‘Continue your sacrifice for democracy’

BNP yesterday urged its leaders and activists to get ready to sacrifice more to restore democracy in the country.

"Already we have sacrificed a lot, as many have been arrested, many killed and many sent to jail. We have to sacrifice more," said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the party, at an open discussion in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters.

He said through its movement, the party wants the government to resign and hand over power to a neutral caretaker government, to hold a free and fair election through which peoples' government will be established.

"Let's vow today that we will not rest until our goal is achieved and the government resigns from the office."

He then asked the audience whether they agreed with him. The audience replied, "Yes."

Fakhrul then said, "Lets move forward with this vow."

Explaining the importance of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the BNP leader said, "Our leader Ziaur Rahman within just four years united the entire nation and restored democracy, cancelling the one party system."

BNP standing committee member Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain said, "Let's unite to oust the government and restore democracy in the country with the spirit of November 7."

BNP leaders and activists paid homage to their party founder and late president Ziaur Rahman yesterday, marking what they term "National Revolution and Solidarity Day".

Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment on November 7, 1975, paving the way for him to come to power.

While BNP and its alliance partners celebrate November 7 as National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of "killing of freedom fighters".