Dhaka //

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan has called on the interim government to recognize March 2 as ‘National Flag Day’. He said, if the previous government has not determined the correct history, then you should determine the correct history. In line with that, celebrate March 2 with due dignity. This will make not only ASM Abdur Rab, but every person in the country proud.

He said these things at a protest rally demanding the declaration of March 2 as Flag Day at the National Press Club on Saturday morning. Organized by a social organization called ‘Hridoye Pataka 2 March’.

Moin Khan said, it is surprising why we have to discuss the demand for the declaration of National Flag Day after 53 years of independence. On March 2, 1971, ASM Abdur Rab hoisted the national flag in front of the Kala Bhavan. On that day, the then parliament session was canceled in the face of protests by the democratic people of East Pakistan. The flag of that day was not just a red and green flag, the center was golden Bangladesh. But independence had not been declared yet. Analyzing history, it can be seen that the flag of an independent country was hoisted before the declaration of independence. This is unique. Thousands of people took to the streets that day. It was no different from the student-public movement of August 5.

He said that Shahjahan Siraj, Noor Alam Siddiqui, Abdus Quddus Patwari were with ASM Abdur Rab that day. How much respect have we been able to show them in the history of independence?

This senior leader of BNP said that in 1948, students sowed the seeds of independence by chanting ‘Rashtra Bhasha Bangla Chai’. We saw the language movement in 1952, and the movement against the education policy in 1962. On that day, thousands of students protested on the streets of Dhaka against Hamidur Rahman’s education policy. On that day, students said that this education policy was for the rich class, not for East Pakistan. Then came the history of student rebellions in 69 and 71. Bangladesh became independent on the blood of millions of people. At that time, the people of Bangladesh said only one thing, we want democracy.

Moin Khan said, in continuation of that, the people have been protesting against the fascist government for the past 15 years. On August 5, the autocracy Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee through the student-public movement. These histories are woven from the same source. The role played by the students in the history of Bangladesh is unforgettable. I believe that it will remain as a part of world history. Today, he called on young students to learn from the red and green flag anew.

Under the chairmanship of the president of the organizing organization, writer and poet Shahana Sultana, and moderated by General Secretary Md. Manjur Hossain Isa, JSD General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, Senior Vice President Tania Rob, Chief Advisor of the organizing organization SM Shamsul Alam Nixon, Organizing Secretary of the Democratic Party Amir Hossain Amu, among others, also spoke.

President’s speech Shahana Sultana said, Bangladesh’s journey begins with the hoisting of the national flag on March 2. Why do we have to ask for a National Flag Day? This is very shameful for the nation. We started our journey from today.

It was also informed that the organization will submit a memorandum to the President and Chief Advisor within the next 7 days to recognize March 2 as National Flag Day.