Chaos erupted at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka today when leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP), along with some other participants, protested during the screening of a video documentary at a programme organised for the families of those killed and injured in the July Uprising.
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs organised the reception and discussion programme marking July Uprising Day, with acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, attending as the chief guest.
NCP leaders alleged that the documentary distorted the history of the July Uprising. They, along with some of those injured during the movement, began chanting, "Bhua, Bhua" (fake, fake).
The situation became more chaotic when State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain took the microphone and said, "You have come here to display your arrogance. What have you done for the families of those martyred in the July movement?"
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed then tried to calm the situation and invited the NCP leaders to come onto the stage and express their views.
"We will listen to your speech. Anyone among you can come to the stage and deliver your speech," he said.
Later, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen got onto the stage and also urged the audience to remain calm and stay seated. He said the documentary contained numerous inconsistencies and did not reflect the true history of the July movement.
He thanked the acting president and said he was unable to stay in the programme, then got down from the stage and left the programme venue.
Acting President Hafiz Uddin said, "People make mistakes. There are certainly many mistakes in this documentary. The first one I noticed is that there isn't even a picture of Abu Sayed. Abu Sayed is the symbol and embodiment of this revolution. Without his picture, it cannot truly be considered a documentary about it. There is also no picture of Begum Khaleda Zia, the leader of the nation."
"So, yes, some mistakes were made. The honourable minister has openly acknowledged those mistakes and apologised. He has apologised repeatedly. After that, everyone should have calmed down. At a national event like this, holding on to the issue and staging a walkout similar to one in parliament is not desirable."
