Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has filed a review petition against the verdict to annul the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished the former caretaker government system.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar filed the review petition with the Appellate Division on Wednesday (October 23).

The party's lawyer Mohammad Shishir Munir confirmed this.

In 2011, the Jatiyo Sangsad passed the 15th Amendment, which made several changes to the Constitution, including abolishing the caretaker government.

On May 10 of that year, the Appellate Division, based on a majority opinion, said in a short order that if the JS wanted, two more elections (the 10th and 11th) could be held under the caretaker government.

The short verdict also said that the Appellate Division gave its opinion for amending the Constitution as the former Chief Justice and judges of the Appellate Division cannot be appointed as heads of a non-partisan caretaker government.

When the full judgment was published on September 16, 2012, 16 months after that short order, ABM Khairul Haque retired from the post of Chief Justice. The full judgment he published did not address the issue of the caretaker government system for the next two terms.

In fact, the full judgment also included the issue of the parliament remaining in power even after the government's term ended. This huge discrepancy between the short judgment and the full judgment sparked a heated debate.

Justice Md. Mozammel Hossain, Justice SK Sinha and Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain agreed with Justice ABM Khairul Haque in the full judgment.

Justice Md. Abdul Wahhab Miah dissented from the judgment and expressed his opinion in favor of maintaining the caretaker government system. Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana agreed with him.

However, Justice Md. Iman Ali left the matter to the JS without giving an opinion for or against the caretaker government.

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said, raising a new topic about resignation is suspicious. It is a matter of concern why this is happening. It is the government’s responsibility to look into this matter and take action accordingly.

He said these things at a discussion meeting organized on the occasion of the 4th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Labor Party at the Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club on Tuesday (October 22).

Nazrul Islam Khan said, we saw on TV that the President, taking the chiefs of the three services, said that Sheikh Hasina has resigned and he (president) has accepted that resignation letter. When the president himself, taking the chiefs of the three services, said in front of the nation that the Prime Minister has resigned and he has accepted that resignation letter, then what else is there to talk about this? And there is no more talk. Then I saw the Prime Minister’s son say, ‘Mother did not resign’. Again, we heard in a telephone conversation of Sheikh Hasina where she (Sheikh Hasina) herself said, ‘I did not resign in the way I was supposed to resign.’ That is, she resigned. But she did not do it in the way she was supposed to do it; so? Then there is no question of not resigning. The resignation has been made. And what does it matter if the one who runs away resigns or not. She is a fugitive.

He said, I think the unstable situation of the country's commodity prices and the increasing growth that is taking place has become the biggest problem. It does not matter whether the government in power is permanent or temporary. Their responsibility is to ensure the comfort of the people. Therefore, we will request the government to take effective measures very quickly so that people's lives are comfortable. The prices of goods should be stable.

Commenting on the Awami League trying to create problems, this senior BNP leader said, I know that this government does not have as much power as it should have. The administration and the police, especially, are not able to exercise their full power. And it is wrong to say that because the Awami League is not in power, their people are not in this country, they are not in business and commerce, they do not have the ability to create problems. They are trying to create problems in various ways. But the responsibility of suppressing injustice ultimately lies with the government. We can cooperate but we cannot suppress injustice on behalf of the government.

He further said this country is ours. We liberated this country by fighting the Liberation War. But the country has been occupied. Selfishness, greed for power have occupied this country. Our colleagues and our children have liberated this country. But the conspiracies have not stopped. Various conspiracies are going on. We have to be careful to confront these conspiracies. The government also has to cooperate. Because we know that this government is not very strong. There are attempts to create chaos in various areas of society. We have to take care of them.

Bangladesh Labor Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran presided over the event, and BNP Standing Committee Member Begum Selima Rahman, General Secretary of Gano Forum Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Chairman of Janipop Professor Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, among others, also spoke. 

The police said that several people were arrested in connection with the sudden procession wearing masks at midnight last Friday (October 18) in Jamal Khan of Chattogram city. The city police conducted a special operation and arrested 38 people in the last 24 hours. Among those arrested are the participants of Jamal Khan's procession.

According to a source of the Chattogram city police, the accused in the sabotage case after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, who fired at the student movement in a special operation, are being arrested. From Saturday to Sunday at 10 pm, 38 accused in various sabotage cases have been arrested from 16 police station areas of the city.

