United movement urged for democracy, const. politics

Our Shaheb of Charmonai Mufti Shed Muhammad Retail Karim making his inaugural statement at the National Dialogue at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Pir Saheb of Chamonai on Wedneday called for a united movement to restore democracy and constitutional politics and save the country's independence and sovereignty which he said is not secure under the present government.

In an introductory statement placed at a national dialogue organised at the National Press Club to steer clear of prevailing crises the IAB Ameer said that those who are in power deceived the people in the last three national elections, destroyed not only the electoral system and constitutional politics to the extent that there has been no opposition in three consecutive terms of Parliament.

The IAB Ameer said it is the responsinbility of each one of the people to resist when the government faces the question over the independence and sovereignty of the country. Allah ordains and history tells us we always became successful when we got united against the oppressor, he said.

The Pir Saheb Charmonai said patriotism is part of Iman (faith). We so many parties all agree to this. By seeing the MoUs signed we cannot say the government  is working to protect the country's interests.

The Peer Saheb said, his party will sit with patriotic parties and journalists to decide on the course of action to forge ahead. 

A total of 20 leaders from 19 parties and organisations took part in the dialogue which dwelt on what they termed submissive water diplomacy surrendering that right on Teesta water and giving the big neighnour India rail corridor in the name of transit without reciprocal benefit in return.

They alleged that the government has become so much dependent on Indoia to cotinue in power that they have lost the ability to make bargains to safeguard the interests of the country. Bangladesh has not only been subjected to an one sided trade with the big neighbour, but also opened up defence and security secrets endangering independence and sovereignty, they said.

Nazrul Islam Khan, member standing committee of BNP said what the govt has given is corridor, not transit. 

Bangladesh also has a chicken neck near Feni where an Indian EPZ has been allowed at Mirersarai. If relations with India gets worse what will heppen? We should uphold the national interest first.

He said on rail transit government ministers refer to Europe where there are no border restrictions, nor visa needed to move from one counry to another. We want good relations not bondage, he said.  Khan said, Teesta project would not be needed if we get the share of water. As we agree to host a technical committee we give up our right on Teesta water. 

Criticising the government he said if Khaleda's all treatment is possible in the country why the President, the PM and govt ministers go abroad for the same and why electronic Indian medical visa has been arranged. 

Nazrul Islam Khan also posed a question if an IGP, an Army chief and a Chief Justice appointed by the government prove corrupt how the govt can prove itself not corrupt. Even then they speak of zero tolerance against corruption. 

He said, the oppositionmi did movement for free and fair election under a caretaker govertment. The people gave their no confidence by not casting votes but the government remained in power with the repressive acts of those officers who now prove corrupt.

Our demands haven't changed for polls under caretaker government. We need more unity for this. He urged the Pir Saheb of charmonai to take the initiative for this.

Mufti Faezul Karim, senior Nayebe Amir, IAB said our target should be not to allow Indian train through Bangladesh. In the past AL used to do tailism of India secretly, now they do it openly, he said.

Mostafa Jamal Haider, chairman JP (Zafar) and chief of 12-Party Alliance said the entire country is ready to join a movement for restoring democracy. We should finalise programme and provide leadership.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna criticised the joint satellite programme with India and said our security, secrets, nothing remain with us. MoUs even on nuclear energy and research have been signed. We have given rail coridor which may be used to bring goods train and carry even weapons. It is considered an alternative to the chicken neck route north of Bangladesh. He said the PM has sacrificed the water of Teesta. Govt suppressed opposition movement. They kill people and sell the country for the sake of remaining in power. He said that there has been opposition unity but they have not succeed to be in the same stage. As that's not possinle let's do simultaneous movement, he added. 

Saiful Huq, general secretary, Biplabi Workers Party said the last trip of the PM to Delhi was not bilateral. Delhi called our PM there and placed before her the MoU papers to sign. Teesta and other water issues, problems over bilateral trade and border killings were below the table. 

He said, we also want connectivity but with whom? India has fenced the border around Bangladesh. European connectivity is there as they don't have border fences. You should remember with whom you are doing the deals. Transit and corridor has been given without any tariff. Even the sea has been put under Indian control. Radars have set up along coasts and satellite are being launched from India which can monitor all military secrets of Bangladesh. India has also been allowed into security set up of Bangladesh. Who has empowered you to do this, he asked. Govt will not be able to bring even a single drop of water from India. They are unable to speak for national interests and safeguard those. They are protecting Indian interests. India helped them get elected and they are giving gifts in return. The key problem is this govt has no mandate to run the country. Saiful asked the government to give a time frame through dialogue when it will resign and how the pressing problems will be resolved. People expressed their no confidence in the Jan 7 election. Even 27 of the 28 parties that participation in the polls termed it a farce, and they included even candidates who contested with AL's boat symbol.

Col (retd) Abdul Huq, said we should identify friends and enemies. India was united by Muslims which was not liked by Hindutva activists. India cannot be our friend because they propagate Akhand Bharat the emblem of which has been placed in Indian Parliament by 40 Hundu priests led by Indian PM Narendra Modi. Even the Indian President was not allowed there as she was from a lower caste.

Presided over by IAB Amir and Pir Shaheb of Charmonai, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim the function was also addressed by Mujibur Rahman Manju of AB Party, Dr. Khalilur Rahman Madani, Ulema Mashayek Parishad, Prof. Harunur Rashid of Democratic People's Party, Moulana Abdul Qayyum, secretary gen Nezam-e-Islam Party, Moulana Mujubur Rahman Hamidi, Islami Shasantantra Andolan, Prof Nakib Najmul Hasan of Law Department, Dhaka University, Nurul Huq Nur, President, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Atiqul Islam, member, presidium, BML, Col (retd) Abdul Huq, security analysy, Moulana Ahmed Ali Quasemi, sr Nayebe Amir of Khelafat Majlis, Adv Zainul Abedin, former president, SCBA, Col (retd) Mosiuzzaman, convener, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Engineer Abdul Hadi, Adv Subrata Chowdhury of Gono Forum and Hafez Moulana Younus Ahmed, secretary general, IAB.