Attempt to distort history of 1971 going on: Mirza Fakhrul

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that there is a covert attempt to distort the history of 1971 in Bangladesh. He urged citizens to stay united.

He made the remarks on Thursday (August 21) afternoon during a Janmashtami greeting event. The meeting, organized by the BNP at the Engineers’ Institution Auditorium in Ramna, was held to honor members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined the event virtually from London. Members of the Hindu community greeted him with cheers and traditional drums, and Tarique Rahman responded by waving.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We want to repeatedly remember the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. The year 1971 gave us an independent country, independent land, and independent identity. That is why I am standing here today. I also want to remember the martyrs of the July-August 2024 events, who have given us the opportunity to dream of democracy. We must remember both. Citizens must unite against attempts to distort the history of 1971.”

He said, “The July-August 2024 events are real, just as the nine-month Liberation War of 1971 was. Our party’s founder, the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, declared that liberation war.”

Mirza Fakhrul further said, “A new issue is emerging, a conspiracy that a type of extremism is rising in Bangladesh. This extremism must not be allowed to grow; otherwise, the soul and existence of Bangladesh will be at risk. We must all remember this. I emphasise again today that no one should engage in divisive politics. What has happened in the past has happened. Now, to protect the existence of Bangladesh, to strengthen and advance the country, we all must work together in unity.”

“Those who misled us and ruled the country using our votes over the past 15 years did not consider us as friends. They treated us as subjects. They oppressed and persecuted us, looted all the country’s resources, and sent them abroad,” he added.