Despite having a sister organisation to uphold women's rights, the BNP has set up a separate forum for women's and children’s rights.
The new organisation is led by standing committee member Selima Rahman. But after talking to BNP and the members of the new party, it seems the forum has been formed with the view of creating a youth based women’s party.
Another source adds that the main reason is to bring the daughter of Nitai Roy and Gayeshwar Roy’s daughter in law, Nipun Roy to the limelight. But Nipun denies this.
On Aug 23, the Women and Children’s Rights Forum was formed with Selima Rahman as convener and Nipun Roy Chowdhury the member secretary with Gayeshwar the main adviser.
Reportedly, a division has arisen within the party over the post of general secretary. This became clear on Nov 16, as a clash occurred between supporters of central body president Afroza Abbas and general secretary Sultana Ahmed.
Convener of the forum, BNP standing committee member, Selima Rahman, said: “Abduction, rape and killings of women and children have increased. So, the organisation has been created to uphold their rights. We are working in view of the current situation.”
This was not a political organisation because when people hear of politics they usually shun some organizations and are often unwilling to go to it for help or advice.
A leader of BNP said: “Though this forum is not a sister organisation of the party, the main operational messages are sent from the central BNP office.”
While AL has a Jubo Women’s League, the BNP does not have such a body and efforts are on for a long time to form a women’s organisation in BNP.
Member secretary of the forum, advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury said: “Some people are saying that a move is underway, involving me to form a youth based party or a Jubo Mahila Dal but this is baseless.”
Several BNP leaders have said that the forum is a precursor to a full- fledged women’s party for BNP. Already, forum committees have been formed in 33 districts.
Since the work of political bodies became tougher, social bodies performed better in the current scenario, said the BNP leader.