BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night said Ekushey had remained confined under a fascist regime, but this time it is free, creating an opportunity to build a just and discrimination-free democratic Bangladesh.

“Ekushey had long remained restricted under a fascist rule, but this time it is free. That is why our feelings are somewhat different today as after the election a newly elected BNP government has been formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman,” he said.

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Fakhrul, also Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister, made the remarks at the Central Shaheed Minar before paying tributes to the language martyrs, marking .Amar Ekushey’—the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibosh.

He said public expectations from the new government have grown immensely following the restoration of democracy.

“We expect to fulfil people’s aspirations in the coming days by building a truly democratic society in Bangladesh based on justice under a democratic government,” Fakhrul said.

He said the core spirit of Ekushey was to build a discrimination-free society and state in Bangladesh.

“On the basis of that spirit we will move forward in the coming days. We believe that with the inspiration of this new Ekushey we will be able to work for people’s welfare, enrich our mother language and culture, and consolidate the independence, sovereignty and democracy of Bangladesh,” Fakhrul added.