Earlier, the anti-discrimination student movement had set a 24-hour time limit for the arrest of Chhatra League leaders and activists who took part in the sudden procession at Jamal khan in Chattogram. That ultimatum expired on Sunday afternoon. If the police failed to arrest the marchers within the specified time, the coordinator of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Chattogram Coordinator Russel Ahmed demanded the resignation of the chiefs of three Police Stations Kotwali, Chawkbazar and Panchlaish besides demanding the resignation of the Police Commissioner himself.

The names of several of the arrested persons have been obtained. They are Rakibul Islam, Imran Haider, Mohiuddin alias Mainuddin, Bachchu Mia, Belal Hossain Azad, Simon and Tutul. The first four of them took part in the procession in Jamal khan area last Friday midnight, claimed the additional deputy commissioner of city police (public relations) Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz

The anti-discrimination student movement demanded the quick arrest of BCL leaders and activists who took part in the procession, Chattogram coordinator Russel Ahmed. Three said, the police administration could not arrest everyone within our allotted time. In this case they have shown failure. We'll wait until Monday.

Dhaka: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has proposed 23 points to the interim government, including banning the Awami League.

On Saturday (October 19) afternoon, at Jamuna Dr. Colonel Oli Ahmed, President of LDP made 23 points by participating in the dialogue at the invitation of Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Colonel Oli Ahmed said that the current interim government has completed almost 2 months. People have a lot of hope for this government, but there is still a kind of anxiety and worry working in the people because progress in reform activities is not as expected. The people of the country cannot be disappointed under any circumstances. We should all come forward to help the government. The country needs to be moved forward and reforms completed through joint efforts.

The 23 propositions of LDP are-

>> Reviewing the activities of the interim government, it seems that many of them are weak against the fascist Awami League government. But this Awami dictatorial government has committed terrible murders during the mass movement. Especially in the last 15 years democracy has been wiped out and fascism established. They destroyed the economy, education, health, law, judiciary and electoral system. Assimilation and partisanship at all levels, violation of human rights, disappearances and murders, torture and oppression of people, massive corruption under the cover of mega projects, looting with huge loans, and smuggling of lakhs of money abroad have committed unprecedented crimes. So they have no right to do politics in this country. Our question to the interim government is how many more martyrs were required to cancel their registration? Banning Bangladesh Awami League is justified. Otherwise the blood of the martyrs will be in vain. Time is limited, act quickly and make decisions based on reality rather than emotion.

>> Sheikh Mujibur Rahman voluntarily surrendered to the Pakistan Army on the eve of the Liberation War in 1971. In post-independence Bangladesh too, genuine freedom fighters have been repeatedly oppressed by its authoritarian rule. He cannot in any way be a symbol of the spirit of the liberation war or the father of the nation. Thousands of people have been killed and disappeared in protest against his dictatorial rule, yet a culture of personality worship has developed towards him. The names of Sheikh Mujib and his family members still exist in various government institutions. These names should be changed immediately and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's picture should be removed to end the subculture of personal worship. Also, we hope the government will remove Sheikh Mujib's picture from various currency notes as soon as possible.

>> According to the information received, a total of 1581 people have been martyred so far in the student movement to overthrow the dictatorial government (Dainik Bangladesh Pratidin, 29 September 2024). The government should make it public - how many students have died from any university or educational institution? How many martyrs of a political party and how many ordinary people have been martyred? Also a list of injured should be prepared accordingly. By this people will get a clear idea. 4 LDP martyrs, 15 injured.

>> When the dictator and murderer Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister, why are all the advisers or officials responsible for killing democracy, violating human rights and economic misery of the country, not arrested yet? For example, Dr. Moshiur Rahman, Kabir bin Anwar and the so-called Major General Tariq Siddique, who is known as the disgrace of the army.

>> Soon after the fall of the dictatorial Hasina government on August 5, through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, hundreds of uniformed men fled by special Indian aircraft. People have a right to know who they are.

>> 8/10 of the traders in the country are big criminals those who supported Sheikh Hasina to establish a dictatorship. These criminals controlled the country's trade and economy through syndicates. As a result, the rise in commodity prices has not stopped yet. Monitoring cells should be formed in different cities to control commodity prices. Also controlled major projects. Many of them were also involved in immoral activities. It has diverted the country's economy and democracy to different sectors to save its own interests. Politicians have smuggled money abroad through them. On the other hand, they also smuggled their stolen money abroad and put the banks in debt. Some political parties have used politicians, MPs and ministers as their bought slaves. Due to which their activities are not coming public. A few days before the dictator Sheikh Hasina left power, these criminal businessmen tried to keep her in power. They are traitors, enemies of the people and suck the blood of people. Necessary investigative measures should be taken against them by vigilant officers and uprooted. Cross-border routes should be closed and those staying abroad should be brought home through Interpol. Otherwise, corruption will not stop in the future.

>> The current interim government is wasting time unnecessarily. Looking at their actions, it seems that they are planning to hold power for a long time. Because even after the passage of almost two months, the PPs appointed by the dictatorial government are still working in various levels of courts. In addition, pro-Awami judges remain in their respective positions. As a result, the common people are not getting     Justice.

>> Almost 95 percent of government, semi-government and autonomous institutions are still occupied by Sheikh Hasina's army of important posts. As a result, law and order is deteriorating in different parts of the country. There is stagnation in government activities. The interim government should identify them and fire them. Appointment of controversial persons should be stopped. Sadly, far from firing them, some of the controversial figures are being reassigned to new positions. Such as Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy etc.

>> At various times during the last 15 years, the members of the autocratic Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other organizations of the previous government have openly displayed their weapons. A fair list of illegal arms holders should be prepared. Then, without wasting time, steps should be taken to rescue it.

>> All the persons who have been included in the list of freedom fighters since 1996, we have demanded from the LDP to cancel them, which is very reasonable. Why have they not been canceled yet?

>> After 2014, all those persons who have served as Union and Upazila Chairman, Municipal Mayor, City Corporation Mayor, MP and Minister should be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission. It is also advisable to check their illegal assets and income tax returns filed.

>> OMS dealers appointed by the dictatorial government still exist in various municipalities of the country. Also, the autocratic government appointees are conducting activities for food friendly programs at various union levels. Our question is, why is the government so weak? Why are new people not being appointed in their place? It is suspected that many people in the interim government are working on the side of Sheikh Hasina.

>> Some members of the hilly areas are seen openly displaying their weapons in front of members of the Bangladesh Army which is not acceptable under any circumstances. If the turbulent environment of the Chattogram Hill Tracts is viewed lightly, the problem will increase. The troublemakers must be dealt with strictly. We have not leased the Chattogram Hill Tracts to any group. Army can be increased if necessary. Illegal crossing should be stopped in border areas.

>> Autocratic Hasina government established an industrial zone or export processing zone for foreigners at Mirsarai in Chattogram district. Considering the security of Bangladesh, the area is very sensitive. If any single country has been allocated space in this zone, hopefully, the head of the interim government, considering the security of Bangladesh, will cancel this industrial zone or export processing zone on an urgent basis.

>> Various organizations in West Bengal and Delhi continued to make inflammatory statements against Bangladesh. How does India expect to develop relations with Bangladesh despite such provocative statements? The Ministry of External Affairs should raise these issues with the Government of India and protest. Also, India is playing the role of harboring big corrupt people of the previous government of this country. In the future, if we give shelter to such citizens, will it be good? Will it be good neighborly behavior?

>> To ensure law and order, it is the responsibility of all of us. At different places, some people at different levels, including upazilas, intimidate the officers, busy earning money. By preparing a list of such persons, arrangements should be made for their immediate arrest.

>> Some students in various educational institutions, influenced by the BCL, are disrupting the security of educational institutions with the resignation of many teachers. In order to maintain the quality of education and ensure teaching, the security of educational institutions should be taken into consideration.

>> According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics report published in June 2024, 91.58 percent of people in Bangladesh are Muslims. An Education Commission needs to be formed to reflect their aspirations in the field of education.

>> Private medical colleges and engineering colleges are collecting unethical admission fee of Tk. 15/20 lakhs. Such unethical business in educational institutions should be stopped and admission fees should be brought within the affordability of common people. The government should take concerted action in this regard.

>> According to our information there is disparity in the timescales of head teachers and assistant teachers in primary schools. As a result of which there is dissatisfaction among them. This issue should be seriously considered for improving the quality of education at primary level.