Bangabandhu was one of few outstanding statesmen

Lawmakers yesterday told parliament that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was one of the few statesmen in the world who made the supreme sacrifice for the people of his country.

Highlighting various initiatives taken by Bangabandhu before and after the country's independence, the MPs said he couldn't turn Bangladesh into "Golden Bengal" as per his dream, but he built the structure to make it "Sonar Bangla".

The lawmakers were addressing the House on a resolution tabled by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.

The PM placed the resolution before the Jatiya Sangsad under section-147 of the Rules of Procedure to pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through holding a special discussion on his colourful political life, activities, and philosophy.

Participating in the discussion, senior Awami League lawmaker Amir Hossain Amu yesterday said although Bangabandhu couldn't turn the country into "Golden Bengal" as he was assassinated on August 15, 1975, his dream is being fulfilled now as his daughter is alive.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Hasanul Haq Inu said Bangabandhu is a flag, a country, a movement, a revolution, a history, a poet of politics, and a great hero of history.

"Bangabandhu is the world's sharpest politician and a strategist. He turned every Bangalee into a Mujib," added Inu, also the president of JSD.

Harunur Rashid of BNP from Chapainawabganj-3 said Bangabandhu did not disrespect and ridicule any opposition leader.

"I have no hesitation in saying that we must show respect and dignity for our national leaders. It is quite natural that there will be many errors in one's life. It is also natural that there will be mistakes in running the country."

The legislator said no one denies the long 20-year struggle of Bangabandhu. "There is no way to deny it."

Harun said Bangabandhu did the right thing on March 25, 1971. "If Bangabandhu had fled and taken refuge in India, the international community would have called him a separatist leader. Bangabandhu understood it."

He also said, "We should have taken an initiative to repair the state in Mujib Borsho. Today, corruption has become institutionalised across the country and rape has taken a terrible turn. There is a great lack of good governance."

Opposition Chief Whip Moshiur Rahman Ranga said the then chiefs of the Rokkhi Bahini, army, and law enforcement agencies should be held accountable for the killing of Bangabandhu.

"The killing of Bangabandhu was a terrible incident in history. The whole nation was orphaned through this killing. Although the killers were tried, the conspirators behind the killing were not brought to justice."

Ranga said there would be no space for Razakars, members of the anti-Bangladesh paramilitary force organised by the Pakistan occupation army in East Pakistan in 1971, in parliament and elsewhere in the country.

AL lawmakers Zahid Maleque, Nasrul Hamid, Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, AFM Ruhal Haque, AKM Bahauddin, Iqbalur Rahim and Suborna Mustafa and Jatiya Party's Shamim Haider Patwari and Pir Fazlur Rahman, among others, also took part in the discussion.