Says Information Minister
'Not 140 crore, if necessary 220 crore SAARC region people must be united'
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that despite linguistic similarities with West Bengal, there are differences in cultural traits, which cannot be denied. He said no certificate from across the border is needed for a Bangali identity. Anthropologically, we are Bangladeshis. The 'Bangladeshi nationalism' introduced by the martyred President Ziaur Rahman is a monumental achievement.
He also said that uniting just 140 crore or 20 crore people is not enough; when necessary, all 220 crore people within the SAARC region must be united. We want to move forward with SAARC on a regional level and the United Nations on an international level.
The minister made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'Implementing the July Charter for National Reconstruction,' held on Saturday afternoon at the Muktijoddha Milonayatan of the Diploma Engineers Institution in the capital.
The organization named 'We Are Bangladeshi' organised the meeting. Under the chairmanship of the organization's main initiator, Syed Ehsanul Huq, other speakers included renowned economist Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Haque Noor, General Secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party Saiful Haque, and Member of Parliament Shahadat Hossain Selim.
The Information Minister further said that the slogans and guidance from BNP's Chairman Tarique Rahman on the streets gave the people strength and courage during the July Uprising, making possible the most acceptable election in the country's history.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Mahbub Ullah, said that those who come to Bangladesh with a mission to realize the dream of an undivided India, (we should) rethink of them. National unity is now our primary weapon.
MP Shahadat Hossain Selim said in his speech that the BNP would implement every letter of the July Charter.
Criticizing the immediate past caretaker government, he said the former Chief Adviser wanted to delay the election, attempting to bypass the people for his own benefit. He added that after all conspiracies were foiled, the country has now reached its proper destination under a political government.
