PM blasts BNP for not observing 'Genocide Day'

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday blasted BNP-Jamaat clique for not observing the 'Genocide Day' commemorating Pakistan's brutality on Bangalees in 1971.

"BNP-Jamaat clique's refusal to abide by the parliamentary and cabinet decision to observe Genocide Day on March 25 made it clear that they don't believe in country's independence and still consider the perpetrators of the genocide as their near and dear ones," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a discussion organized by Bangladesh Awami League (AL) central committee marking 47th Independence and National Day at Bangladesh Krishibid Institution auditorium here.

The nation observed the 'Genocide Day' on March 25 this year for the first time commemorating the atrocities of Pakistani Army on the unarmed Bengalees in 1971.

The parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017 to observe the day which was subsequently endorsed by the cabinet. The government issued a gazette notification in this regard on March 21.

"Through their gesture BNP-Jamaat made it clear that they are not with the people of Bangladesh who suffered for nine months of Liberation War, they are rather with the Razakar, Al-badr, Al-shams and occupation force," Sheikh Hasina said adding that "their character is now crystal clear".

She said the BNP-Jamaat rewarded the killers of Bangabandhu, made the war criminals members of their cabinet. So they don't believe in the country's independence and don't want welfare of the people.

Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, presided over the function while senior presidium member of Awami League Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Begum Matia Choudhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, MP, and Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain took part in the discussion.

Joint secretary of the party Mahbubul Alam Hanif, MP, Chairman of Gazipur District Council Akhteruzzaman, women leader Simmi Ahmed, general secretary of Dhaka North City unit Sadek Khan also spoke at the meeting conducted by party's Publicity Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud and Deputy Publicity Secretary Aminul Islam.

Reiterating her government's firm stance against terrorism and militancy, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh would never have room for militants and terrorists. Ongoing drive against the evil forces would continue, she said.

"It's very unfortunate that people are being killed in the name of Islam, which speaks of peace," Sheikh Hasina said adding that their activities are maligning Islam in the global arena and made the life of Muslims miserable."

She urged the people, particularly the guardians and teachers, to keep close surveillance on their kids to keep them away from radicalization. Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the present world which is progressing fast with economic prosperity. "So it cannot tolerate any such activities," she added.

Pointing out Bangladesh's victory in a one-day cricket match against Sri Lanka which coincided with the operation Twilight against militants in Sylhet, the Prime Minister said she was watching the match with utmost worries amidst drive against the militants.

“We don't want militancy. We want to build Bangladesh as a peaceful country," she said asking every house owners to take elaborate information about tenants before renting their homes. “Otherwise, you may suffer,” she warned.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh was not liberated by any whistleblower. It was Bangabandhu who suffered his whole life to free the Bangalee nation from subjugation and in view of this he took all steps in a planned manner, she added.

"The people who talk that nonsense are in fact anti-liberation elements and like to lick the boots of the defeated forces of 1971. There is no need to discuss the matter at all as the truth is clear to the people, particularly after verdict of the highest court on this issue.”

"There is no need to heed them who have no respect for the court order," the prime minister said adding that capture of power by anti-liberation forces within three and a half years of independence is a misfortune of the nation for which people of Bangladesh had to suffer 21 years.

Illegal rulers snatched their democratic rights, liberty and were out to destroy the nation. They betrayed with the martyrs of independence, freed the war criminals and rehabilitated them in politics, she said.

They didn't allow people to know the glorious history of the nation and exploitation and brutality of the occupation forces on Bangalee people, she said adding that the post-1975 rulers sold the sorrows and suffering of the people to beg help from foreign countries.

"Bangladesh could not talk in the global arena keeping its head high as the rulers projected it as a land of cyclone, flood, and beggars, and always tend to beg aid from international community to make their own fortune.

On the other hand, she said, Awami League didn't come to power to make their fortune. The party is making constant endevour for country's development following the footprint of Bangabandhu. “We always try to free people from hunger and provide them with education and healthcare.”

“We want to build Bangladesh as a scientifically and technologically advanced nation which would be able to sustain in the world through competition. No country could reduce poverty in a quick pace like us,” she said adding it was possible because of our sincere efforts, proper plans and policies.

“Power is not a delight for us; it's a duty to serve the nation. So I'm discharging my duties not as a ruler but as a servant," she said.

Source: BSS