Dhaka Bureau: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has commented that the Awami League government has honored the brave freedom fighters after coming to power. He said this at the opening ceremony of the “Bir Nibas” handover program under the “Construction of housing for poor freedom fighters” project under the initiative of the Ministry of Liberation War on Wednesday (February 15) morning.
The Prime Minister virtually attended the Osmani Memorial Auditorium from Gana Bhavan.
He said, “Here, we have arranged this honor for all the freedom fighters, irrespective of the party.” I think it is our duty to show respect to those who responded to the call of the Father of the Nation in 1971 and brought victory.
The Prime Minister said that we have made arrangements so that freedom fighters get respect when they die. As the father of the nation arranged jobs for their children and a quota system for oppressed mothers and sisters, we have arranged that priority in every case after we came to the government, not only for the freedom fighters but also for their children and those who will come in future generations.I have arranged allowances for freedom fighters. The minimum allowance is now 20 thousand taka. Moreover, many have no house, no home, and are living an inhuman life; it’s a shame for us.
The Chief Minister also said that a freedom fighter will beg or drive a rickshaw; at least, it cannot happen when I am the daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, in power. That is why we have built houses for the freedom fighters and provided them with a livelihood and various allowances, including the Boishakhi allowance.
Five thousand freedom fighters were handed over to Vir Nivas. The Prime Minister also said that 30,000 hero residences will be built this year. He said, “Our war was a people’s war.” Here, apart from the armed forces, Ansar, and police forces, the common people have received liberation war training to face the enemy. The enemy fought with what he had. This kind of civil war is rarely seen. What the people of this country have done under the leadership of the father of the nation
The Prime Minister said that the people had forgotten that we had won the liberation war. The reason for this is that after the killing of the father of the nation in 1975, he issued indemnity and exempted the killers from prosecution, rewarding them with jobs in various embassies and businesses. On the other hand, those who opposed our liberation war, the invaders, installed those who supported Pakistani forces in power.They are prime ministers, ministers, and advisers; they hold power.Naturally, the freedom fighters were cornered. In the case of such jobs, freedom fighters or their families were not given them. Such unfortunate circumstances lasted for 21 years.
He also said that in 1996, Khaleda Zia held a non-voting election on February 15 to come to power. In that election, not even 2 percent of the votes were cast. Deploying the army across the country and stripping the people of their right to vote, Khaleda Zia declared herself prime minister for a second term. The dream of coming to power for the second time was not fulfilled. Because the people of Bangladesh are very aware of their right to vote, There was a movement because their votes were stolen, which forced Khaleda Zia to resign. Khaleda Zia was forced to resign on March 30 after the election on February 15. February 1 is a day to kill democracy for us.
