Dhaka, March 22 (BDNEWS) – A 10-day BNP programme on Independence and National day began Tuesday with its leaders refreshing their claim that late President Ziaur Rahman proclaimed the country's Independence on March 26 in 1971.
They also said those who are doing the politics of Awami League are not the real freedom fighters. They were the war refugees in the neighbouring country.
BNP secretary general and LGRD minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan inaugurated the programme at Ramna Batamul in the city hoisting national flag and releasing colourful balloons and pigeons.
Bhuiyan said the country has achieved tremendous success in various fields, including education, health and reducing the poverty, in the last 34 years since the country's independence in 1971.
"We got back our freedom of expressions and achieved remarkable success in reducing poverty, but this was totally different from the post-liberation war period," he said pointing his finger to post-independence AL regime and the famine in 1974.
"But the opposition, instead of playing a supplementary role in rebuilding the country, is creating anarchy through calling hartals," he added.
Jute and Textile minister Shahjahan Siraj said there was no declaration of independence till the night of 25th March in 1971 when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested.
"Had it been occurred, I must knew it, because I was with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at that night," he added.
"Ziaur Rahman declared the country's independence on March 26," he claimed.
Siraj, however, lauded Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his role in 6-point demand that culminated into the country's independence movement.
Juba Dal president Barkat Ullah Bulu said those who are now doing the politics of AL, are not real freedom fighters. "They were war refugees, not freedom fighters. They didn't engage themselves in Liberation war," he said putting the blame on AL for creating a massive famine in 1974.
BNP joint secretary general Gowyeshar Chandra Roy said: "We don't want to make anyone our master as well as make the country friendless one."
Jointly organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijudda Dal and Jatiyatabadi Muktijudder Projonma, the discussion on was addressed, among others, by State minister for Liberation War Affairs Prof Rezaul Karim and City BNP general secretary Abdus Salam.
BDENEWS/2005 hrs
