DHAKA, March 7, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina has called upon the countrymen to remain alert as the BNP-Jamaat clique is out to destroy the country by creating an anarchic situation through arson violence and militancy.

"They (BNP-Jamaat) are out to destroy the country and heighten sufferings of the people through arson terrorism and militancy after boycotting the election," she said.

She made the remarks while presiding over a discussion marking the historic March 7 organised by the AL at Dhaka district AL office at Tejgaon office in the capital city this afternoon.

The Prime Minister reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh by 2041.

"InshaAllah, we will build Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and smart ‘Sonar Bangladesh’ by 2041. This is our commitment of this day," she said.

She added that all have to take preparation so that they can build that Bangladesh.

The premier said Bangabandhu wanted to change the fate of the people by giving them developed and improved life.

"Bangabandhu wanted to bring smile on the faces of the people. We have to do that," she said.

Sheikh Hasina reminded all that Awami League is the only party which brought the country's independence through long struggle and the glory of getting the status of a developing nation.

"Whenever Awami League comes to power, the fortune of the people is changed. All have to accept the reality whatever they said," she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh could not be able to march a single inch towards prosperity in 21 years without Awami League in power despite the fact that Bangabandhu left Bangladesh as a least developed country before his assassination.

The country has been advancing ahead towards prosperity since Awami League assumed office, she said.
 
The Premier once again alerted the countrymen to make sure that none can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.

Sheikh Hasina called upon all not to forget the history as it teaches how to move on the path of success mentioning that all the movements waged by the Father of the Nation were successful.

She made an appeal to all particularly to her party men to teach and inform the the young generation about the history of Bangladesh's independence particularly February 21, of 1952 March 17 of 1920, March 7, March 26 and December 16 of 1971. 

She continued that February 21 is the country's Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day while Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on March 17.

The Premier went on saying: “Our youth folks must know about these dates and they have to know about these dates.”

Awami League organised the programme at its Dhaka District unit office in Tejgaon.

About the 7th March in 1971, Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation gave the historic speech at Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardhy Udyan) while Bangladesh was liberated on March 26 and finally got victory over the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 of 1971.

“All, particularly the youth, have to know the history of the struggle and sacrifice to know how Bangladesh reached today's position," she said.
 
She continued: “We have to take lessons from the history, otherwise it would not be possible to march ahead."

Attempts have been made time and again to erase the true history of Bangladesh's independence in 29 years, she said.

"But they failed to erase the real history," she said.

The Prime Minister said the historic 7th March speech by Bangabandhu had encouraged the freedom fighters and the people of the country to fight for the country's independence during the nine-month long Liberation War in 1971.

“The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a complete outline of the Liberation War through his 7th March speech. Through that speech, we have attained our independence,” she said.

The Prime Minister said the 7th March speech of Bangabandhu is the best among the speeches of the military and non-military personalities which inspired the people to struggle for independence.

She said none can said how many hours the 7th March speech have been played and how much people have heard the speech across the globe.

"Its appeal is still persisting," she said. 

The Prime Minister briefly describing the history of 7th March speech, saying that her father Bangabandhu had delivered the historic speech extempore following the advice of her mother despite the Awami League leaders suggested to give written speech. 

Sheikh Hasina quoted her mother saying," You (Bangabandhu) have struggled throughout your live for the people. You don't have to hear anyone. You will say whatever your mind wants." 

The Prime Minister said those who do not believe in Joy Bangla, do not accept March 7 speech, did not want the independent Bangladesh. 

They even do not want the socio-economic development of the country and welfare of its people, she continued. 

She questioned, "Why the people will cast votes for them?” 

So, the BNP-led alliance got only 30 seats in 2008 election and later they got only seven seats, she said. 

She said they later started to play games through attempts to foil the election and finally boycotted the election. 

The Prime Minister earlier unwrapped a book titled "Bangabandhu Theke Deshrotna: Onupreronar Mohakabyo" written by AL Office Secretary and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Barrister Biplab Barua.  

AL presidium members, Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Bir Bikram and Textiles and Jute Minister Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Liberation War Affairs Secretary Advocate Mrinal Kanti Das, and executive committee member, Gloria Jharna Sarkar, also addressed the discussion. 

Dhaka district AL President Benzir Ahmed and General Secretary Paniruzzaman Tarun, Dhaka South and North City AL General Secretaries Humayun Kabir and SM Mannan Kochi respectively also spoke, among others. 

Ekhushey Padak Winning Poet Shimul Mustofa recited a poem "Swadhinota Shabdoti Kibhabe Amader Holo" written by Poet Nirmalendu Goon. 

AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and his deputy Syed Abdul Awal Shamim moderated the discussion.