BNP ready to observe Jan 11 as Black Day
Unb, Dhaka
Opposition BNP will observe January 11 as 'Black Day' as they lamented continuity of the Constitution and democracy were disrupted through the promulgation of the rule of emergency this day in 2007 by the then President being intimidated at gunpoint by some highly ambitious military officials.
The party, which lost its streak in power following the 1/11 changeover, also decided to observe January 25 as 'Democracy Killing Day'.
Under another decision, BNP opposed India's reported proposal for sending a 50-member security-expert team to defend the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh.
The decisions were taken at a joint meeting of BNP and its front and associate organisations chaired by BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain at the party's Naya Paltan central office yesterday afternoon.
It also decided to observe the 31st founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal, the associate student wing of the BNP, on January 1 and the 74th birth anniversary of the late President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP, on January 19.
After chalking out the chain of programs at the meeting, the party at a press briefing informed reporters about the decisions.
Justifying the party's decision to observe 1/11 'black day', Delwar said on January 11, 2007, “some highly ambitious officers of the military stormed into Bangabhaban and made the announcement on promulgation of emergency by the president at gunpoint.”
This act, he said, hampered the continuity of the Constitution and democracy.
Then they first had obstructed the January 22 general election and later finally cancelled the poll schedule and thereby curbed people's voting rights. Thus, he observed, they created a black chapter contrary to the constitution and democracy.
During the observance of black day, they will inform people what had happened this day in 2007 and why.
Asked whether they would take any step for trial of the protagonists of 1/11, the BNP leader said, “Awami League has itself admitted that one/eleven is the outcome of their movement and so it was created due to their acts. So, they (AL) will have to take initiative regarding trial otherwise, someday, they will have to account for their action to the people.”
On Indian security team, Delwar said BNP does not support on principle India's proposal for sending 50-member security-expert team for the security of the Indian High Commission here.
“At a time when people are concerned about the country's independence and sovereignty, accepting such a proposal of a foreign country for sending in security-expert team is tantamount to threat to the independence and sovereignty,” said the BNP leader about his party position.
He said the Indian High Commission should be given security the way security has been given as per the existing law to the other High Commissions and Embassies in Bangladesh.
He urged the Awami League government to take the decision “judiciously” about the matter.
About democracy killing day, he said the then Awami League government had established one-party rule by annihilating democracy through bringing the fourth amendment to the Constitution within a few minutes in the parliament session on January 25, 1975.
Leaders of BNP and its front and associate organisations present at the joint-meeting include Amanullah Aman, Mizanur Rahman Minu, M Shajahan, Fazlur Rahman Patal, Mir Nasiruddin, NI Khan, Adv Mojibur Rahman, Fazlul Huq Milon, Jafrul Hasan, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Badruzzaman Khashru, Ahmed Nazir, Rezabuddowla Chowdhury and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.
:The Daily Star: Internet Edition
BNP ready to observe Jan 11 as Black Day
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