DHAKA, Feb 22, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the 
people of Bangladesh should decide what they would do with the tares, who do 
not like Bangladesh's progress as well as hatch conspiracy whenever the 
country marches towards prosperity. 

  "Father of the Nation used to say one thing that the land of the country is 
so fertile where plenty of crops grow along with weeds. This is the reality 
that these tares will exist, but the Bengalis have to think about what they 
will do with them," she said.

  The Prime Minister said this while presiding over a discussion, marking the 
Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day from her official 
Ganabhaban residence here through a video conference.

  The Awami League (AL) organised the discussion at the party's central 
office here. 

  Sheikh Hasina, also President of the AL, said all have to remain alert 
regarding one issue that many conspiracies are brewed whenever Bengalis 
achieve something good or attain dignity or advance towards prosperity.

  "Some vested quarters are always there among the Bengalis, who do not feel 
proud whenever any anything is achieved as they prefer to remain fastened 
with shackle," she said.

  AL Presidium Members, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Abdur Rahman, and Khairuzzaman 
Liton, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, International Affairs 
Secretary Dr Shammi Ahmed, Office Secretary Biplab Barua and Education and 
Human Resources Secretary Samsun Nahar Chapa spoke on the occasion.

  Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap moderated the 
function.

  Dhaka South and North City AL president Abu Ahmed Monnafi and Sheikh Bazlur 
Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

  Coming down heavily on a section of people, Sheikh Hasina said that there 
are some people who never know how to live with self-dignity, as they are out 
to sell their self-dignity.

  She continued that the section still exists in the society; consequently, 
these people keep their eyes closed no matter how much the country has 
developed as well as how the world appreciated the nation.

   The Prime Minister said that this section of people feel embarrassed when 
discussion is going over the achievements, including Bangladesh's graduation 
as a developing nation.

   "Why they have such kind of mentality, and this is my questions," she 
said. 

   The Prime Minister briefly described the role and contribution of Father 
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Language Movement and 
Liberation War.

   She added that a section of intellectuals had earlier tried to erase 
Bangabandhu's name from the history of the Language Movement as well as the 
Liberation War.

   The Premier said "It is a matter of regret that some intellectuals never 
gave proper credit to Bangabandhu for these contributions."

  But, the report of the Pakistani intelligence branch only mentioned 
Bangabandhu behind the Language Movement, she said, adding that the role of 
Bangabandhu was come to the light due to the intelligence reports.

  She continued: "There were attempts to erase the truth, which is 
unfortunate, but I always believe that truth cannot be suppressed. One day, 
the truth will come to the light with its own glory and that becomes today's 
reality."

  Referring to her remarks about Bangabandhu's contribution in a function 
held in Bangla Academy, she said, Badruddin Umar wrote a huge article in the 
newspaper denying the truth.

  Later, MR Akhtar Mukul wrote an article on the basis of information 
provided by her (Sheikh Hasina) denouncing the article of Badruddin Omar, she 
said. 

  Sheikh Hasina said that the country had achieved its independence through 
the path of the Language Movement and the Father of the Nation led that 
journey.

   

  The Prime Minister said that Bangabandhu started the language movement in 
1948 to establish Bangladesh as an independent country.

  She said Bangabandhu was sent to jail repeatedly for his contribution to 
the Language Movement, adding, "Bangabandhu had been kept behind the bars at 
a stretch from 1949 to 1952." 

  The Prime Minister said following Bangabandhu's proposal, the State 
Language Action Council was formed comprising Chhatra League, Tamaddun 
Majlish and other student organisations in 1948.

  This council called a general strike on March 11, 1948 across the country, 
she said, adding that the strike was the brainchild of Bangabandhu, who was 
arrested while picketing to enforce the strike.

 In the subsequent days, she said that Bangabandhu was at the centre of all 
movements and struggles, for which he had to endure inhuman torture and 
persecution.