BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said his party pledged to establish Bangladesh as a democratic and modern state free of discrimination.
Speaking to reporters after paying tribute to martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Cemetery in Mirpur on Saturday (December 14) morning, he underscored the significance of defeating fascist forces to create new opportunities for progress.
Fakhrul said: “August 5 has created a new opportunity by defeating fascist forces. Using this opportunity, we want to establish Bangladesh as a truly democratic, modern state without discrimination.”
Marking Martyred Intellectuals Day, Fakhrul said on December 14, 1971, prominent journalists, professors, scientists, and intellectuals were abducted and killed by the Pakistani occupation forces just before Bangladesh’s victory in the Liberation War.
“On this day in 1971, we lost the best sons of the nation—individuals who were the guiding lights of our society,” he said, adding, “The people of Bangladesh fought in 1971 to build an independent, democratic, and prosperous nation, a vision declared through the Liberation War by Martyred President Ziaur Rahman.”
On behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and the party’s leadership, Fakhrul offered prayers and sought forgiveness for the martyred intellectuals.
Expressing optimism about holding a free and fair election soon, Fakhrul said, “We are always hopeful. An interim government is already in place, and we are cooperating. We expect an election to be held very soon according to the will of the people, giving them the opportunity to choose their representatives through a free, fair, and impartial process.”
Several senior BNP leaders, including Standing Committee members Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, along with Chairperson’s Advisors Abul Khair Bhuiyan and Abdus Salam, and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, were attended the event.
BDST: 1247 HRS, DEC 14, 2024
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