Anti-1971 axis now posing as builders of new Bangladesh: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said those who opposed Bangladesh's independence in 1971 have now changed their guise and are claiming that they will be the ones to build a new Bangladesh. 

But those who denied our birth and our independence cannot be trusted for any reason, he added.

The senior BNP politician came up with the remarks at a discussion marking Martyred Intellectuals Day, held at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh in the capital.

The BNP Secretary General stated that two distinct forces are evident ahead of the upcoming elections: one that supports Bangladesh and another that is regressive. The polarisation that has emerged today raises the question of what the people of Bangladesh will choose — independence, sovereignty, and democracy, or the regressive forces that opposed our independence in the past and sought to obstruct all our progress.

He added that the people of Bangladesh have repeatedly fought for independence, for their rights, and to protect their existence. “We know that on December 14, 1971, our finest intellectuals — our brightest minds — were killed. There can be no forgiveness for that. They killed our future. As this issue resurfaces today, we must reflect deeply upon it. This does not mean that, having ousted the fascists through the student-led uprising, we should allow a new fascism to take hold. We can never permit any force that seeks to drag us backwards to come to power,” he said

The BNP Secretary General noted that Khaleda Zia is in hospital, facing uncertainty on one hand. On the other, our beacon of hope – the leader (Tarique Rahman) who is guiding us – will join us on December 25. Let us accord him a reception on the 25th unlike any seen in Bangladesh before.

Fakhrul emphasised that those on the path of truth and righteousness achieve success through struggle. Today is the day to unite the people, foil all conspiracies as we have in the past, and realise the aspirations for a democratic Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming elections.

He said that a liberal, democratic Bangladesh – the Bangladesh of the people's dreams, of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's vision, of national leader Khaleda Zia's aspirations, and of Tarique Rahman's 31-point programme – is what we must build today.

The BNP leader highlighted the clear presence of two forces in this election: one pro-Bangladesh and pro-liberal democracy, committed to establishing true democracy – the force that upholds the principle of protecting freedom of speech even if it disagrees with another's views. The other is the regressive force that misleads people in the name of religion. We cannot forget this. In 1971, too, attempts were made to mislead in the name of religion. Even in 1947, when the Muslims of this land fought for self-determination, this force opposed it. In 1971, they stood against Bangladesh's independence. Today, they have altered their appearance and claim they can build a new Bangladesh. But those who denied our very existence and independence cannot be believed.

This senior BNP politician stated: "The soul of Bangladesh lies in the coexistence of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians with their own cultures and heritage since ancient times. This is Bangladesh. I believe the people will make the right choice in the upcoming elections. Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, who proclaimed independence; Khaleda Zia, who fought for democracy throughout her life; and Tarique Rahman, who is presenting the vision of a new Bangladesh through his 31 points — the people will vote to build that Bangladesh."

Mirza Fakhrul added: "We are all aware of the challenging situation. Since August 5, various propaganda campaigns have been launched against us. Attempts are being made to discredit the BNP via social media. We must overcome this. The new generation has the responsibility to resist this propaganda through struggle and building counter-narratives on social media."

The programme was also addressed by President of the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Abdus Salam, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and BNP’s Freedom Fighters' Affairs Secretary Colonel (retd) Zainul Abedin.