BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed today (on Sunday) said that the declaration of independence by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had provided direction to a nation in confusion during the Liberation War.

“Independence Day has given us a distinct identity on the world map. Through the declaration of independence, achieved at the cost of immense sacrifice and bloodshed, Major Ziaur Rahman showed a new path to a disoriented nation,” he said.

Rizvi was addressing a press conference at the party’s central office at Nayapaltan in the capital this afternoon, arranged to announce detailed programmes marking Independence Day on March 26.

He said Bangladesh has achieved many milestones through independence, adding that those who once attempted to weaken the spirit of independence have now been defeated.

Referring to the past political situation, he alleged that people’s freedoms were curtailed through enforced disappearances and killings, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety.

Mentioning former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Rizvi said she had sacrificed everything to restore the rights of the people.

“Through her sacrifices, democracy has been restored in the country.

People can now at least speak without fear. There is a sense of assurance that expressing opinions will not lead to enforced disappearance or killing,” he added.

The BNP leader also said that the vision presented by Tarique Rahman is gradually being realized, though it will take some time to fully organize and implement.

He called for unity to strengthen the ongoing democratic process, warning that those spreading propaganda would be marked with the stigma of fascism.

He added that allowing constructive criticism without state repression is a significant achievement of the present time.

Rizvi outlined the detailed programmes for Independence Day. He said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will go to the National Memorial in Savar at 5:00 am on March 26 to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs.

He also said national flags will be hoisted at central and district offices across the country, while senior leaders will address a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on March 25.