Govt belittling itself by removing Zia’s Swadhinata Padak: BNP

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the government is rather belittling itself by removing the BNP founder’s Swadhinata Padak from the National Museum and also with its move to relocate Ziaur Rahman’s grave from the Parliament area.

The government has shown its narrowness by doing such heinous activities, Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to journalists after placing wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital marking the 38th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, the women wing of BNP.

On September 7, the government removed Zia’s Swadhinata Padak from the National Museum.

Condemning one ruling party minister’s remark on relocating Zia’s grave from the Parliament premises, Fakhrul said, “These decisions will only isolate them [the government] from people further.”

Fakhrul claimed Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of Bangladesh's independence and said, “It is very much unfortunate that the anti-people government derailed from the ideology of the Liberation War.”

Either by removing the accolade or by relocating Zia’s grave, the government will not be able to efface or belittle his image from the hearts of the people as it is engraved in their minds, Fakhrul claimed.