PM Hasina talks tough against maligning Mujib

By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka

Issuing a stern warning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said those who are making disparaging remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will not be spared.“People know the country’s history very well … ‘kulangars’ (black sheep) are uttering derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu. They won’t be spared. People will certainly bring them to justice,” she said.The premier said this while holding separate meetings with leaders of Gopalganj district, and Tungipara and Kotalipara upazila units of Awami League.Hasina held the meetings with the AL leaders at Bangabandhu’s house after placing a wreath at the Bangabandhu memorial.PM’s press secretary Shameem Chowdhury briefed reporters after the meetings.Chowdhury said the prime minister enquired about the development works of her constituency and talked to local public representatives apart from the AL leaders of different levels.Hasina, also the Awami League president, directed the grassroots leaders to hold the council of the party and its associate bodies as soon as possible.She said organisational capacity of Awami League will have to be strengthened further for maintaining the trend of democracy, constitution and development.“Those who want to foil democracy, constitution and development will have to be resisted,” she said.The prime minister requested all, including Awami League leaders and activists, to remain vigilant so that the country’s ongoing development trend is not hindered.“You’ll have to remain alert so that the anti-democratic elements who want to grab power in an unconstitutional way can’t create any unstable situation in the country,” she said.Hasina also urged the grassroots leaders to maintain unity among them for strengthening the party.The ruling party’s student and youth fronts - Bangladesh Chattra League and Jubo League - foiled the planned rally by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia at Gazipur, north of Dhaka, as her son Tarique Rahman, living in London, had called Mujib a Razakar (a collaborator of occupation Pakistani army in 1971). They demanded an apology from Tarique.