‘Zia wanted to reestablish Pakistan era’

Speakers at Awami League's webinar yesterday said Ziaur Rahman wanted to take the independent Bangladesh back to the condition during Pakistani era after the heinous killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Terming the assassination of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975 as most dreadful one in the history of Bangladesh, the speakers said Bangabandhu was the architect of Bangladesh and without him, independent Bangladesh would not have been established.

Taking part in the webinar, Awami League advisory council member Tofail Ahmed said the people of the country observed the day of August 15 every year with due respect and regret because Bangabandhu's sacrifice and leadership helped Bengalis achieve independence.

He said Awami League came to power after 21 years under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina and then the indemnity ordinance was annulled and the government began trying Bangabandhu's killers.

He said Sheikh Hasina has been working to establish a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu.

Awami League presidium member Matia Chowdhury said Bangalis supported the historic six-point movement of Bangabandhu and the whole nation rallied around him when he proclaimed independence.

AL General Secretary and Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader in a video message said national mourning day will have to be observed with a pledge to build Bangladesh based on the ideology of Bangabandhu.

Senior journalist Ajoy Dash Gupta moderated the webinar while presidium members Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman; editor of 'Uttaran' Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin and Education Minister and AL Joint General Secretary Dr Dipu Moni, among others, took part in the programme.