Noted writer and journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury said his support would continue for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her commitment to fight fundamentalism and try the war criminals.
On the occasion of his 80th birth anniversary Abdul Gaffar said: “What is the alternative to Hasina? Fundamentalism, militancy and drone attacks resulting in Bangladesh becoming like Afghanistan, or Pakistan or Iraq?”
“No, never, I am not in support of it. Sheikh Hasina is always against the fundamentalists and militants, which is why my support for her will continue until my death,” he said.
Gaffar Chowdhury made the remarks at the birthday celebration programme organised by the Birthday Celebrations Committee at Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Seminar Room of Bangla Academy in the capital yesterday.
Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy delivered the welcome speech, while Professor Rafiqul Islam, president of Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury Birthday Celebrations Committee presided over the event.
Gaffar went on to say that Sheikh Hasina and her party Awami League believed in secular politics. “But it is not possible for Hasina to control the fundamentalists alone. So we should help her in this regard.”
Earlier, the Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, prime minister’s political adviser HT Imam and former foreign minister Dipu Moni felicitated Abdul Gaffar on behalf of the PM.
Different cultural, social, political organisations and educational institutions also joined in the celebration.
Meanwhile, yesterday morning the Press Institute of Bangladesh accorded a reception to Abdul Gaffar on his birthday.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, popularly known as the lyricist of ‘Amar Bhaier Roktey Rangano Ekushey February’, was born in 1934 in Ulania, Barisal. He is also a well known writer, poet, author, and columnist.