BNP doesn't believe in Liberation War spirit: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said in parliament that a BNP lawmaker's remark on nationalisation of 'Joy Bangla' slogan has proved that they don't believe in the country's independence and the spirit of the Liberation War.

"His (BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid's) remarks have proved that they don't believe in independence and the spirit of the Liberation War. They have love for Pakistan (pyare Pakistan) in their minds and they like doing slavery of Pakistan," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said this in the Jatiya Sangsad taking part in a general discussion on a motion brought to thank the Prime Minister and her cabinet colleagues for taking a "strong role" in announcing the "Joy Bangla" as the national slogan.

The House by a voice vote unanimously adopted the congratulatory motion which was placed House by lawmaker from Madaripur-2 constituency Shajahan Khan under the section-147 of the rules of procedure, following the general discussion. The Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over today's session, reports BSS.

Sheikh Hasina, also Leader of the House, said that after assuming power, military dictator Ziaur Rahman did the same things that the Pakistani occupation forces did during the Liberation War in 1971 when the "Joy Bangla" slogan was chanted.

They conducted various propagandas about the "Joy Bangla" slogan, she said, adding that the followers of Zia are still doing the same old things.

Today's remarks made by BNP lawmaker Harun have again proved that they have "pyare Pakistan" in their minds, she said.

The Prime Minister thanked the people of the country as the "Joy Bangla" has got recognition and dignity as the country's national slogan.

The motion states, "Parliament is in opinion that on behalf of the Bengali nation, sincere congratulations and thanks should be extended to Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Cabinet for their strong role in fulfilling the long-standing expectation of the nation to declare "Joy Bangla" as the national slogan through the announcement of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina."

The Leader of the House said that her government has announced "Joy Bangla" as the national slogan in line with the country's apex court's directives that "Joy Bangla" should be made the national slogan of the country.

She said there is no need to give her thanks for this, adding, "I want the motion to be accepted in parliament and the spirit of the Liberation war to come back."

The Prime Minister said the contributions of the freedom fighters to the Liberation War were erased after assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.

"At that time, freedom fighters did not dare to give their identities as the freedom fighters. The history of the Liberation War was distorted. The four principles --nationalism, democracy, socialism and secularism -- given by the Father of the Nation in the Constitution, were also distorted," she said.

The Prime Minister said that Bangabandhu had first given the Joy Bangla slogan and asked Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni to reach the slogan to the grassroots through the Chhatra League.

In a function, she said, Bangabandhu asked Sirajul Alam Khan to chant the slogan "Joy Bangla."

Sheikh Hasina said the Father of the Nation concluded her historic 7th march speech by chanting "Joy Bangla" and since then the slogan was made the slogan of the Liberation War and it immensely inspired the freedom fighters to join the war against the Pakistani occupation forces.

The Prime Minister said Ziaur Rahman had destroyed the spirit of the Liberation War and the Joy Bangla slogan, erased the name of the Father of the Nation and banned the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu which has now got international recognition.

"I will tell everyone that Bangladesh will march ahead with the spirit of the Liberation War and none can push the country behind anymore," she said.

Ziaur Rahman was directly linked to the killing of Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister said, referring to the interview of Bangabandhu's killers, removed Col Faruk and Col Rashid, with the BBC and the court proceedings.

"Why Mustaq made Ziaur Rahman the army chief immediately after assassination of the Father of the Nation if he was not directly involved with the killing," she questioned.