Leaders of different poitical parties yesterday paid tribute to the martyrs of 1971 through placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on the occasion of Independence and National Day.
After placing a wreath, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader came down heavily on the BNP by terming the party pro-Pakistan.
He also urged the countrymen to raise their voice against anti-liberation forces.
"The force that opposed the Liberation War is still active in the country in various forms even after 52 years of independence," he said. This force is involved in communalism and militancy.
He further said that whatever Pakistan says about the genocide of 1971, the BNP uses similar language on the issue. This is because they believe in Pakistani ideology, Quader said.
Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists, led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial at Savar in the morning. Later, they stood in solemn silence for a while in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War.
While talking to reporters, Fakhrul claimed that the Liberation War began in 1971 through the "proclamation of independence by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman".
However, according to historians, Zia, then a major in the Pakistan military, read out the declaration of independence on March 27.
It was issued by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before his arrest on March 25. It was made available to EPR shortly after midnight and it was duly broadcast through EPR radio communication system.
Fakhrul added: "The independence of Bangladesh was achieved through nine months of bloody struggle. We participated in the Liberation War with a dream and hope of building a democratic state. Unfortunately, even after 52 years of independence, people are sacrificing their lives and carrying on a struggle for democracy.”
The BNP leader said people have lost their right to speak and right to vote while journalists have lost their right to write the truth as an "authoritarian government" has been established in the country.
Jatiya Samajtrantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu said that there are some underachievements even after 53 years of independence.
After placing a wreath at the memorial in the morning, the former minister said there is gender disparity alongside other discriminations. Not everyone is able to enjoy the benefits of development and progress, the senior politician said.
He said that despite everything, Bangladesh has made its space in the world and it has upheld the spirit of the Liberation war and it will in the future.
On the other hand, Ganosamhati Andalan Coordinator Zonayed Saki told reporters that the prevailing environment is not conducive for the opposition parties to participate in polls.
After placing a wreath at the memorial, Saki said that the expectations of the people can only be fulfilled by the change in power. And the change must be a democratic one. The current regime is an autocratic one by nature, he added.