Law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said that there was no alternative to following the path shown by former president Ziaur Rahman to build Bangladesh as an independent, sovereign and prosperous country.
‘The historic role played by Ziaur Rahman during the critical moment of independence in 1971 would be remembered by the nation with respect forever,’ he said while addressing as the chief guest at a discussion meeting and doa mahfil at the Dhaka Bar Association, marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman.
The minister said the contributions of Ziaur Rahman and his family are deeply intertwined with the greatest achievements of Bangladesh’s national life.
He further said that following the 1975 political changeover, Ziaur Rahman played an important role in opening the door to democracy in Bangladesh. Through the restoration of multi-party democracy, creation of scope for political activities and establishing balance in state governance, he gave a new dimension to the country’s democratic advancement.
Referring to the independence of the judiciary, the minister said Ziaur Rahman’s contribution to establishing ‘checks and balances’ in the judicial system was also significant.
He said the Fifth Amendment introduced an effort to establish an effective balance in the state structure, which played an important role in ensuring the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary.
Referring to the current political reality, Asaduzzaman said a large number of the martyrs and injured of the July uprising were from BNP families. The contributions of those who sacrificed for the establishment of democracy and people’s rights can never be denied.
Warning against denial of history, he said that if the history of the July uprising and earlier democratic movements is ignored, future generations may also one day deny the value of those achievements.
The minister said that lessons must be learned from history to advance national unity, democracy, rule of law and the struggle for people’s rights. He stressed the need to present the ideals and state philosophy of martyred president Ziaur Rahman before the new generation in order to further strengthen Bangladesh’s progress.
Presided over by Dhaka Bar Association president Md Anwar Jahid Bhuiyan and conducted by its general secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Khan, the programme was also addressed by BNP vice-chairman Zainul Abedin, BNP chairperson’s adviser and president of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, and former general secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association and BNP’s legal affairs secretary Badruddoza Badal, along with other leaders of the Dhaka Bar Association.
The discussion meeting was followed by a special prayer and doa mahfil seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of former president Ziaur Rahman.
