Staff Reporter :
Awami League (AL) senior leaders on Monday said that people would give befitting reply to Pakistan and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for their conspiracy to make Bangladesh a failed country.
They came up with the warning at AL-led 14-party alliance’s one-hour human chain, starting from 4 pm, from Gabtoli to Jatrabari intersections in the city as part of its campaign against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her controversial remarks about the number
of 1971 Liberation War martyrs. The human chain was also formed to protest against Pakistan’s interference in Bangladesh’s internal politics amid growing discontent between the two countries. They also demanded to sever relations with Pakistan if the country does not seek apology for its remarks and recent activities.
Member of AL Advisory Council and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Party’s presidium members and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Maya, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and other leaders and workers took part in human chain at city’s different strategic points.
Thousands of leaders and workers of the 14-party alliance in processions gathered at Gabtoli, Shyamoili, Dhanmondi 27, Russell Square, Green Road, Bashundhara, Sonargaon Hotel, Shahbagh, Motshya Bhaban, Press Club, Paltan Crossing, Nur Hossain Square, Gulistan Park, Ittefaq crossing, Rajdhani Market, Saidabad and Jatrabari intersections.
As the protesters took to the streets serious traffic congestion was created at different places of the city causing untold sufferings to the commuters. Tofail Ahmed said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia echoed the opinion of Pakistan raising a question on the total figure of the martyrs in the Liberation War.
“Both Khaleda Zia and Pakistan want to make Bangladesh a failed state. But people of the country will foil their conspiracy unitedly,” he said while addressing the human chain at Russell Square.
He termed Begum Zia’s remarks as nothing rather echoed the opinion of Pakistan in this matter.
“Bangabandhu had delivered a speech at the Suhrawardy Udyan referring to the 30 lakh of martyrs. But Begum Zia disrespected the martyrs and martyred intellectuals by questioning the number of martyrs,” he added.
Mohammad Nasim announced during Monday’s protest that the alliance would organise similar human chain programmes in all district headquarters on February 24 to protest Begum Zia’s remarks. He made the announcement when he addressed the supporters at Bangabandhu Square in the capital.
Nasim said Pakistan could not forget their defeat in 1971, and when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina moved to try the war criminals, Pakistan started interfering in the internal matter of Bangladesh.
“We requested Pakistan to refrain from interfering”, he said urging Khaleda Zia to stop conspiracy and forget Pakistan.
“You (Khaleda) should be made accountable for your controversial remarks about the number of 1971 Liberation War martyrs,” Mohammad Nasim said.
Matia Chowdhury in her speech criticised Khaleda Zia for her destructive politics of arson for 92 days during a non-stop transport blockade programme last year to demand ouster of the government and an early election. She said Khaleda returned to her Gulshan house from office later, conceding a defeat and humiliation as people did not respond to her call of transport blockade.
“During more than 90 days of violent campaign up to 150 people were killed across the country last year,” the Agriculture Minister said.
She said Pakistan gave her (Zia) support by asking her to question the number of 1971 Liberation War martyrs, and the BNP Chairperson and her party men accepted that doctrine.
“When she (Khaleda) was the Prime Minister she mentioned the number of the martyrs exactly but now she is questioning it,” Matia Chowdhury said, adding You (Khaleda) better go to Pakistan.
” We will never allow you to destroy peace in Bangladesh”, she said. Obaidul Quader observed that time has not come to sever diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
“The diplomatic equation is different. Time has not come to take decision in this regard,” he said
“None will survive by hatching conspiracy as long as the people of the country are united,” he added.
Awami League (AL) senior leaders on Monday said that people would give befitting reply to Pakistan and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for their conspiracy to make Bangladesh a failed country.
They came up with the warning at AL-led 14-party alliance’s one-hour human chain, starting from 4 pm, from Gabtoli to Jatrabari intersections in the city as part of its campaign against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her controversial remarks about the number
of 1971 Liberation War martyrs. The human chain was also formed to protest against Pakistan’s interference in Bangladesh’s internal politics amid growing discontent between the two countries. They also demanded to sever relations with Pakistan if the country does not seek apology for its remarks and recent activities.
Member of AL Advisory Council and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Party’s presidium members and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Maya, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and other leaders and workers took part in human chain at city’s different strategic points.
Thousands of leaders and workers of the 14-party alliance in processions gathered at Gabtoli, Shyamoili, Dhanmondi 27, Russell Square, Green Road, Bashundhara, Sonargaon Hotel, Shahbagh, Motshya Bhaban, Press Club, Paltan Crossing, Nur Hossain Square, Gulistan Park, Ittefaq crossing, Rajdhani Market, Saidabad and Jatrabari intersections.
As the protesters took to the streets serious traffic congestion was created at different places of the city causing untold sufferings to the commuters. Tofail Ahmed said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia echoed the opinion of Pakistan raising a question on the total figure of the martyrs in the Liberation War.
“Both Khaleda Zia and Pakistan want to make Bangladesh a failed state. But people of the country will foil their conspiracy unitedly,” he said while addressing the human chain at Russell Square.
He termed Begum Zia’s remarks as nothing rather echoed the opinion of Pakistan in this matter.
“Bangabandhu had delivered a speech at the Suhrawardy Udyan referring to the 30 lakh of martyrs. But Begum Zia disrespected the martyrs and martyred intellectuals by questioning the number of martyrs,” he added.
Mohammad Nasim announced during Monday’s protest that the alliance would organise similar human chain programmes in all district headquarters on February 24 to protest Begum Zia’s remarks. He made the announcement when he addressed the supporters at Bangabandhu Square in the capital.
Nasim said Pakistan could not forget their defeat in 1971, and when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina moved to try the war criminals, Pakistan started interfering in the internal matter of Bangladesh.
“We requested Pakistan to refrain from interfering”, he said urging Khaleda Zia to stop conspiracy and forget Pakistan.
“You (Khaleda) should be made accountable for your controversial remarks about the number of 1971 Liberation War martyrs,” Mohammad Nasim said.
Matia Chowdhury in her speech criticised Khaleda Zia for her destructive politics of arson for 92 days during a non-stop transport blockade programme last year to demand ouster of the government and an early election. She said Khaleda returned to her Gulshan house from office later, conceding a defeat and humiliation as people did not respond to her call of transport blockade.
“During more than 90 days of violent campaign up to 150 people were killed across the country last year,” the Agriculture Minister said.
She said Pakistan gave her (Zia) support by asking her to question the number of 1971 Liberation War martyrs, and the BNP Chairperson and her party men accepted that doctrine.
“When she (Khaleda) was the Prime Minister she mentioned the number of the martyrs exactly but now she is questioning it,” Matia Chowdhury said, adding You (Khaleda) better go to Pakistan.
” We will never allow you to destroy peace in Bangladesh”, she said. Obaidul Quader observed that time has not come to sever diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
“The diplomatic equation is different. Time has not come to take decision in this regard,” he said
“None will survive by hatching conspiracy as long as the people of the country are united,” he added.
