Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that through the July uprising, Bangladesh created an opportunity to create a new democratic system.

Mirza Fakhru made the remarks after paying homage at the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Thursday morning.

”Today, we are going to celebrate the Independence Day in a completely different context. During the long 15/16 years of fascist rule in Bangladesh, when democracy was destroyed and the independence was in danger, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party fought and struggled along with the people.”

The minister said false cases were filed against nearly 60 lakh people, about 20,000 BNP leaders and activists were killed and nearly 1,700 leaders and activists were victims of enforced disappearances.

Fakhrul said by forming the government after the election, Tarique Rahman has been engaged in the work of nation building with his completely new thinking. ”In just one month, Bangladesh has come a long way under his leadership.”

He mentioned the government’s family card programme, monthly allowances for imams and muezzins, canal digging programme, and interest waiver of up to Taka 10,000 for marginal farmers.

At the onset of his speech, the BNP secretary general remembered Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman who inspired the people of Bangladesh to join the liberation war by declaring independence and fought on the battlefield during the nine-month long liberation war.