PM vows to continue "zero tolerance" against militancy, terrorism

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday reiterated her government's stance to pursue "zero tolerance" policy against militancy, terrorism and drugs, saying that they want to build a developed and prosperous country envisioned by the Father of the Nation by ensuring peace and security of the countrymen. "We have declared "zero tolerance" policy against militancy, terrorism, repression on women and drugs as we want to ensure peace and security of the people of the country aimed at building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh," she said.

The premier was presiding over a two-day programme titled "The Greatest Hero of the Glorious Victory" marking celebration of the Mujib Borsho coinciding with the 50 years of victory of the Liberation War. The National Implementation Committee for celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat organized the programme with the theme "Great Hero of the Great Victory" at the South Plaza of the parliament here this afternoon.

President M Abdul Hamid and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind also spoke on the occasion as the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively. Sheikh Hasina extended her gratitude to the visiting Indian President as he attended the celebration of 50 years of victory of Liberation War, saying, "Honorable Indian President Ram Nath Kovind joined us at the day of glory as the guest of honour. I convey my gratitude to him."

On his arrival at the venue, the Indian President was received by President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Younger daughter of Bangabandhu and PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on the dais, while Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozzammel Haque and Chief Coordinator of the National Implementation Committee for Celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.

The premier described the 50 years celebration of the victory and birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as not only a mere festival but also a way to materialize the dream of Bangabandhu to build a prosperous and developed Bangladesh to be freed from hunger and poverty. Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh is a secular state and the people of all faiths in the country can perform their religious rituals with equal rights. "We have already ensured performing of religious rituals by the people of all faiths with equal rights," she added. The prime minister said that her government has been continuing the wheels of the country's economy following the foreign policy adopted by Bangabandhu, "Friendship to all, malice to none."

In the function, Sheikh Rehana handed over 'Eternal Mujib Memorabilia' to the Indian President. The cover of a memorial book titled 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Volume' was also unveiled. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina edited the book published both in Bengali and English marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation. Sheikh Hasina, the elder daughter of Bangabandhu, said her government has been working relentlessly to change the fate of the countrymen and bring smile on the faces of distressed people by providing them a improved and better life for which the Father the Nation put his life in risk and was detained time and again. Bangabandhu had struggled throughout his life to establish democratic, political and social rights of the people, she said, adding that the Father of the Nation was brutally assassinated on August 15 in 1975 when he took measures to decentralize power for empowerment of the rural people.

The premier said that assuming power after 21 years, her government has been pursuing the dream of Bangabandhu and now turned Bangladesh into a developing nation following the footprints of the Father of the Nation who made a war-ravaged country as a least developed one by only three and a half years. She said that they have increased the per capita income to US$2554 and reduced the poverty rate to 20 percent from 48 percent through their various development efforts. The premier said that they are successfully running the country towards prosperity though the Covid-19 has wrecked havoc on economy.

"Now, Bangladesh has been honoured in the world as a developing nation. Now, we want to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation by 2041 and we are working to achieve the target," she added. At the outset of her speech, Sheikh Hasina paid due respect to the Father of the Nation, four national leaders, three million martyrs and two lakh oppressed mothers-daughters of the Liberation War.She also expressed her gratitude to those friendly countries, organisations and persons who extended their help by providing food, money, arms, humanitarian assistance and support in principle during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971. The prime minister specially recalled the contribution of neighbouring India as it had set an example before the world by giving shelter to one crore Bangladeshi refugees alongside giving training to freedom fighters and fought for Bangladesh's liberation against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971.

"I recall with due respect the members of Indian armed forces who sacrificed their lives in Bangladesh's Liberation War against Pakistan as the members of allied forces," she said. The premier expressed gratitude to five heads of government and state of SAARC member countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for joining 10-day mega celebrations of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's independence in March last amid the Covid-19 onslaught. She also expressed gratitude to all concerned for establishing memorial sculpture, roads and parks in the capital cities and main cities of various countries after the name of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while UNESCO has introduced an international award on 'Creative Economy' after Bangabandhu's name marking his birth centenary.