PM slams BNP's call for movement in Ramadan

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today denounced the BNP's call for movement in the month of Ramadan disregarding its sanctity and peace in public life.

"They (BNP) have announced movement even in the month of Ramadan. Give people a sigh of relief from the movement during Ramadan," she said while presiding over a discussion organised by the AL marking the 53rd Independence and National Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.

The prime minister also urged countrymen to remain alert about any move against the country's development.

She said Khaleda Zia had killed 17 labourers with bullets in the month of Ramadan as they waged a movement for raising their salaries.

"Those who shot dead people in the month of Ramadan, how will they show respect to the month of Ramadan? So, they have called for a movement. They have no feeling for Ramadan and over the sufferings of the people," she said.

The PM and also president of Awami League said that on the contrary, the ruling party has decided not to hold any iftar party but to distribute money and food among common people aimed at easing their sufferings.

The PM came down heavily on the BNP leaders and some so-called intellectuals for not seeing democracy and development in Bangladesh "despite the fact that the world community has been bound to show respect to Bangladesh after seeing its massive development".

"The world community has been compelled to describe Bangladesh as a role model for development," she said.

The premier said Bangladesh has secured huge development in the last 14 years since AL government assumed power in 2009 due to her government's tireless efforts and continued democratic process.