Tarique urges nationalist forces to unite in 7 November spirit

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman today (6 November) called upon all nationalist forces to unite in the spirit of 7 November to build a strong democracy in the country.

"Protecting national independence and sovereignty is extremely urgent at this moment," he said in a message issued on the eve of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, which the BNP will observe today, marking the "soldier-people's revolution" of 7 November 1975.

On this day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power and eventually found the BNP.

The BNP acting chairman said that the rise of anti-hegemonic nationalist politics in the country was ushered in by the soldier-people's revolution, reports BSS.

"The soldier-people's revolution on 7 November 1975 in the history of Bangladesh is not merely a turning point but the genesis of anti-hegemonic nationalist politics in this land," added Tarique, the eldest son of Ziaur Rahman.

Extending greetings and congratulations to the countrymen on the occasion, the BNP leader said, "The nation's sovereignty was protected through the soldier-people's revolution. On this day in 1975, the soldiers and the populace, fuelled by patriotism, took to the streets with the pledge of safeguarding national independence and reviving democracy. Thus, the historic revolution of 7 November is immensely significant."

Tarique further said that the ruling group, after the independence, for its own self-interest, pushed the country into the grip of hegemony. The objective was to cling to power indefinitely, which led to the killing of democracy through the formation of the one-party BAKSAL rule

He continued, "During this dire national crisis, on 3 November 1975, conspirators imprisoned the Proclaimer of Independence Ziaur Rahman and his family in the cantonment. 

"In this profound national crisis, the fearless soldiers and the surging crowds came together on the streets on 7 November, resulting in a unique expression of solidarity to protect national independence, and the Proclaimer of Independence Ziaur Rahman was freed."

The BNP acting chairman also lamented that his mother, the "Symbol of Democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia, was imprisoned for many years without a valid reason."

Tarique said that to establish the ultimate practice of democracy, it is imperative to ensure people's fundamental human rights.
He also called for the establishment of justice and good governance in society.