Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Monday denounced the BNP's call for movement in the month of Ramadan, disregarding its sanctity and peace in public life.
She also urged the countrymen to remain alert about any move against the country's development.
"They (BNP) have announced movement even in the month of Ramadan. Give the people a sigh of relief from the movement during the month of Ramadan," she said at a party meeting marking the 53rd Independence and National Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka, BSS reported.
The premier reminded the countrymen that Khaleda Zia had killed 17 labourers with bullets in the month of Ramadan as they waged a movement for raising their salaries.
"Those who shot people dead in the month of Ramadan, how will they show respect to Ramadan? So, they have called for a movement. The BNP does not sympathize with the sufferings of people,” she said.
“We have decided not to hold any Iftar party but to distribute the money and food among the common people in the month of Ramadan, aimed at easing their sufferings,” the premier said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced fresh programs at an Iftar party at the Ladies Club in Dhaka on Friday. The party will stage sit-in programs from 2pm to 4pm on April 1 at all metropolitan cities and districts towns. Besides, a similar program will be observed from 3pm to 5pm on April 8 at all thana in metropolitan cities and at all upazilas in the districts.
They will also stage sit-in or form human chain programs and distribute leaflets from 4pm to 6pm at the union levels from April 9-13.
The premier also criticized the BNP leaders and some so-called intellectuals for not seeing democracy and development despite the fact that the world community is showing respect to Bangladesh after seeing its massive development.
The premier said Bangladesh has secured huge development in the last 14 years since the Awami League government assumed power in 2009 due to her government's tireless efforts and continued democratic process.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members Shajahan Khan, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddinm and others spoke on the occasion. Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, and his deputy Syed Abdul Awal Shameem moderated the discussion.