PM Hasina: Pro-Pakistan forces tried to erase the March 7 speech

Thanking the Unesco for recognising Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 7th March speech as a world heritage, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pointed out that the speech was banned in Bangladesh for 24 years as the “demonic pro-Pakistan forces of the 1971 Liberation War tried to erase Bangabandhu from the history.” “The Unesco has recognised Bangabandhu’s 7th March speech as world heritage, but a few people tried to erase the history of the Liberation War. We are ill-fated as associates of the Pakistani forces had banned Bangabandhu’s speech for 24 years as part of a conspiracy,” said the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of the Father of the Nation, said this while addressing a citizen’s rally at Suhrawardy Udyan Saturday noon. Awami League’s publicity sub-committee organised the rally to celebrate Unesco’s recognition of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic March 7 speech as a world documentary heritage. She said: “Some people tried to erase the history of Bangladesh. They also tried to erase the name of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 7th March speech. History cannot be erased and they will not be able to do this anymore.” Adding that the associates of the pro-Pakistan forces are still active in Bangladesh and had made desperate attempts in the past to humiliate the nation, the premier urged the people to be careful against any such move in the future. She said: “All Bangladeshis should be careful that not one of the associates of the defeated Pakistani forces can come to power.” Sheikh Hasina said: “The Unesco recognition clearly proves that no one can erase the history of the Bengali nation. The recognition has honoured all the Bangalis, the freedom fighters, and the family members of the martyrs.” She mentioned that Bangabandhu gave all the instructions for the Liberation War in his 7th March speech in advance. Through the speech, he had even directed the people about their duties in case of his absence, she added. She said: “My mother Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib asked my father to take some rest before going to Suhrawardy Udyan because he was tired. All the leaders had advised him to do so in different ways. Even some of them advised him to deliver a written speech. “Before he left for Suhrawardy Udyan, she (Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib) told my father – you know what you need to say. I was present there. She told my father that you know what you need to say; listen to your heart; you should say what your heart says. “Unesco’s recognition has enhanced Bangladesh’s pride. Today, we have to take an oath that we will never let Bangladesh bow down. We are a proud nation. We have stood tall and no one can defeat us.” Tens of thousands of people joined the rally to celebrate Unesco’s recognition of the speech as a “world documentary heritage.” The citizen’s rally was chaired by Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Dr Anisuzzaman. Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Dr Rafiqul Islam and celebrated writer and academic Professor Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal as special guests. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddiqui, Bangladesh National Alliance (BNA) Chairman Barrister Nazmul Huda, among others, were present. Unesco Country Representative in Dhaka, Beatrice Kaldun, journalist Golam Sarwar and Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, wife of martyred intellectual Dr Aleem Chowdhury, also spoke on the occasion. Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader read out the vote of thanks to the director general of the Unesco for according the recognition to the March 7 Speech of Bangabandhu. Later, noted singers Momtaj, Shahin Samad and Sajid Akbor enthralled the audience with their performances. Noted poet Nirmalendu Goon recited his poem “Swadhinata ei shabdati kibhabe amadeer holo” while Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor recited Syed Shamsul Haque’s “Parichoy.” The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on October 30, 2017 announced the inclusion of Bangabandhu’s historic March 7 speech in the Memory of the World International Register.