Exercise real democracy considering political changeover: Tarique

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman urged on Friday the countrymen to exercise real democracy keeping in mind the changed political scenario in the country.
"We have to be united for reviving rules of law and independence of judiciary and establishing a political system which will accommodate different faiths and ways," he said in a message sent to the media on the eve of Martyred Intellectuals Day ( November 14).
"I show my profound respect to the intellectuals who were martyred at the hands of occupational forces and their collaborators during our War of Liberation in 1971," he said.
"Martyred Intellectuals Day is a day of mourning," he said, adding that the martyred intellectuals wanted to see a prosperous and self-dependent Bangladesh.
"Martyred intellectuals are rare sons of the country. They wanted to see a self-reliant Bangladesh. They had also expected a democratic country free from exploitation," he maintained.
Calling upon the countrymen to work together for building a prosperous and discrimination-free Bangladesh, he said, "Let's build a Bangladesh as desired by our martyred Intellectuals."
He also conveyed his sympathy to the family members of the martyrs and prayed for salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs.
Meanwhile, BNP has taken a number of programmes marking Martyred Intellectuals Day to be observed today (Saturday) and to celebrate Victory Day on Monday, (December 16).
In observance of Martyred Intellectuals Day, BNP leaders and activists will pay homage to the martyred intellectuals at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the capital this morning.
The party will keep the national flag at half-mast and hoist black flags atop all its offices on the occasion.
BNP will hold a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 2pm tomorrow (Sunday) marking Victory Day.
An open concert will be arranged at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue at 3pm on Monday (December 16). "Sobar Age Bangladesh" (Bangladesh before all) will organise the concert.
BNP's Nayapaltan central office and the party chairperson's Gulshan office will be illuminated on the occasion of Victory Day.
The party's different units and associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes across the country.

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