Published on 08:19 PM, September 20, 2017

AL-led 14 party allies reject Suu Kyi’s speech

Propose to observe PM’s birthday as ‘Humanity Day’

Health and Family Welfare Minister and Awami League Presidium Member Mohammed Nasim. Star file photo

The ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance today rejected Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's first address to the nation after military crackdown in Rakhine state since August 25 that forced the thousands of Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh.

"Aung San Suu Kyi had not pronounced a word about Rohingyas in her address. Rather, she termed Rohingyas as Bangalee. It is not acceptable at any cost and, thus we are rejecting her speech," Health minister Mohammed Nasim said.

Nasim, also spokesperson of 14-party alliance, was briefing to reporters after a meeting with Hindu and Buddhist Community members ahead of Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima at AL president's Dhanmondi office in Dhaka.

He urged Myanmar to take back their citizens staying in Bangladesh. "It's must that Myanmar to take back Rohingyas and they will be given the voting right and necessary security after their returning," the AL leader said.

Proposal to observe PM's birthday as 'Humanity Day'

In the meeting, AL Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury proposed that AL President Sheikh Hasina's birthday to be observed as the "Humanity Day".

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set an instance of humanitarian act across the globe over the Rohingya issue… I propose that her birthday be observed as the Humanity Day," Mahmud told the meeting.

On September 28, 1947, Sheikh Hasina was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj district. She is the eldest of the five children of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa.