“You’re trying to revoke the gallantry title of Ziaur Rahman who had started the Liberation War of the country. He was also the first sector commander of the Liberation War…you’ve no right to repeal the title conferred on Ziaur Rahman,” he said.

Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said a conspiracy is there to snatch Zia’s Bir Uttam title as people are ready to free the country from Sheikh Hasina’s hands.

 “I urge all to unite for ousting the government, and I’m calling you for initiating a movement,” he added.

Also read: Jamuka cannot revoke Ziaur Rahman’s gallantry title: BNP

As part of the party’s countrywide programme in all cities, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units jointly arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council’s (Jamuka’s) reported move to remove Ziaur Rahman’s Bir Uttam title.

As the rally ended around 12pm with Mosharraf’s speech, BNP leaders and activists locked into a clash with police, leaving over a hundred people injured.

Besides, police detained at least 18 people from the spot in connection with the clash.

Also read: BNP’s two-day demo protesting move to revoke Zia’s title

Meanwhile, the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council at a meeting on Tuesday last discussed the ways to revoke the gallantry title of Ziaur Rahman for ‘violating’ the constitution, ‘abetting’ the self-proclaimed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in escaping the country.

Bir Uttam, the second-highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh, was conferred on Ziaur Rahman for his contributions to the Liberation War as a sector commander.

Speaking at the rally, Mosharraf said Jamuka has no jurisdiction to annul Zia’s gallantry title. “This title was given by the highest level of the government at that time after the independence as per a decision of a committee evaluating his contributions to the Liberation War.”

Also read: BNP criticises move to repeal Zia’s gallantry title

He said Jamuka also has no authority to give any one any gallantry title now for the Liberation War’s contributions. “So, it has also no jurisdiction to cancel any title of anyone.”