BNP's Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said, "The ruling Awami League is adept at distorting history. They have even distorted the birthdate of their own leader. They also question the birthdate of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia."
He made these remarks at a recent event at the National Press Club.
He added, "Look at the documents of the Liberation War edited by Hasan Hafizur Rahman. They couldn't distort those. They have distorted their own records. At the entrance of the Home Ministry, there's a stone engraving of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s passport from the Pakistan era, mentioning his birthdate as 9th September 1921. Yet, the Awami League celebrates his birthday on 17th March. Why do they do this, and with what intention? Awami League is proficient in distorting history. No one can distort history as beautifully as they can. Now, if we ask what is the real birthday of Sheikh Mujib, 9th September or 17th March, yet they question our party chairperson Khaleda Zia's birthday. Those who distort their own history will naturally distort the history of independence."
The BNP's Joint Secretary General said, "We do not belittle political leadership. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech on 7th March was a fiery one, no doubt about it. But did the speech liberate the country? No, the country was liberated by confontring and fighting the enemy."
Alal commented on the post-independence Awami League government, saying, "There was no democracy. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared a state of emergency in 1974. After thousands of freedom fighters were killed by the Rakkhi Bahini, he was the first to grant indemnity. He pardoned all crimes of the Rakkhi Bahini and restricted newspapers, leaving only four in circulation. These actions were reversed by Ziaur Rahman. The assassination of democracy through the one-party BAKSAL system was protested by Major General M A G Osmani, Barrister Moinul Hosein, Abdullah Sarkar, and others, who resigned from the parliament."
He stated, "Countries including Saudi Arabia and China recognized Bangladesh during Ziaur Rahman's tenure. His personal, state, and family life embraced the spirit of the Liberation War. When the King of Bhutan visited Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, who was in power at the time, went to Bhutan at the king's invitation without his sons. The acting chairman of our party Tarique Rahman said at that time, but the King of Bhutan brought his sons. Ziaur Rahman respondded, 'He is a king, and I am a servant. We cannot be the same.' He did not waste state funds. This is the spirit of the Liberation War."
Alal continued, "Today, those who ceaselessly talk about the spirit of the Liberation War, under their regime, billions are embezzled from the state. No action is taken against the thieves. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir fled while Padma Bank is going bankrupt. Why isn't he caught? Why isn't Abdul Hai Bachchu of BASIC Bank caught today? The big thieves who are hiding under the Prime Minister's shelter are not caught. If they are not brought to justice, the people will judge them one day."