Conspiracy underway to erase Liberation War spirit: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that a vested group is conspiring to erase the spirit of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, reports UNB.
"Those who had once collaborated with the Pakistani army to kill freedom fighters and to commit atrocities against women are now attempting to swallow the country," he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing a meeting with freedom fighters and their descendants at the Thakurgaon District Freedom Fighters Complex on Monday.
Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad district unit organised the event.
"There is a growing attempt to promote the idea that the freedom fighters of 1971 made no contribution to the Liberation War or the nation, and that only those active in 2024 deserve credit for everything," Fakhrul said.
"Thousands of my brothers were martyred in 1971, countless people were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in India and our mothers and sisters suffered atrocities and killings. Can we ever forget that?" he said in an emotion-choked voice.
He said the conspirators who had supported the Pakistani army in 1971 are now trying to 'swallow' the country by exploiting religious sentiments. "We cannot allow that. We must stand firm and uphold the spirit of our Liberation War," he said.
He warned that delaying the election through the ongoing conspiracies would mean the country's destruction and urged for an elected government is urgently needed.
Fakhrul also urged the interim government to announce the election schedule promptly and establish an elected government.
He told the freedom fighters that Begum Khaleda Zia established the Ministry of Freedom Fighters and today freedom fighters and their families are receiving allowances. "It was Begum Khaleda Zia who initiated these benefits."
He urged all to avoid creating divisions saying, "We, Hindus and Muslims, are brothers here, united. No one should be allowed to divide us."
Thakurgaon District Unit Command Muktijoddha Sangsad convener Bir Muktijoddha Nur Karim and its central command council member Nayeem Jahangir, among others, spoke at the event.