DHAKA – Senior Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed on Saturday said the main opposition BNP celebrates the birthday of its leader on August 15, the National Mourning Day, because they emerged on the day on the bloods of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.“It is regrettable when we see leader of a major political party celebrates her birthday by cutting cake on August 15 when the nation observes the National Mourning Day recalling the brutal killing of one of the greatest leaders of the world (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) on the same day,” he said while addressing as the chief guest a discussion meeting at the National Press Club.
The AL leader questioned the motive behind not celebrating the birthday of the leader between 1991 and 1995 and sudden celebration of it from 1996.
“A political party, leader of which was involved in the killing of Bangabandhu, cannot mourn on August 15. That’s why they celebrate the birthday when the nation mourns. I leave it to the people of the country for their judgement,” he added.
Jatiya Party (JP-Manju) organised the discussion to mark the 38th martyrdom of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Presided over by JP President Anwar Hossain Manju, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam, AL leader Prof Dr Abu Saeed, JP Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Convenor of City Unit Abdur Rahim and Additional Secretary General Sadeque Siddiqui.
Tofail Ahmed, a member of AL Advisory Council, called upon all establish Bangabandhu’s dreamt Sonar Bangla by getting united in the light of sprit of 71.
He recalled the works and memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and said Bangladesh would never become independent if Bangabandhu was not born.
The AL leader said Bangabandhu was such a leader who did politics by setting his target. “He (Bangabandhu) united the people with the sprit of nationalism in phases. His target was to build a democratic and non-communal Bangladesh,” he added.
He emphasised the need for completion of incomplete works of Bangabandhu under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mahbubul Alam said Bangabandhu was above all greed and lust he wanted to turn Bangladesh a respected country in the comity of nations.
“Bangabandhu dreamt to make Bangladesh a terrorism and corruption free country,” he said.
The Independent Editor said a great man like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman cannot be erased from the minds of people.
“Bangabandhu will live forever in the hearts and minds of the people so long Bangladesh exists. Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are inter-related,” he added.
He said Bangabandhu wanted to bring smile in the face of people giving away his personal comfort.
Anwar Hossain Manju said there was political party within the AL-led grand alliance that does not observe the birthday of Bangabandhu.
“Bangabandhu had given lesson to protest not to compromise. But now we see the comprise to retain to power and go to power,”: he added.
