The BNP yesterday alleged that the ruling Awami League had destroyed the dreams of the martyred intellectuals by driving democracy into exile.
Murders, abductions and enforced disappearances have plagued the country like 1971, said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of BNP.
Martyred intellectuals dreamed of an independent and democratic Bangladesh. “But what are we experiencing today? Awami League assumed the office by force without any voting,” said Fakhrul.
The spokesperson of the party also alleged that conspiracy was hatched in 1971 to kill the intellectuals in a bid to turn it into a merit-less country and the same effort is still on.
“Fascism and absence of democracy contributed to such a state.”
Fakhrul came up with this allegation after placing wreaths at the capital’s Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.
Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia along with her senior party colleagues paid homage to the intellectuals murdered during the Liberation War.
Later, at a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, Fakhrul said the way the Pakistani occupiers killed the intellectuals of the country on the eve of victory, the same way the government is plotting to eliminate the opposition views.
“Pakistani occupiers killed those who could build an independent and democratic Bangladesh on the eve of victory in 1971. Now a conspiracy is going on to annihilate those having differences of opinions and beliefs,” he alleged.
“Everyday opposition leaders are becoming victims of killing and abduction.”
The BNP leader said restoration of democracy in the country is the only way to overcome such situation.
“Today we have to vow that fascist Awami league will be ousted and democracy will be restored in the country and for this intellectuals have to be united.
“Mujib Bahini was formed bypassing Mukti Bahini in 1971 with a view to eradicating those who fought in the battle field and expressed differences of opinions. It is history,” he said.
As the deputy chief of Liberation War AK Khandakar revealed the truth in his book on the Liberation War but unfortunately Awami League branded him as rajakar.
Ziaur Rahman, who proclaimed independence of the country, was labeled as an agent of Pakistan and even Tajuddin Ahmed also came under their scathing criticism, he alleged.
BNP standing committee members MK Anwar and Abdul Moyeen Khan and former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Emajuddin Ahmed, among others, spoke at the discussion.
