Zia was a Mir Zafar: Inu

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has described BNP founder Ziaur Rahman as the fourth Mir Zafar of Bangladesh’s history.

‘Mir Zafar’ is a historical figure whose name has become synonymous with "treachery”.

Inu on Friday bracketed Zia with him, accusing the former President of betraying Bangladesh’s history and its Constitution after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Aug 15, 1975.

The President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Bheramara Upazila in Kushtia on Friday.

“Ziaur Rahman knew that people spontaneously participated in the Liberation War under Bangabandhu’s leadership,” said Inu, “and he took part in the war as a Sector Commander under the government formed with Bangabandhu as its President.”

Even after the war, Inu further said, Zia had served as an army officer under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government.

But after Bangabandhu’s assassination, the scenario changed as Zia betrayed the Constitution and history of Bangladesh, continued the senior politician.

Criticising political activities of Zia’s wife BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the information minister claimed she was trying every means to cover up her husband’s ‘treachery’.

He said she would not be able to shrug off the sensational incidents such as Chittagong arms haul case, Aug 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004, and two corruption cases.

Inu later visited the shrine of saint Hazrat Solaiman Shah Chishti at Bheramara’s Golapnagar.