BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that after the country’s independence in 1971, all people embraced freedom.

“We do not want any division here. The narrative of who was for or against independence was created by the Awami League,” he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks on Sunday at an event titled "Sphulingo Theke Dabanol: Ovyutthaner Ojana Oddhay'", organised by Adarsha Publication at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University.

Salahuddin said, “They are the ones who have remained outside by arranging the forces of pro- and anti-independence. Will we use the same political weapon?”

He said, “We want a united Bangladesh. And what is that unity? That unity is the anti-fascist national unity of the student masses’ uprising of July 24. That unity is our national strength. And by utilizing that unity, we will build a democratic Bangladesh in the days ahead.”

He further said, “In the history of the world, no dictatorship has fallen naturally. Because they do not leave any path for their downfall. Just like Sheikh Mujib did. Taj Uddin’s daughter has written in her book that ‘you left no path for a normal transfer of power.’”

Salahuddin Ahmed called for ensuring that the student mass uprising of July 24 does not become another subject of spirit-business (political commodification of ideology), like the way the spirit of ’71 has been used.

The BNP leader said, “As long as the bloody history of Bangladesh is written, the name of Shaheed Abu Sayeed will shine brightly.”

It is to be noted that “Sphulingo Theke Dabanol” is a book on the July uprising written by DU Chhatra Dal Joint Secretary Abidul Islam Khan, which was unveiled at today’s event.