The Bangladesh Chhatra League gave a 24-hour ultimatum to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman to withdraw their claim that Ziaur Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh and he declared country’s independence first.
The student wing of the ruling Awami League made the demand at a protest rally yesterday afternoon at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. They later brought out a procession, marching up to the National Press Club.
After holding the rally, the speakers said Chhatra League would organise protest rallies in all educational institutions and districts and divisional headquarters across the country tomorrow unless Khaleda and Tarique withdrew their claims by today.
Chhatra League President HM Bodiuzzaman Shohag said: “Begum Khaleda Zia has failed in every aspect. Now she is trying to hatch a new conspiracy by claiming her husband Ziaur Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh. We do not expect such falsehood from a chief of a political party.”
DU unit President Mehedi Hasan Molla, General Secretary Omar sharif spoke among others at the rally. Central leaders Joydev Nandi, Mustafizur Rahman Mustak and others were present at the event along with hundreds of activists.
Later, Chhatra League activists burnt effigies of Khaleda.
On March 25, Tarique claimed that his father and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh. Khaleda also echoed her son on Thursday, also claiming that Zia had first proclaimed the country’s independence.
