DHAKA, Dec 16, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas today said the anti-liberation forces of 1971 want the country to fall into crisis. “They have never wished for peace in this country since 1947. They did not want independence then, and they do not want it even now,” he said after paying tributes to the nation’s valiant martyrs at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar. Abbas said, “At present, they (anti-liberation forces) are making attempts to create disorder in the country through various tactics. They want to create an atmosphere of unrest and push the country into crisis”. BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, among other party leaders and activists, were present on the occasion. Extending greetings on the occasion of Victory Day, he said, “An election is ahead. Never before has Victory Day arrived at such a crucial moment ahead of an election. Still, on this Victory Day, BNP, party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman have extended their heartfelt greetings to the people.” He said the hopes and aspirations with which the nation dreamt of building the country after independence were shattered after the Awami League came to power.  “Ahead of the upcoming election, we hope the people will elect a party capable of fulfilling their expectations,” he added. Referring to attempts to place the Liberation War of 1971 and the mass uprising of 2024 on the same footing, Abbas said both 1971 and 2024 stand gloriously in their respective positions, but there can be no comparison between the two. Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan expressed hope that democracy would be restored in the country through a free and fair election.  

RAJSHAHI, Dec 16, 2025 (BSS) - The great Victory Day-2025 was celebrated in the divisional city and the district today with a renewed pledge for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal new Bangladesh with the spirit of the Great War of Liberation.   In the morning, Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Dr. ANM Bazlur Rashid, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police of Rajshahi Range Dr Muhammad Shahjahan, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Dr. Zillur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Afia Akhter and Superintendent of Police Muhammad Naymul Hassan placed floral wreaths at the martyred memorial plaque at the collectorate building premises.   Subsequently, they hoisted national flags at the circuit house premises.   Rajshahi City Corporation, Divisional and district administrations, police administration, scores of political, socio-cultural, voluntary, professional bodies and trade organisations placed wreaths at different Shaheed Minars marking the day.   Different political parties including Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP), celebrated the day through various programmes like bringing out victory rallies, placing of wreaths, holding discussion meetings and organizing cultural functions.   The programmes of the day heralded with 31-gun salute at dawn on the local Police Line Parade Ground. At 9am, the national flag was hoisted formally with recitation of the national anthem, students' gathering, march-past, and display at the Liberation War Memorial Stadium.   In the early morning, streams of people irrespective of male and female thronged the city streets leading to the Shaheed Minars to pay homage to the valiant sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives in 1971 for the cause of liberating the country from the Pakistani occupation forces.   Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) led by its Commissioner Dr Zillur Rahman placed wreaths at the Police Lines Memorial Plaque and Mass-grave paying rich tribute to Liberation War martyrs.   After placing the wreaths, the RMP officials stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971.   The programmes also included hoisting of the national flag atop all public and private buildings, illumination and decoration of road islands, roadsides, educational institutions and buildings with national flags and coloured miniature posters and banners.   On behalf of the district administration, the gallantry award winning and all other valiant freedom fighters were accorded reception at Shilpakala Academy followed by a cultural function performed by local artists, including the ethnic minorities.   Prior to this, Divisional Commissioner Dr Bazlur Rashid opened a day-long victory fair at the academy premises.   Improved diets were served to inmates of hospitals, jails, shishu paribars, vagabond centers, orphanages and shelter homes.   Various educational institutions including Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Rajshahi Medical University, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, Bangladesh Silk Development Board and Rajshahi Education Board celebrated the Victory Day through separate programmes.   Marking the celebration, recreational and amusement parks and other visiting places remained open for the visitors throughout the day.