BNP chief Khaleda betraying 1971 martyrs: PM

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has betrayed Bangladesh’s martyrs by agreeing to ‘Pakistan’s version of history’, says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

She spoke of Pakistan’s attempts to contradict the history of the Liberation War, during the Ekushey Padak ceremony on Monday.

“I don’t know if there is a link between their propaganda and (Khaleda Zia’s) statements,” she said.

“But they seem to carry the same tune, which is like betraying our martyrs.” 

Pakistan again tried to distort history through a book that was published recently, she said.

“They tried to blame freedom fighters for the mass killings they committed during the war. They used a false caption under a photo for a report they have been circulating.”

Hasina spoke of her government’s initiatives to get international recognition for Mar 25 as ‘Genocide Day’.

On this day in 1971, Pakistani Army began killing Bengali civilians indiscriminately under ‘Operation Searchlight’ against the struggle for autonomy in what was then East Pakistan.

“They committed such horrible acts. They killed people every single day. Three million died. 200,000 were raped. This is the truth.”

“But our misfortune is that politicians in our country ... I’ll call them out my name ... BNP chief Khaleda Zia said some days ago that three million people were not killed during the war. She claimed the figure isn’t correct!”

“This is nothing but blatant disrespect for those who died on our path to independence.”