Unearth reasons behind liberation leaders' killings

Scholars have to look for the reasons behind the assassination of leaders in the sub-continent, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, before and after the liberation of their countries, said former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee yesterday.

“There should be research on recurring assassinations of South Asian leaders such as Bangabandhu and Mahatma Gandhi who led their nations to liberation,” he added.

He said this at a special convocation at Chittagong University, which honoured him with a Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) degree.

Vice Chancellor Prof Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury conferred the degree on Pranab at the university campus, reports our CU correspondent.

The convocation was also attended by Pro-VC Prof Shirin Akhtar. It was conducted by CU acting registrar Prof Dr Kamrul Huda.

“The fathers of the nations of Bangladesh and India had been assassinated soon after the liberation of the countries. Also, the ones who led the country's (Bangladesh) Liberation War were killed inside jail… People need to know the reasons why so many political leaders were killed.”

He called upon teachers, historians and researchers to come forward to conduct research in this regard.

Bangladesh and India have showed the way how a country can move ahead with the help of democracy. The two countries have excelled in economic and social aspects under the form of parliamentary democracy. “Yet, why did the political leaders in these countries suffer the most?” he said.

Expressing gratitude for the honorary degree, the former Indian president said, “I'm grateful and delighted.”

Later, Pranab visited the village home of British era revolutionary Masterda Surya Sen at Raozan upazila in Chittagong. Earlier, he paid floral tributes at the bust of Surya Sen beside the entrance of Raozan University College. He also inaugurated the “Surya Sen Smriti Pathagar” at Raozan town.

The former Indian president arrived at the port city in the morning.

He was received by Iqbal Bahar, superintendent of Chittagong police; Zillur Rahman, deputy commissioner of the district; and other high officials.

Pranab reached Shah Amanat International Airport at 11:00am, said Saleh Mohammad Tanvir, additional commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, reports UNB.

In the evening, the Chittagong City Corporation honoured him with a “key of the city” at a function. Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin handed over the key to Pranab.

Pranab, who served as the 13th president of India, will meet President Abdul Hamid today.

He arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a four-day private visit to Bangladesh. The former Indian president will be flying back to New Delhi tomorrow at 10:20am.