Yunus seeks ‘unity’ as four political parties ‘pledge support’ amid protests

Parties reaffirm support but urge tougher action on law and order

Amid ongoing protests over the deadly fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus met with leaders of four political parties, urging them to “remain united” in the face of crisis.

The meeting, held on Tuesday night at his official residence State Guest House Jamuna, came a day after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari, killing 28.

The incident triggered a wave of student protests that spread to the Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by senior leaders from the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party, and the Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Leaders from Jamaat and Islami Andolan reiterated their support for Yunus’s interim government, as they had in the past, but also pressed the administration to take “tougher” measures to restore law and order.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury joined the talks along with Jamaat-e-Islami’s deputy chief Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad.

The NCP was represented by Convenor Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, while Islami Andolan also included Presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon.

The BNP and NCP leaders did not speak to the media following the meeting.

Law Advisor Asif Nazrul, Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman, Energy Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan, Education Advisor CR Abrar, and Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam accompanied Yunus at the meeting.

After the talks, Nazrul briefed the media around 11pm alongside Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

“The chief advisor told the political parties that it would be helpful if their unity became more visible,” he said.

“Whether through constructive programmes or any other form, standing together will give people a sense of reassurance,” he added.

As a sign of such unity, Nazrul said, the parties noted that despite their differences, they all respond when the chief advisor calls.

“Another example of this unity,” he added, “is the parties’ regular participation in the National Consensus Commission meetings.”

Speaking at the briefing, Jamaat deputy chief Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said they held in-depth discussions on the current state of the country, particularly Monday’s tragic jet crash at Milestone School.

“The nation is heartbroken,” he said, “and we discussed the need for full medical treatment for the injured and proper support and compensation for the families of the children who died.”

He added, “Students will announce a programme [on Wednesday]. The political parties are monitoring the situation and will launch programmes if necessary, based on developments.”

Jamaat also believes the decision to postpone Tuesday’s HSC exams should have been made earlier.

Taher said a “malicious clique” tried to exploit the situation and stir unrest.

“All four of our parties stood united in reaffirming our past, present and future support for this government,” said Islami Andolan Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman after the meeting.

Explaining the focus of the discussion, he said: “Referring to the incidents that have taken place since [Monday], he [Yunus] said defeated forces, particularly collaborators of ‘fascist’ elements, are trying to exploit the situation to create instability, spread panic and circulate rumours across the country.

“The core message from the chief advisor was that unity among anti-fascist political forces must remain intact,” he added. “There must be no internal divisions that could open the door for ‘fascist’ elements to seize an opportunity.”

Ataur said political parties naturally hold different views.

He added that with an election approaching, it is normal for parties to criticise each other before the polls.

“But there is one point where we are united -- we all agree that Awami ‘fascism’ must never be rehabilitated,” he said.

“They must not be allowed to plot against the country or act in any capacity against the state. On that, we stand together.”

The protests erupted early Tuesday, as students put forward six demands, including compensation for victims.

They confined Law Advisor Asif Nazrul and Education Advisor CR Abrar inside the Milestone School campus throughout the day.

The situation worsened when several hundred students forced their way into the Secretariat after delays in announcing the postponement of Tuesday’s HSC exams.

They vandalised property, triggering clashes with police as the area quickly descended into chaos.

Both Jamaat and the NCP accused the ousted Awami League of orchestrating the unrest.

The Islami Andolan expressed similar suspicions.

Referring to repeated attacks on the Secretariat, Ataur questioned how such a critical state institution remained so “vulnerable”.

He said in previous political regimes, the Secretariat had never been breached in such a manner.

The Islami Andolan leader demanded the government investigate whether the security failures stemmed from lapses in intelligence, administration or law-enforcing agencies.

Turning to the general election, he said political parties would inevitably compete and campaign against one another.

The interim government, he argued, must be prepared not only to counter threats from “Awami fascist” elements, but also to manage political tensions between rival parties.

He called for tougher law enforcement and a stronger administrative grip to prevent further unrest.

Pointing to recent events in Gopalganj, Ataur said the situation there reflected a complete failure of both intelligence and administration.

He warned similar incidents could occur in other districts if the government did not act decisively.

Ataur urged the administration to take a firmer stance and the government to strengthen its role with clarity and resolve.

He added that all sides agreed on the need for a free and fair election.