Shawdesh Desk:

Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance at a commemoration meeting at the National Press Club on Monday called to continue mass movement against Awami League government until its removal before next general elections.

Bhashani Onusari Parishad orgainsed the meeting to remember Zafrullah Chowdhury, veteran freedom fighter and founder of Gonoshasthya Kendra, who died on April 11.

At the programme, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Zafrullah Chowdhury wanted to establish a democratic society free from oppression and repression.

But his dream has not yet been fulfilled and the people of the country have lost their voting rights as fascist Awami League government is ruling the country, Mirza Fakhrul said.

Mirza Fakhrul called on the youths to come forward for fulfilling the ideals of Zafrullah Chowdhury.

He called upon all the opposition political parties to unite and wage mass movements against the Awami League government to compel it to resign before next general elections.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD president ASM Abdur Rob said that Awami League government was trying to cling to power submitting sovereignty of Bangladesh to foreign countries.

But they would not be able to remain in power further, Rob said.

Jatiya Party faction chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider said though Zafrullah was never involved in politics directly but he always stood beside the oppressed people.

Nagarik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that Zafrullah wanted to restore the voting rights of the people, adding, ‘we could materialise his ideals for establishing a democratic country where the people would enjoy their democratic rights.’

Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Huq said Awami League government did not show due respect to Zafrullah after his death.

Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki said that Zafullah sacrificed his life for the welfare of the people and worked for establishing rights of the women in the society.

Rastra Sankar Andolan chief coordinator Hasnat Quayium said that establishing a democratic Bangladesh would be the best way to show respect to Zafrullah.

Gono Forum faction general secretary Subrata Chowdhury said they would continue movement against the government following ideals of Zafrullah Chowdhury.

BNP central leader Zahir Uddin Shapon said Zafrullah was a rare personality who sacrificed his life for the welfare of the people.

Chaired by Bhashani Onusari Parishad convener Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, the programme was also addressed by its joint convener Abu Yousuf Selim, member secretary Habibur Rahman Reezu, and central leader Babul Biswas.

Zafrullah’s wife women leader Shireen Huq and his son and officials of Gonoshasthaya Kendra attended the programme.