Uninterrupted journey of democracy still being hindered: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said though the party founder late president Ziaur Rahman embraced martyrdom in the fight to establish democracy and safeguard sovereignty, the uninterrupted journey of democracy is still being hindered at every turn.

She hoped that democracy would be restored in the country very soon and urged the party leaders and activists to maintain discipline for the cause.

The BNP chief was addressing a party programme on Thursday held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka, marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers on 30 May 1981 at Chattogram Circuit House.

Khaleda Zia said, “Every year, this day brings sorrowful memories to our family. On this day, not only our family but also the entire nation was plunged into grief and left without a guardian.”

She said, “The name of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is inseparably connected to our beloved motherland, Bangladesh.”

He (Zia) declared the country’s independence from Chattogram, forever linking his name with the nation, she said, adding that it was in the same district, he sacrificed his life as a successful, honest, visionary, and truly patriotic president.

The BNP chairperson said, “Shaheed Zia is the unparalleled architect of democracy, independence, freedom of the press, judicial independence, self-reliance, development, and the creation of distinct nationalism in this country.

“He embraced martyrdom in the fight to establish democracy and safeguard sovereignty, but the uninterrupted journey of that democracy still faces obstacles at every step.”

She added, “Very soon, we will witness the reestablishment of democracy in Bangladesh. Let this be our pledge on Shaheed Zia’s martyrdom anniversary. I urge all BNP leaders and activists as well as the countrymen to move forward in a disciplined manner toward this goal.”