BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that more violent attacks like the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi could take place as Bangladesh moves toward a democratic transition, with the public hoping for free and fair elections.
Speaking to journalists after paying tribute to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial in Mirpur, Dhaka on Sunday, December 14, he said that when the defeat of the Pakistani occupying forces in 1971 became inevitable and Dhaka was surrounded by the Mukti Bahini, the Pakistani army, in collaboration with its local allies, carried out a planned massacre of the country’s intellectuals.
University teachers, doctors, researchers, poets, writers, journalists, and other prominent figures were abducted and killed in an attempt to cripple the nation intellectually. As a result, Bangladesh lost many of its finest sons.
He said this day reminds the nation of that deliberate effort to destroy Bangladesh’s intellectual foundation. Drawing a parallel with recent events, he added that in 2024 the country also witnessed the killing of its children.
Today, as Bangladesh again looks toward a new dawn and aspires to democracy through fair elections, the enemies of the country are once more engaging in violence. He reiterated strong condemnation of the recent incident and expressed concern that more such incidents may follow.
Mirza Fakhrul further said that BNP leaders paid tribute at the memorial on behalf of the party, their ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia, and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
He said they pledged to protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty at all costs and to continue advancing the country’s democratic journey. He also paid deep respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and democracy of Bangladesh, and expressed profound respect for the party’s founder and the proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, for the fundamental changes he brought to the nation.
BNP Standing Committee members, senior leaders, and leaders from the Dhaka metropolitan unit and affiliated organisations were present on the occasion.
KR/MHK