1971 spirit ruined for lack of democracy

The spirit of the Liberation War has been totally ruined as there is no democracy in the country, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam said yesterday.

"Today a play is being staged regarding election… and the duty of the Election Commission has been to serve the ruling party," he told a discussion on Independence Day at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital.

Fakhrul also protested the rape and killing of Shohagi Jahan Tonu, a student and cultural activist in Comilla.

"Comilla has raised its voice [demanding punishment for Tonu's killers], and so will Bangladesh. I am urging the women's leaders of the country to protest the incident," he said.

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday called for building a strong national unity to protect democracy.

In a message issued on the occasion of Independence Day today, she said people fought in the Liberation War to build a country free from exploitation and deprivation, but the goal was not achieved yet.