Call for ending inequalities as Bangladesh celebrates 47 years of victory against Pakistan

The youth along with academicians and freedom fighters think Bangladesh is still fighting to end inequalities despite different socio-economic achievements 47 years after the Liberation War.

Joyanta Sahabdnews24.com
Published : 16 Dec 2018, 10:19 PM
Updated : 18 Dec 2018, 03:55 AM

Bangladeshis are still searching for the meaning of independence as they have not achieved the victory they expect, people from different echelons of society said during Victory Day celebrations on Sunday.

“Bangladesh has made great progress in many sectors. The country is marching forward in terms of development, but many hurdles have remained on the path towards development,” Captain Lutfur Rahman, who fought the War of Independence against Pakistan under Sector-2, told bdnews24.com at the National Memorial in Savar.

“We are yet to overcome these obstacles. We got an independent country, but the expected victory has not yet come. That’s why we have to search for the meaning of independence,” he added.

The war veteran strongly believes the youth who trust in the spirit of the Liberation War will lead Bangladesh forward.

Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Farzana Islam thinks attempts to distort Bangladesh’s history during the military rules after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have poisoned the minds of the youth.

“They don’t want to realise how much sacrifice the Bengalees had made in order to carve out their own nation. The young generations still search for the meaning of independence. We must make them forget the distorted history and teach them the truth,” she said.

National University VC Harun-or-Rashid said, “We achieved independence in 1971, but the struggle for true freedom is still on and it will be a long one.”

He believes Bangladesh will achieve “true freedom” sooner rather than later if the youth hold the Liberation War spirit in their hearts.

“Many things have been achieved while many others have yet remained out of reach 47 years after independence,” Dhaka University VC Md Akhtaruzzaman said.

He said the government must ensure inclusion of all the people in the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.

Sultana Jahan, who is studying economics at Jahangirnagar University, said, “Economic inequalities must be addressed first if we want to enjoy the fruits of victory. Only rise in per capita income doesn’t indicate poverty alleviation.

“Everything will be meaningless if we can’t close the huge gap between the incomes of the poor and the rich,” she said.

Chander Kona, a trainee from Savar’s Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed or CRP, said gender inequalities must be reduced in the education sector.

Inclusion of the marginal people in economic development should also be increased to ensure proper development, she said.      

Rabiul Hossain Majumder, a young man, said the government must ensure employment for the youth.

“And there cannot be urban-rural inequalities in job. Inequalities in the service sector must also be reduced,” he remarked.

A group of youths on wheelchairs came from CRP. One of them, Kazi Belal will be casting his vote for the first time on Dec 30.

“It won’t be possible to join the list of developing countries by leaving the people with disabilities out. All we want is a little cooperation, not sympathy. Please give us the opportunity to work,” he said.

Youths who came to pay tributes to the Liberation War martyrs also vowed to stop the people linked to war criminals from bragging by voting against them in two weeks' time.

Around two dozen leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, which has lost its registration as a political party, are contesting in the election with the BNP’s ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol.

They include Nazibur Rahman Momen and Shameem Sayedee. Nazibur’s father Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami was hanged for his involvement in the mass killings of intellectuals. Shameem’s father Delwar Hossain Sayedee is serving jail term until death for crimes against humanity.

Many social and cultural organisations have expressed concern over the participation of people linked to war criminals in the election.

The youth at the National Memorial, however, brushed aside the fear.

Siddhartha Samaddar, a student of Sir Salimullah Medical College, said, “Not only the war criminals, those who are backing them for gains will never get my vote.”   

CRP trainee Shakila Khatun Mitu, Abdul Hannan from Savar, JU’s Sultana, Ayesha Akter, Zinia Farhana Nazneen and many others echoed Siddhartha’s view.