BNP downplaying their roles

Family members of several martyred intellectuals yesterday criticised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and a section of her party leaders, who questioned the actual number of freedom fighters and downplayed the role of intellectuals.

Speaking at a discussion organised by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) in its auditorium, they demanded that the government enact a law to punish those who distort the history of the country's Liberation War and use abusive words against Bangabandhu and the freedom fighters.

Khaleda Zia on December 21, 2015 said, “There is still a controversy about the exact number of people martyred in the Liberation War.”

Shaheed Jaya Shyamali Nasreen Chaudhury, wife of martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chaudhury, in her speech said, “Three million people sacrificed their lives only to eliminate disparity among people and to ensure justice in the society. But even after 46 years, we are yet to fulfill their dreams." 

Dr Nuzhat Choudhury, eldest daughter of the martyred intellectual, lambasted BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy for raising question on why the martyred intellectuals stayed in their respective houses during the war despite life threat.

Quoting her mother, Nuzhat said, “My mother had repeatedly requested my father [Alim Chowdhury] to go into hiding during the war. But my father always argued if he went into hiding, who would treat the injured freedom fighters and who would perform activities from inside the country.”

Nuzhat, also an associate professor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said downplaying the role of martyred intellectuals is the continuing process of distorting the history of Liberation War. 

Martyred intellectual Dr Fazle Rabbi's daughter Nasrin Sultana and BMA leaders also spoke in the programme presided over by Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin.