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NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Bangladesh Now Drops Bangabandhu From Key Law, Redefines 'Freedom Fighters'
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has removed "Father of the Nation" from the JAMUKA Act, erasing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's legacy. Critics argue this overreach distracts from its electoral mandate amid ongoing political turmoil. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh has also dropped the words 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' from a key statute, the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JAMUKA) Act, that deals with freedom fighters in the country. After removing the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from currency notes, the interim government in Bangladesh has made yet another move to erase the legacy of the 1971 liberation struggle which was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Interim Government is continuing its efforts to erase the legacy of the liberation struggle, particularly the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has brought in amendments to the JAMUKA Act by changing the definition of 'freedom fighter' under the law. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued the ordinance in this regard on Tuesday night, Bangladesh daily, Prothom Alo reported. Critics of the Yunus Government agree that the interim government has gone beyond its mandate and embroiled itself in matters that should be handled by an elected government with a political mandate instead of confining itself to electoral reforms and holding elections to install an elected government. The uprising that took place last year in Bangladesh, initially started off as an anti-quota agitation, after the High Court reinstated the job quotas with reservation of one-third of civil service posts for children of fighters who participated in the country's liberation movement in 1971. Later it became a full-fledged movement to remove the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power which eventually happened on August 5, 2024, when she had to leave Dhaka as a violent mob entered the official residence Gana Bhavan with an intention to kill her. From demanding the abolition of the 30 per cent quota for children of freedom fighters, the anti-quota protesters, backed by radical forces, turned on Sheikh Hasina leading to her leaving the country. The words 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' have been dropped from the JAMUKA act, effectively eroding the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh's liberation war and liberated the country from Pakistan which engaged in a genocide and torture of the local population demanding freedom. In a post on social media platform Muhammad Yunus said, 'The news published in several media outlets including Samakal, Jugantar, Ittefaq and Kalerkanth that the freedom fighter recognition of more than a hundred leaders, including President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam, Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed and two ministers Md. Mansur Ali and AHM Kamruzzaman, of the Mujibnagar government has been revoked is completely baseless, false and misleading.' মুজিবনগর সরকারের রাষ্ট্রপতি শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান, অস্থায়ী রাষ্ট্রপতি সৈয়দ নজরুল ইসলাম, প্রধানমন্ত্রী তাজউদ্দীন আহমদ এবং দুই মন্ত্রী মো. মনসুর আলী ও এ এইচ এম কামরুজ্জামানসহ শতাধিক নেতার মুক্তিযোদ্ধা স্বীকৃতি বাতিল বলে সমকাল, যুগান্তর, ইত্তেফাক ও কালেরকন্ঠসহ কয়েকটি সংবাদমাধ্যমে যে… — Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) June 4, 2025 'Adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Faruk-e-Azam, said that those who were in the Mujibnagar government were also freedom fighters. Those who fought the liberation war with arms, those who led it, were freedom fighters. However, the officials and employees of that government were associate freedom fighters,' Yunus added. 'He said that according to the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA) Ordinance, diplomats including the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra are associate freedom fighters. Associate does not mean that their honour has been tarnished. He said that the definition of freedom fighter that existed in 1972 has been implemented. It was changed in 2018 and 2022. The honour, status, and privileges of both freedom fighters and collaborators of the liberation war will remain the same,' Yunus said, claiming the ordinance was addressing changes to the law in 2018 and 2022 under the Sheikh Hasina Government.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
In a first, Bangladesh to broadcast ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's trial live on TV
For the first time in the country's history, Bangladesh's tribunal has agreed to broadcast the formal hearing of the case against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina live on state television. read more For the first time in Bangladesh's history, the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has decided to broadcast all proceedings against Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on live television. In a run-up to the highly publicised hearing, the Bangladeshi ICT has issued multiple arrest warrants against the deposed Prime Minister and other members of her Awami League, including ex-military generals and a former police chief. They will be tried in court for their alleged role in forced disappearances, Prothom Alo reported. On June 1, formal charges against Hasina will be filed in the tribunal, the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tajul Islam, told reporters. 'We are determined to move forward with the judicial process," Islam was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the live broadcast of the proceedings. He noted that, subject to the tribunal's permission, the court proceedings will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV) at 9:30 am (local time) on Sunday. Bangladesh tries its former PM While speaking to reporters, Islam referred to Sheikh Hasina as the 'nucleus of enforced disappearances" and the 'Ayna Ghar" (secret detention centre), Prothom Alo reported. He stated that the judicial process against the former PM and her aides is moving ahead at full speed. However, the completion of the investigation will take some time. The ICT chief prosecutor mentioned that ICT has broadly identified the structure of the crimes and those responsible, while it is currently working on ensuring the arrests of those involved in the disappearances. It is pertinent to note that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has intensified its crackdown against Hasina, who was ousted after student-led protests toppled her 15-year-long reign in August 2024. Hasina's Awami League Party is already banned in the country, while several of its leaders have been imprisoned. Last month, the ICT issued a show-cause notice to Sheikh Hasina and her aide in a contempt of court case. The tribunal alleged that Hasina had interfered in the judicial process and issued threats to the tribunal. With inputs from agencies.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Working with government': Bangladesh army tries to muzzle rumours of rift, Yunus exit
