Uninterrupted journey of democracy still hampered: Khaleda Zia

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia said that martyred President Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation stone of democracy, freedom, freedom of the press, self-reliance of the judiciary, development and nationalism of this country. Yet even today, the uninterrupted journey of that democracy is being hampered step by step.

She said these things while joining a discussion meeting organized virtually at the Ramna Engineers Institution Auditorium in the capital on Thursday (May 29).
The meeting was organized at the initiative of BNP on the occasion of the 43rd martyrdom anniversary of martyred President Ziaur Rahman.

Khaleda Zia said, "Every year, this day in May is a painful memory for our family. But this grief is not only for our family, but for the entire nation. Because, on this day, the nation lost a patriotic, honest, brave and far-sighted statesman."

She reminded, "Ziaur Rahman, who inspired the nation to the liberation war by declaring independence from Chittagong, wanted to transform Bangladesh into a self-respecting state through honesty and efficiency in running the state. But that journey of independence and democracy has been repeatedly stopped by conspiracies."

The BNP Chairperson said, "Even today, we see that people's freedom of speech is being taken away in the country, the media is being controlled, and pressure is being created on the judiciary. Democracy cannot move forward like this. If we want to build the Bangladesh of Shaheed Zia's dream, we have to make a concerted effort."

She said, "I urge all levels of BNP leaders and activists and the countrymen to come forward more actively in the struggle to re-establish democracy. Hold the ideological foundation left by Shaheed Zia as strength. Peaceful solutions to all problems are possible through democracy and development. Follow that politics."

Finally, Khaleda Zia said, "This should be our pledge on the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Zia - to re-establish Bangladesh as a democratic, independent and self-respecting state."