BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party will ensure the security of the warriors of last year’s July–August mass uprising if it is elected in the upcoming national election.
“Many of the July fighters of ’24 are concerned about what will happen to their security once the interim government leaves and a new government comes to power. I want to state this clearly that if we are elected through people’s votes, we will ensure the security for the July fighters,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said their party will not allow the July fighters to remain vulnerable or insecure.
He said the upcoming national election will determine whether Bangladesh moves forward on a democratic and liberal path or goes backwards.
Fakhrul also voiced concern that false propaganda and violence are being used to weaken BNP and tarnish its image.
Referring to the recent attack on BNP activist Osman Hadi, he said the party strongly condemned the attack, held protest programmes across the country and demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers.
“The attacker has been identified. It has been found that he is a killer and a terrorist linked to the Awami League. Yet they are asking why BNP should respond. Their only aim is to malign BNP with ill intentions,” Fakhrul said.
BNP organised the discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Victory Day. At the beginning of the programme, a special prayer was offered for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.
Fakhrul said all major positive achievements of Bangladesh came under the leadership of martyred President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP.
“The contributions of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP are inseparably linked with Bangladesh’s development, democracy and achievements,” he said.
Fakhrul said a new vision for the country is now emerging under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Fakhrul also recalled BNP’s sacrifices during the long 17-year struggle against fascism.
He warned that a group is trying to undermine democracy, stressing that the upcoming national election is extremely important for the country.
The BNP leader said the Pakistani forces and their collaborators carried out brutal repression and genocide against the people of this country, which the nation can never forget.
“Tomorrow, December 16, marks the defeat of the Pakistani occupying forces, and we must firmly remember this truth. The war that began with the declaration of independence by martyred President Ziaur Rahman in 1971 ended in victory after nine months of bloody struggle. This victory is the victory of our existence, territory and national identity,” Fakhrul said.
The BNP Secretary General said the political force that opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 had also opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
“Today, that same force wants to undermine Bangladesh’s independence, destroy democracy, and crush the hopes and aspirations of the people,” he said.
The BNP leader said nationalist forces will remain united, upholding the flag of independence, sovereignty and democracy.
Fakhrul prayed for the good health of Khaleda Zia, paid tributes to the martyrs, and called upon all to turn Victory Day into a commitment to restore democracy.
He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh on December 25, carrying the national flag of independence, democracy and nationalism.
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said the younger generation does not know enough about history.
“It is true that martyred President Ziaur Rahman declared independence. But did he declare it and then go to sleep? He fought in the war,” Abbas said.
He said while the offices of all other sector commanders during the Liberation War were located inside India, Ziaur Rahman’s command office was inside Bangladesh.
“He (Zia) stayed inside the country, took up arms, lived in bunkers and fought on the battlefield. That is why we are proud soldiers of Ziaur Rahman,” Abbas said.