Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party- BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday expressed that late President Ziaur Rahman’s legacy is indelible in the hearts and minds of the people.
He controversially labeled the ruling party Awami League as a
significant Indian influence. “We have to boycott Indian products overwhelmingly. In today’s perspectives, the Awami League is a big Indian product.
If we could boycott AL then everything would be done,” Gayeshwar stated during a discussion titled “Ziaur Rahman’s Role in War of Independence and Today’s Bangladesh” at the National Press Club.
Highlighting the reactions to a statement made by AL’s General Secretary, Obaidul Quader, Gayeshwar said, “AL’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader have ignited the matter (boycott Indian product movement) by saying ‘when all the democratic world were against us, if India did not stay with we could not conduct the January 7 election.’ Such comments ignited this issue.”
Gayeshwar emphasized the impossibility of omitting Ziaur Rahman from Bangladesh’s history.
“The history of Bangladesh without Ziaur Rahman will not be complete as he had taken a place in history for his contribution and work for the nation,” he remarked, underscoring the breadth of Zia’s contributions and his unparalleled dedication to the country.
“Everyone in the country knows the name and fame of Ziaur Rahman. He remains permanently in the hearts of the people for his work which will never fade and not possible to be wiped out by anyone,” he added, praising Zia’s bravery and leadership during the liberation war.
“How brave Major Zia was as being a medium range army officer he revolted against a powerful regular Pakistani army. There is not a single person in Awami League to understand Major Zia’s courage,” Gayeshwar highlighted.
Furthermore, he clarified Ziaur Rahman’s role in Bangladesh’s liberation, “Ziaur Rahman was not the reader of the war of Independence script but the announcer and he called upon the mass people to join the liberation war.”
Gayeshwar also touched upon the comparisons made between Ziaur Rahman and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, “Making Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman great is not possible by undermining Ziaur Rahman. No one in the country use unpleasant word about Bangabandhu,” he said, noting the profound impact of Zia’s declaration on the people’s participation in the liberation war.