Mahbub Piyal, Faridpur 

Nizam Uddin, who has not eaten rice for over 11 years, has been transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment on the directive of Tarique Rahman.

Nizam Uddin Mondal (70), a resident of Jhenaidah, has been surviving on only bread and bananas for the past 11 years, as part of his vow to not eat rice until the BNP returns to state power. He is currently ill, and BNP leaders and activists have come forward to support him.On Wednesday  at around 1:30 p.m., a central BNP delegation visited Nizam Uddin at Faridpur Medical College Hospital. Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman, directed the team to stand by him. The leaders handed over cash aid to Nizam Uddin and later arranged for his transfer to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in an ambulance for further treatment.According to party sources, Nizam Uddin is a resident of Bashbaria village in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah. In 2014, a charity feast (Kangalivhoj) was organized in Maheshpur to mark the death anniversary of BNP’s founder, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman. The event was disrupted by an attack from Awami League activists, during which the cooked rice was ruined. Witnessing this, Nizam Uddin took a vow never to eat rice again. Since then, he has been surviving solely on bread and bananas.Family members stated that his health had deteriorated since Eid-ul-Fitr. On Monday (April 28), as his condition worsened, he was admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital.Upon learning about Nizam Uddin’s condition, Tarique Rahman instructed the central health affairs secretary of the BNP, Dr. Rafiqul Islam, and representatives including Amra BNP Poribar coordinator Atikur Rahman Rumon and advisor Alomgir Kabir to visit him. The team inquired about his condition and spoke with family members.While receiving treatment, Nizam Uddin Mondal said, “I will not break my vow. As long as BNP is not in power, even if I die, I will not eat rice. I have no other desires.”Dr. Debabrata, in-charge of the medicine department at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, stated, “Lesions have been found in Nizam Uddin’s lungs. Further tests are required to determine if it is cancer. Therefore, advanced treatment is needed.”Dr. Rafiqul Islam, BNP’s central health affairs secretary, said, “Nizam Uddin is a supporter of BNP. His commitment and love for the party have been acknowledged with respect by Tarique Rahman. After being informed of his illness, Tarique Rahman called us that very night and asked us to look into his condition. Upon consulting local doctors, we learned that he may be suffering from a serious illness that requires specific tests available only at PG Hospital (BSMMU). All treatment expenses will be borne by the BNP.” AKM Kibria Swapon, Member Secretary of Faridpur District BNP; Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Shamim, President of DAB Faridpur; and other leaders of district BNP and affiliated organizations were present.