BNP renews vow to protect democracy

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their party leaders and activists have taken a vow to resist the hegemonic forces in a bid to protect democracy, the country’s independence and sovereignty.

He made the remarks after thousands of BNP leaders and activists paid their respect at the grave of Ziaur Rahman, marking ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Thursday.  The day commemorates the ‘civil-military uprising’ of November 7, 1975.

Talking to reporters, the BNP leader also expressed the hope that the interim government would be able to arrange the national election within a proper and reasonable timeframe.

“We made a vow on November 7, after paying homage to Ziaur Rahman, that we will resist fascism together with people. We will launch a strong movement, if necessary, to protect democracy and preserve the country's independence and sovereignty," Fakhrul said.

He also expressed the confidence that the people of Bangladesh would unite to reinforce the spirit of the student-led revolution.

On this day in 1975, during a period of political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then-Chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment, clearing the way for him to assume power.