Mohammad Yunus Dismissing the reports of a rift between the Yunus government and the Bangladesh armed forces, the Army Headquarters on Monday denied any discord, asserting that both institutions are operating in close coordination. The clarification came during a press briefing, where Brigadier General Nazim-Ud-Doula addressed a question about reports of discontent. 'There's been speculation that there are serious differences between the government and the military. The way it's being portrayed in the media is not accurate. We are working harmoniously and in mutual understanding. There is no room for misinterpretation,' he was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo. He further said: 'We should not assume the government and military are operating in conflict or thinking separately. That is not the case. The government and military are working together, and we strongly believe this cooperation will continue in the future.' The statement from the army comes days after Muhammad Yunus's advisor, after an unscheduled, closed-door meeting of the council, confirmed that Bangladesh's interim chief would remain in office. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The council met behind closed doors shortly after the ECNEC session, in what was seen as a critical moment to address rising tensions within the interim government. Before the meeting, Yunus had called the emergency meeting amid mounting demands for election clarity and growing discord between political factions and the military. Meanwhile, Mohammad Yunus has said the current crisis in Bangladesh is the product of a "conspiracy" to re-establish Indian hegemony in his country, according to Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna. Yunus became the head of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8, 2024, after the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. Hasina stepped down amid massive student-led protests and fled to India. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was appointed to lead the interim government tasked with restoring stability and preparing for future elections.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Unease grips Bangladesh amid protests in civil administration over interim govt policies
A sense of unease intensified in Bangladesh overnight amid protests in the civil administration and the business sector over policies of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus . The mass circulation Prothom Alo newspaper carried a report headlined "protests in the secretariat, NBR turned dysfunctional, Nagar Bhan under lock and key" referring to an ongoing demonstration of government employees against a proposed law involving government employees service, protests of officials of national revenue board and the employees of Dhaka South City Corporation. A prominent business community leader, Showkat Aziz Russell, meanwhile, said businessmen in the country were being killed just like the intellectuals in the 1971 Liberation War. He warned of famine-like situation as more people become jobless. "We don't know how we will pay bonuses and salaries to workers ahead of Eid-ul-Adha," said Russell, who is the president of Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA), at a joint press conference of business chambers. He told the press conference, co-hosted by the apex Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), that in the last eight months, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority had failed to bring in a single investor. "You are inviting foreigners to invest in the country...(but) foreigners know that investment in Bangladesh is not viable. They know Vietnam is more profitable than Bangladesh," Russell said. Live Events You Might Also Like: BNP asks Yunus to hold Bangladesh polls by December Government employees, meanwhile, for a second consecutive day staged protests inside the Bangladesh Secretariat, the heart of the administration, on Sunday against the proposed Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The protesters have been demanding its withdrawal, calling it a black law that made it easy for authorities to take punitive actions and terminate the government employees. Chief Adviser Yunus's interim Cabinet approved the law last week and now awaits presidential assent. National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials also abstained from work for the second consecutive day demanding scrapping of a separate new ordinance and on Sunday announced an indefinite halt to nearly all import-export activity from Monday. The announcement prompted the government to issue a statement promising not to implement the law without discussions with the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee and other key stakeholders. The protest began after the NBR Reform Unity Council rejected the finance ministry decision to amend the revenue policy and revenue management ordinance which seeks to dissolve the NBR and form two separate divisions, separating tax policy making from administration. Government primary school teachers, meanwhile, said they would go on a full-day work abstention from Monday for an indefinite period to press home their three-point demand, including re-fixing their starting salary to the 11th grade of the national pay scale. Yunus's government in the past two days faced several other challenges. There have been reports of discord between the military and the interim government over the possible timeline for holding the parliamentary elections and other policy issues related to Bangladesh's security affairs, particularly involving a proposed humanitarian corridor of aid channel to Myanmar's rebel-held Rakhine state. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman along with the Navy and Air Force chiefs met Yunus last week and reportedly reiterated their call for election by December this year to allow an elected government to take charge. They also conveyed their reservation about the corridor issue. The next day, Zaman held a senior officers meeting at Dhaka Cantonment and said he was unaware about the government's several strategic decisions despite the military's active role. The military also decided to be tough against rampant incidents of "mob justice". Yunus on Saturday held an unscheduled closed-door meeting of the Advisory Council which later said in a statement that they discussed in detail the "three primary responsibilities entrusted to the interim government - elections, reforms, and justice". "The council discussed how unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programmes have been continuously obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public," it read. The statement said despite all obstacles, the interim government continued to fulfil its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. Yunus on Saturday also held back to back meetings with former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islam and student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) that was floated in February visibly with his blessings in an apparent effort to rally their support for his reform agenda and election issues. The chief adviser's office said leaders of 20 more left-leaning, moderate and Islamic parties also called on Yunus on Sunday. But BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who lives in London, in a virtual meeting on Sunday said in the end no plan of the interim government would be effective keeping "political parties and the people in the dark". Rahman said his party and others reiterated their demands for announcement of a clear date for the national election while "BNP demands that the national election be held by December". Meanwhile, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday framed charges against a former police commissioner and seven other officers for their alleged atrocities during last year's anti-government protests. The protests had led to the ouster of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina's regime.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Unease grips Bangladesh amid protests over Yunus's interim government policies
A sense of unease intensified in Bangladesh overnight amid protests in the civil administration and the business sector over the policies of the interim government led by Muhammad mass circulation Prothom Alo newspaper carried a report headlined "protests in the secretariat, NBR turned dysfunctional, Nagar Bhan under lock and key", referring to an ongoing demonstration of government employees against a proposed law involving government employees service, protests by officials of the national revenue board and the employees of Dhaka South City prominent business community leader, Showkat Aziz Russell, meanwhile, said businessmen in the country were being killed just like the intellectuals in the 1971 Liberation War. He warned of famine-like situation as more people become jobless. "We don't know how we will pay bonuses and salaries to workers ahead of Eid-ul-Adha," said Russell, who is the president of Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA), at a joint press conference of business told the press conference, co-hosted by the apex Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), that in the last eight months, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority had failed to bring in a single investor."You are inviting foreigners to invest in the country, but foreigners know that investment in Bangladesh is not viable. They know Vietnam is more profitable than Bangladesh," Russell employees, meanwhile, for a second consecutive day staged protests inside the Bangladesh Secretariat, the heart of the administration, on Sunday against the proposed Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, protesters have been demanding its withdrawal, calling it a black law that makes it easy for authorities to take punitive actions and terminate government Adviser Yunus's interim Cabinet approved the law last week and now awaits presidential Board of Revenue (NBR) officials also abstained from work for the second consecutive day, demanding the scrapping of a separate new ordinance and on Sunday announced an indefinite halt to nearly all import-export activity from announcement prompted the government to issue a statement promising not to implement the law without discussions with the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee and other key protest began after the NBR Reform Unity Council rejected the finance ministry's decision to amend the revenue policy and revenue management ordinance which seeks to dissolve the NBR and form two separate divisions, separating tax policy-making from primary school teachers, meanwhile, said they would go on a full-day work abstention from Monday for an indefinite period to press home their three-point demand, including re-fixing their starting salary to the 11th grade of the national pay government, in the past two days, has faced several other have been reports of discord between the military and the interim government over the possible timeline for holding the parliamentary elections and other policy issues related to Bangladesh's security affairs, particularly involving a proposed humanitarian corridor of aid channel to Myanmar's rebel-held Rakhine chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with the Navy and Air Force chiefs, met Yunus last week and reportedly reiterated their call for election by December this year to allow an elected government to take charge. They also conveyed their reservations about the corridor next day, Zaman held a senior officers meeting at Dhaka Cantonment and said he was unaware of the government's various strategic decisions despite the military's active military also decided to be tough against rampant incidents of "mob justice".Yunus on Saturday held an unscheduled closed-door meeting of the Advisory Council, which later said in a statement that they discussed in detail the "three primary responsibilities entrusted to the interim government - elections, reforms and justice"."The council discussed how unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programmes have been continuously obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public," it statement said despite all obstacles, the interim government continued to fulfil its responsibilities by putting national interests above group on Saturday also held back-to-back meetings with former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islam and student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) that was floated in February visibly with his blessings in an apparent effort to rally their support for his reform agenda and election chief advisor's office said leaders of 20 more left-leaning, moderate and Islamic parties also called on Yunus on BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who lives in London, in a virtual meeting on Sunday, said, in the end, no plan of the interim government would be effective keeping "political parties and the people in the dark".Rahman said his party and others reiterated their demands for the announcement of a clear date for the national election while "the BNP demands that the national election be held by December".Meanwhile, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday framed charges against a former police commissioner and seven other officers for their alleged atrocities during last year's anti-government protests had led to the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Bangladesh
