Not chanting 'Joy Bangla' means not believing in independence: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today criticised those who still refuse to chant the national slogan "Joy Bangla", the inspiration of the Liberation War.

"Those who still don't chant the 'Joy Bangla' slogan don't believe in the independence of the country, the spirit of Liberation War and the ideology of independence of Bangladesh," she told at a discussion virtually from her Gono Bhaban residence.

Bangladesh Awami League arranged the discussion at Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex, Tungipara in Gopalganj on the occasion of the 102nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day-2022.

Chairing the discussion, Hasina, also the AL president, said the "Joy Bangla" slogan was once banned in the country and many AL leaders and activists lost lives for chanting this slogan and playing the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu at that time.

She said the freedom fighters had earned independence and embraced martyrdom chanting this slogan. But the clique of anti-liberation elements and killers banned the slogan, she added.