Won’t allow insults against Bangabandhu: Government officials pledge

Government officials in a rare instance today held protest rallies across the country, including in the capital, pledging to not allow any insult against Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The protest programmes were held under the banner of "Government Official Forum." Non-cadre officials were also present in those programmes.

Similar rallies were held today in divisional cities, district towns and at upazila levels.

All these were coordinated by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, an organisation of the BCS (Administration) cadre formed in 1981.

Besides in Chattogram, around 100 judges of different courts there formed a human chain in the port city's Dampara area over the same reason.

Today's series of protests were part of ongoing demonstrations across the country following the damaging of an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu in Kushtia on December 5.

In the capital city today, the government officials' programme was held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre under the banner of Government Officials Forum.

Speaking at the rally at BICC, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said, "We will not allow any injustice or disrespect to the Father of the Nation in our lifetime. This is our pledge for today."

Dr Ahmad Kaikaus also said: " We are the servants of the people. The Father of the Nation remains in our Constitution. Our responsibility is to uphold the Constitution. If we exist, there [should be] no change of undermining of the Father of the Nation. We have come to be committed before the whole nation, we will not allow such an incident to happen."

Calling everyone to say the words -- "Joy Bangla" from now on, Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said that the words are derived from the Liberation War.

From now on, permission will be sought from the government if necessary to use the words, he said.

Helal Uddin Ahmed, president, Bangladesh Administration Service Association and Senior Secretary, LGRD ministry gave a welcome speech at the programme.

In his speech, he said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is constitutionally recognised as the Father of the Nation, and Bangabandhu and independence are closely intertwined.

"Any kind of attack and any insult against Bangabandhu will not be tolerated".

Dr Benazir Ahmed, inspector general, Bangladesh Police announced that the attack on the Constitution and the state would be dealt with an iron hand.

Representatives of all cadres, including also spoke in the programme where several thousand government officials were present.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body of the country also formed a human chain at all the metropolitan and district cities, including the capital.