilla Police Superintendent Faruk Ahmed confirmed that officers opened fire on the mob of several hundred people to control the situation.

"Police fired aimless shots and tear gas," he told BenarNews.

After the post about the Koran was widely circulated, enraged mobs attacked dozens of Hindu temples, including in Cumilla and Chandpur districts, police said.

Chandpur officials banned gatherings indefinitely, Momena Akhter, the chief of the Haziganj civil administration, told BenarNews.

Security was stepped around the country as well, as the violence spread. Officials deployed Border Guard Bangladesh troops in 30 of the nation’s 64 districts.

"Responding to the demand of district administrators and direction from the Home Ministry, the BGB personnel have been deployed to ensure security for Durga Puja celebrations," Lt. Col. Faizur Rahman said in a press statement released Thursday.

Meanwhile,
...back at the pie fight, Bella went down under the weight of the custard...
after visiting the shelter from where the Koran was recovered, police detained a Moslem man named Fayez Uddin who allegedly posted the video of Islam’s holy book in the puja structure on Facebook, a Chittagong Range Police official told news hounds.

"Police are interrogating the person. We suspect the incident was sabotage and we are now trying to determine why," said Md. Anwar Hossain, deputy inspector general in the Chittagong Range Police.

He added that 43 people were tossed into the calaboose by police for questioning.

Anwarul Azim, chief of Cumilla’s Kotwali Model Police Station, said four cases had been filed as of Thursday night, including one under the Digital Security Act. Hazigang police’s Harun Rashid said two cases accuse six named and 2,000 unnamed people of attacking the temple and clashing with police.

Police and authorities said at least 31 people were arrested in Gazipur, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar districts for their alleged involvement in violence in those places.

Hindu leaders said a man guarding a puja structure in Hajiganj was found dead but they could not confirm the cause of death.

Hindu leaders, meanwhile, said their community feared for its safety following the violence and attacks on Hindu temples.

"Houses of Hindus came under attack in some areas," Manindra Kumar Nath of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council told BenarNews.

Palash Kanti Dey, executive secretary-general of the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, said vandals had hit at least 48 puja structures in 18 districts over the last two days. The Durga Puja festival began on Monday and ends Friday.

Islamic political party Islami Oikya Jote
... a political party in Bangladesh. In the 2001 elections the party won 2 out of 300 elected members in an alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. It has a focus on building an Islamic state, and has used the madrassas to gain support...
urged the police not to arrest those who protested and instead take action against those responsible for the alleged Koran desecration.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), meanwhile, accused Hasina’s government of orchestrating the violence, saying it was a "planned attack" to divert people’s attention from its failure to maintain law and order.

Link

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Most Powerful Islamic Group Will Test Govt, Analysts Say

2020-11-23

[BenarNews] Bangladesh’s most influential faith-based organization, Hefajat-e-Islam
...a madrassa-based false nose and mustache of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, formed in 2010 to protest against secular education. In 2011 demonstrated violentyly against women's rights and in 2013 held large rallies demanding capital punishment of Shahbag Square protesters and banning women working outside the home...
, is likely to become more hardline and take an even stronger anti-government stance after a pro-opposition faction recently took control of the group, analysts told BenarNews.

Amid infighting with a faction allied with the prime minister’s Awami League, Hefazat selected Junayed Babunagari as its emir, or leader, on Nov. 15. He is a supporter of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally, the conservative religion-based Jamaat-e-Islami

Link

Bangladesh

Fresh violence mars Bangladesh election as campaigning ends

2018-12-29

[DAWN] Bangladesh's general election campaign ended on Friday with more deadly violence and arrests of opposition activists which have raised international concern as Prime Minister ~~the loathesome~~ Sheikh Hasina

...Bangla dynastic politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Bangla Awami League since the Lower Paleolithic. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangla. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She has once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide. She and the head of the BNP, Khaleda Zia show such blind animosity toward each other that they are known as the Battling Begums..
seeks a record fourth term.

A ruling Awami League party supporter was killed by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) followers, police said, while the BNP claimed 19 more of its activists were tossed into the calaboose ahead of Sunday's election.

The official campaign ended ended at 8am Bangladesh time on Friday after seven weeks of widespread street festivities and accusations of an official crackdown on the opposition.

An opinion poll indicated Hasina is favourite to win despite the controversy.

Police said the Awami League supporter was beaten to death in the northeastern city of Sylhet late on Thursday.

They had reported two earlier deaths of Awami League activists since the campaign opened on November 8. The BNP says eight of its supporters have been killed in election festivities.

Link

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