FM: Those questioning March 7 significance betray Bangladesh's sovereignty

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said he wonders whether those questioning March 7 believe in the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh.

These individuals and entities including the BNP do not observe March 7, Hasan, who is an Awami League joint general secretary, said while exchanging views with journalists after his party paid floral tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32.

"History of Bangladesh and independence cannot be fulfilled without March 7. So those who do not believe or practice it, I doubt whether they really believe in independence."

The foreign minister said the March 7 speech is not just a speech, it is an epic poem written with the aim of liberating a nation.

“Bangabandhu announced, ‘This struggle is a struggle for liberation, this struggle is a struggle for independence.’”

“Bangabandhu also said, ‘Be prepared with whatever you have, we need to face the enemies. He called upon the unarmed nation to transform into an armed nation and took time till March 26 after which he declared final independence,’" Hasan said.

The minister said that in fact, Bangabandhu called for independence on March 7 and he made the announcement.

"On that day, the Pakistani intelligence agency sent a report to Rawalpindi from Dhaka: ‘The clever Sheikh Mujib has practically declared the independence of East Pakistan. But we had nothing to do but watch.’”

“Bangabandhu called for independence in such a way that there was no chance to accuse him,” Hasan said.

Source: UNB