Ashraful slams US

The Awami League has slammed the United States for its role in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971.

It would have been difficult for Bangladesh to attain independence had US succeeded in its move, said Syed Ashraful Islam, spokesman for the ruling party.

“The then American President Richard Nixon had tried to thwart our War of Independence. He had sent the Seventh Fleet to the Indian Ocean,” he told an Awami League-organised discussion marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day.

“It would have been difficult to achieve independence if it could do its job.”

“We have not achieved our independence because of anybody’s kindness. We should not fear anyone. The daughter of Bangabandhu, whose father liberated our country, is leading us.”

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“Our party is the oldest in the country. Millions of people love and support this party.”

“We fear neither our domestic nor external foes,” he asserted.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also President of the Awami League, attended the discussion as the chief guest, with the party’s Presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair.

Syed Ashraf also questioned the objectivity of the newspapers in Bangladesh.

“As newspapers are not doing objective reporting, they are losing people’s trust,” he observed.

“Now many people write columns in the newspapers. News should be objective. Newspaper must not carry report on assumptions because media industry is losing credibility because of that.

“It is not good news for democracy.”

The Awami League spokesman also criticised the television talk-shows.

“There is another thing called talk show on television. From their comments it appears that they (penalists) have conquered not only Bangla but also the world.”

“The one who takes part in the discussion on child health or hygiene is also seen discussing politics. This type of media is unfortunate for democracy.”

He also came down hard on a few countries for their reaction to the execution of Abdul Quader Molla’s death penalty in Bangladesh.

“Democracy cannot be established in any country without independent, neutral and objective media, nor can it be entrenched.”

“According to some media reports, 40 persons are hanged in the US every year. There is still execution of death penalty in their country.”

“You don’t see it as a problem when one is executed in your country but for you it is a problem when (war criminal) Quader Molla is hanged in our country,” Ashraf continued.

“Not only are people killed through judicial execution, but also through drone attacks. (Former Iraq president) Saddam Hossain was not only sentenced to death, his head was also severed from his torso.”

“His death penalty was executed on an Eid day.”

“(Al-Qaeda founder and chief Osama) bin Laden was killed without any warrant. Even his body was not allowed to be buried. What kind of civilised killing was that?” he posed the question for the critics.