AL means independence, developed Bangladesh: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday said Awami League (AL) means independence, developed Bangladesh and the right to speak in mother tongue, as the name of the party is involved with all achievements of the country.   

“AL means Bangladesh’s independence, AL means attainment of the right to speak in mother tongue, AL means developed Bangladesh and AL means developed ‘Golden Bangladesh,” she said. 

Sheikh Hasina also said the birth of Awami League was for special reasons. 

The premier made this remarks while speaking in the Jatiya Sangsad during an unscheduled discussion marking the founding anniversary of ruling Awami League.    

Sheikh Hasina said if the country runs as per the plans formulated by the ruling Awami League, no one will be able to restrict the forward march of nation country and “this is my firm belief”. 

She said the AL government has formulated the plans to make the country an advanced one in the future. 

The Leader of the House said the Awami League has formulated Delta Plan-2100 and formulated plans to make the country prosperous and developed by 2041.  

“If AL gets the chance to serve the people surely Bangladesh will be a developed and prosperous country in future,” she added.  

Sheikh Hasina said after just seven months of independence of the then Pakistan, the Pakistani rulers showed their hostile attitude towards East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and its people. 

Then the Pakistani rulers put restrictions on language, oppressed the Bangladeshi people socioeconomically and tortured them. 

“To protest that, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman forged the Language Movement, established Chhatra League and from the very beginning of AL, he was with it,” she added.  

The Awami League president also mentioned that since its inception, the AL was engaged in establishing the rights of the people of this country. 

“AL is the organisation of the people of Bangladesh. AL always struggled for the oppressed and neglected people of the country. For this, many AL leaders and activists laid their lives,” she added.  

The Prime Minister said that the leaders and activists of AL are always beside the people of the country in any calamity.  

“To serve is the duty and responsibility of ours. This is our ideology,” she said. 

Sheikh Hasina said that AL restored democracy in the country as it was snatched by the military rulers after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975. 

As democracy is continuing in the country, Bangladesh is developing, she mentioned. 

The Prime Minister said that Padma Bridge has been built with the country’s own resources. 

“Like this, Bangladesh will be advancing and it will never be dependent on others and never beg to anyone. With its own dignity, Bangladesh will raise its head in the world arena,” she added.