Freedom fighters ignored at I-Day event: BNP

The BNP has alleged that the Liberation War Affairs Ministry and freedom fighters of the War of Independence were ‘neglected’ at the event where thousands sang the national anthem to create a world record on the 43rd Independence Day.

Bangladesh witnessed a historic moment on Wednesday when as many as 2,54,681 people gathered and sang the national anthem in chorus at the National Parade Square in Dhaka. The event was called ‘Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla’ (Sonar Bangla in tens of thousands of voices).

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan claimed that the party was also ignored as it was not invited to join the programme.

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After paying tributes to party founder and late president Ziaur Rahman at his grave, Khan told reporters, “Several ministries of the government organised this programme. But sadly the Liberation War Affairs Ministry did not have much involvement at the event, which means freedom fighters were vastly ignored.”

Asked why his party did not attend the event, he said no political parties were invited. “It’s only natural that BNP would be ignored when freedom fighters are neglected.”

“There is no democracy in the country. The Awami League has come to power through a voter-less and candidate-less national election on January 5. That’s why they are taking many anti-people decisions,” Khan said.

He also said the biggest challenge now was to restore democracy and the spirit of the Liberation War.