Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will stage demonstrations across the country protesting the removal of the party founder Ziaur Rahman’s Swadhinata Padak (independence award) from the National Museum. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of BNP, announced the protest programmes on Thursday condemning the government’s heinous decision taken from political vengeance. The party will stage demonstration in Dhaka on Friday and in the district headquarters and divisional cities on Saturday, said the BNP leader. “By removing Zia’s award from the museum, the government is not only undermining Ziaur Rahman but also defaming the freedom fighters,” Fakhrul claimed. Swadhinata Padak, the highest state award of Bangladesh, is given in recognition of any citizen’s outstanding contributions to any field.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 08, 2016 12:56 UTC