BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “A new opportunity has been created by defeating the fascist forces on July 36 or August 5. By taking advantage of this opportunity, we want to establish Bangladesh as a truly democratic, modern state and a state without discrimination.”
He made these remarks to reporters after paying tribute to intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Cemetery in Mirpur on Saturday (December 14) morning.
Mirza Fakhrul said, “Today is Martyred Intellectuals Day. On this day in 1971, in the moments before victory, the Pakistani occupying forces abducted and killed Bangladesh’s prominent journalists, intellectuals, professors, scientists and prominent figures of civil society. In 1971, we lost the best sons of the nation.”
He said, “The people of Bangladesh fought in 1971 to build an independent, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh. This was achieved through the declaration of the War of Liberation by martyred President Ziaur Rahman.”
The BNP Secretary General said, “On behalf of the Nationalist Party, on behalf of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and on behalf of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, we all paid tribute today. We seek forgiveness for the martyred intellectuals.”
Mirza Fakhrul said that an election will be held very soon according to the will of the people, and said, “We are always optimistic. An interim government has already been established, we are cooperating. We hope that an election will be held very soon according to the will of the people. The people will get the opportunity to elect their representatives through a free, fair and impartial election.”
Also present at the time were BNP Standing Committee members Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairperson’s Advisor Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Abdush Salam, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu, Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Riazul Islam Riju, central leaders Habibul Islam Habib, Shamimur Rahman Shamim, Mahbubul Islam Mahbub, Metropolitan North BNP convener Aminul Haque, member secretary Mustafa Zaman, Krishak Dal’s Hasan Jafir Tuhin, Shahidul Islam Babul, Matsyajibi Dal’s Abdur Rahim, Chhatra Dal’s Rakibul Islam, Nasir Uddin Nasir and thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates.