Speaker, deputy speaker pay tribute at National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar
He said he had resigned from his party position to perform his duties in parliament impartially.
Newly appointed speaker of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial.
They laid wreaths at the memorial in Savar today (13 March). The two leaders observed a moment of silence and prayed for the departed souls of the martyrs. Later, both the speaker and the deputy speaker signed the visitors' book.
Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the National Martyrs' Memorial is one of the most sacred places, symbolising Bangladesh's independence.
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"I feel fortunate and inspired to pay tribute here," he said, recalling with deep respect the proclaimer of independence, former President Ziaur Rahman, and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, along with those who were martyred during the 1971 Liberation War.
He also said he had the opportunity to take part in the Liberation War and fought on the battlefield under the command of former President Ziaur Rahman, during which he was injured.
He further paid tribute to those from different political parties, students, guardians and people from various professions who, he said, were martyred over the past 17 years while protesting against what he described as a "mafia government" and taking part in movements to topple an authoritarian regime.
Asked about the nature of the current parliament, the speaker said he believed the government, elected by the people's vote, would work to realise the goals of the Liberation War -- equality, human dignity and social justice -- and fulfil public aspirations to build a happy and prosperous state, with parliament at its centre.
Responding to journalists' questions, he said he had resigned from his party position to perform his duties in parliament impartially. The opposition would have adequate opportunities in parliament, he added.
"We were together in the movement to oust authoritarianism, and we have considerable tolerance towards them," he said, adding that his role in running parliament would be neutral, "like an umpire in a cricket match".
Additional secretaries of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, the sergeant-at-arms, other officials and employees concerned, as well as journalists from different media outlets, were present at the programme.
