Freedom came thru’ sacrifices of AL: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the country's independence is an achievement that came through the sacrifices and endurance of Awami League.
"Today we have got an independent country. We have earned dignity as an independent nation. This is our biggest achievement," she told Jatiya Sangsad during an unscheduled discussion on the 71st founding anniversary of Awami League.
She said the country's first independent government had spearheaded the Liberation War of 1971 and finally brought the victory.
The PM, however, regretted that when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was taking the war-torn country forward, he was brutally assassinated due to the conspiracy of the "Mir Jafar" (betrayer) group of Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed and Ziaur Rahman.
Subsequently, the country's progress was disrupted, Hasina added.
"There was a time when attempts were made to erase the his [Bangabandhu] name. But it has not been possible. It will never be possible to erase the truth," she said.
In an emotion choked voice, the premier said Bangabandhu had never shared his immense pains and agonies that he had endured in jail in the then Pakistan.
Hasina, also the AL president, said her party gives something to the people whenever it takes office.
"The Awami League government has stood beside the people during the time of their hardship due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic."
She said the AL was committed to the Father of the Nation that the party would always work for the welfare of the people.
"On this day, we are pledging that we will materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation by making the country Sonar Bangla free from poverty and hunger."
Recalling the contributions and sacrifices of the AL and its leaders for the nation, she said the party has been working and struggling for people's welfare since its formation.
The premier said the party's founding day was very important for them as the sun of independence, which had set through the defeat of the Siraj-ud-Daulah at Palashi Mango Orchard, had risen once again by the formation of the Awami League (on June 23, 1949 at Rose Garden on KM Das Lane in Dhaka) as the country's independence was achieved under its leadership.
In this context, Hasina said the country's first independent government was formed on April 10, 1971, with making the Father of the Nation its president, Syed Nazrul Islam vice-president and Tajuddin Ahmad prime minister. That government had taken oath on April 17 that year in Meherpur's Mujibnagar.
Earlier yesterday, the sitting of the eighth session of the 11th parliament resumed at 11:00am, with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.