The Islampur Upazila authorities in Jamalpur celebrated Independence Day and National Day on March 26 but without any audience. The speakers made their speech from a dais in front of an empty field.
Freedom Fighters have expressed their anger about this. However, the authorities claim that people have attended the event relatively well despite that it is the month of Ramadan.
The day’s program was held in Islampur High School grounds with 31 cannons. Officials of the Upazila administration, various political organizations, and employees of all government and semi-government and autonomous institutions participated in it.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Sirajul Islam gave the opening speech at 8am. The chief guest of the program, Religious Affairs Minister and Jamalpur-2 lawmaker Faridul Haque Khan, was absent.
Later, Upazila Parishad Chairman Advocate SM Jamal Abdun Naser Babul and former commander of Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Manikul Islam Manik spoke as special guests from the dais.
At that time, some guests were seen on the stage behind the dais, but there were no people in front of the speakers. Apart from this, even though the invitation letter for the event mentions the assembly of students from educational institutions and a sports competition, those were not held.
Former chairman of Palbandha Union Parishad and Freedom Fighter Shahdat Hossain Swadhin said: “The organizers could not make the common people understand about Independence Day. As a result, ordinary people did not come to the event. People should be made aware of the significance of Independence Day. Only then will people come to these events.”
General Secretary of Gaibandha Union Awami League and Freedom Fighter Rafiqul Islam expressed discontent over the matter. He said: "We made this country independent by taking part in the Liberation War by risking our lives. It’s a matter of regret if people don't turn up for Independence Day celebrations for whatever reason. If the invitation was given properly, there would definitely be people.”
Asked about it, Freedom Fighter Manikul Islam Manik said: "People did not come because of the looting of the ruling party in collusion with the administration. In the future, there will be less people in these events. Because of excessive corruption, the common people will not want to listen to the people of the administration and the ruling party.”
He added: "We are surprised that the grounds for important events like Independence Day are empty. It cannot be accepted.”
Headmaster of Islampur High School Mahbub Alam said: "We were given an invitation from the administration to take the students of our school to the event. However, we cancelled the decision later due to the possibility of the children suffering due to fasting.”
Upazila Parishad Chairman Jamal said: "There were people on the stage. However, due to Ramadan, the program was shortened so there were no people in front of the stage. Apart from that, common people are not supposed to attend the event. Officials and members of the Upazila Administration, police, Ansar and Fire Service participated in the event.”
UNO Md Sirajul Islam said presence of people was satisfactory even in the month of Ramadan. He claimed that the invitations were done properly.
