Duta condemns Khaleda

Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) yesterday condemned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her party leaders for "stepping onto the main platform" at the Central Shaheed Minar while paying respects to the language martyrs in the early hours of February 21.

“We were astonished and hurt by their activities. This unacceptable incident goes against the spirit of Ekushey and is an insult to the Shaheed Minar and language martyrs. We strongly protest and condemn it,” Duta said in statement signed by its president Prof ASM Maksud Kamal and general secretary Prof Rahmat Ullah. Dhaka University is the main organiser of the Ekushey programme at the Shaheed Minar, and following the customs, all including the president and the prime minister stood barefoot on the second platform while paying their respects, read the statement.

But Khaleda Zia and senior leaders of her party came to the memorial around 1:30am and violating the customs, they stepped onto the main platform despite resistance from BNCC members, it said.