Awami League tortured in the hands of all

 

Live Correspondent: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Awami League was tortured in the hands of all. First, by Ziaur Rahman, then HM Ershad and then Khaleda Zia. The Prime Minister made the remarks, joining the discussion over a condolence motion placed in the parliament to express profound grief at the demise of two sitting lawmakers --Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and lawmaker Sheikh Anee Rahman—as well as some noted personalities including Queen Elizabeth-II and five former MPs.

She said the death of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury was a great loss not only for Awami League but also for the country as she had significant contributions to the nation alongside the party. "Her (Sajeda Chowdhury) death is a loss not only for the Awami League, but also for our country, the nation and me," she said

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the 20th session of the 11th Parliament. Later, the Parliament unanimously adopted a condolence motion following the discussion.

The Prime Minister said Sajeda Chowdhury took the helm of Awami League and took it forward during a very tough time after 1975.

"She used to follow the ideology and principle of the party and tried to keep the party organised in that tough time," the PM said adding that Sajeda Chowdhury used to stay in the frontline in every movement and struggle.

The PM said Sajeda Chowdhury was a freedom fighter, social activist and cultural-minded person. "We, Bangladesh Awami League, truly lost a devoted soul with her demise," she said.

Noting that she used to call Sajeda Chowdhury as Fupu (aunt), Hasina said, "I always found her beside me in my way of life." The PM recalled her contribution to the nation including women empowerment, women leadership, forestation and environment.

About Queen Elizabeth-II, Hasina said she was a symbol of motherhood to the people of Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth-II was also sincere to the commonwealth countries. "The Queen used to talk to me and enquire about me whenever I participated in the Commonwealth summit," she said.

The Queen shared with her about her worry over the women leadership crisis in the commonwealth countries, environment and adverse impacts of climate change.

Recalling her memory, the PM said the Queen once took her to the balcony of Buckingham Palace and saw the plastic pollution at sea and told her that actions should be taken to prevent the pollution.

As per the tradition, the day's business of Parliament was adjourned after the adoption of the condolence motion over the death of two sitting AL lawmakers.

Awami League's presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, who was elected MP from Faridpur-2 constituency, died on September 11 last, while another AL lawmaker Sheikh Anee Rahman, who was elected from the women seat-19, died on October 11 last.

The five ex-lawmakers are former whip Prof Khaleda Khanam (Women Seat-23), Gias Uddin Ahmed (Mymensingh-10), former Deputy Prime Minister Shah Moazzem Hossain (Dhaka-5 and Rangpur-6), former minister Abul Hasnat (Dhaka-9) and Shahanara Begum (Women Seat-48).

The House also expressed deep shock at the death of noted personalities, including former caretaker government's adviser Akbar Ali Khan, noted journalists Ranesh Maitra and Toab Khan, legendary lyricist, director and producer Gazi Mazharul Anwar, renowned artist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury and famous dramatist Masum Aziz.

Besides, the House also mourned the loss of lives in recent cyclone Sitrang, boat capsize in Korotoa River in Panchagarh, and different recent accidents at home and abroad.

Before the passage of the condolence motion, a one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered eternal peace to the departed souls.

AL lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Shajahan Khan, Muhammad Faruk Khan, SM Rezaul Karim, Jatiya Party MPs GM Quader, Anisul Islam Mahmud, Kazi Firoz Rashid and Mashiur Rahman Ranga, among others, also participated in the discussion.

Dhaka, 30 October (campuslive24.com)//AIT

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