Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim pointed to BNP-Jamaat and said that today's Mujibnagar Day vow should be to resist those who want to hand over non-communal Bangladesh to communal forces.
He said this at a discussion meeting on Mujibnagar Day at the historical Mujibnagar Amrakanan in Meherpur on Wednesday (April 17) afternoon.
He said, we observe the day from our consciousness and the values of the liberation war. The oath of this day is to resist those who do not want the anti-independence non-sectarian power of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Awami League presidium council member Kazi Zafarullah said that Bangladesh was recognized by the international community through the oath of the first government on April 17, 1971.
On the other hand, accusing BNP of anti-national conspiracy, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said, BNP and their domestic and foreign allies have distorted the history of the liberation war by creating the situation after 1975.
He also said that after the BNP came to power, the Collaborator Act was abolished and 15,000 war criminals were freed. Banned war criminals have given Jamaat-e-Islami an opportunity to do politics. They are still conspiring against Bangladesh. They do not believe in freedom.
In the speech of the chief guest, Kazi Zafarullah said that Mujibnagar Day is a matter of historical importance. But it is a matter of great regret that there is no nationwide initiative to celebrate the day. Therefore, he drew the attention of the Minister of Liberation War to take measures to observe the day at the district and upazila level of the country from next year.
Bangladesh Awami League organized this meeting to celebrate Mujibnagar Day on April 17, the day of swearing in of the first government in 1971. Besides, the district administration and Ministry of Liberation War organized various grand events around Amrakanan to celebrate the day.
Public Administration Minister Forhad Hossain was the special speaker on the occasion, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was the guest of honor. Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Khairuzzaman Liton, son of the first government's Home, Agriculture and Rehabilitation Minister AHM Kamruzzaman, State Minister for Children and Women Affairs Simin Hossain Rimi, daughter of the first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed, Awami League Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain were special guests. The special speaker was Dr. Abu Saleh Mohammad Nazmul Haque Sagar, Member of Parliament for Meherpur-2 Constituency, District A-League General Secretary MA Khalek, Member of Bangladesh Awami League Syeda Zakia Noor Lipi, Adv. Amirul Alam Milan, Parveen Zaman Kalpana and Nirmal Kumar Chatterjee. Central and local leaders of Awami League were present.
Earlier, ministers, government officials and Awami League leaders laid wreaths at the Mujibnagar memorial at 9:30 am. Awami League leaders hoisted the national and party flags after laying wreaths. This was followed by a guard of honor and parade. Police, BGB, Ansar, BNCC, Girl's Guide and the parade of students from various educational institutions impressed the thousands of people present.
In the second phase, the discussion meeting was held at the Sheikh Hasina stage. At the end of the discussion, the Bangladesh Ansar-VDP orchestra team performed a ballad called "Sonali Sapner Desh" where the development activities of the government are highlighted.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Liberation War and Meherpur district administration jointly organized a grand event. From the previous day, festoons, arcades, colors and lighting were done all over the Mujibnagar complex. In the evening, artists of the country will perform music in a wonderful cultural program.