Aug 15 patrons have no right to talk on democracy: PM

Slamming BNP for obstructing the trial in the August 15 massacre, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (October 18, 2022) said it is an irony for the nation that the patrons of the killers are now lecturing on democracy and human rights.

“Today we are to hear the words of democracy, vote and human rights from them. Unfortunately, the same people are the killers, patrons of killers and violators of human rights,” she while addressing the inauguration of Sheikh Russel Day-2022 and Sheikh Russel Medal-2022.

She joined the event virtually from her official Gono Bhaban.

The event was organised at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) to mark the 59th birthday of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Russel was one of the martyrs of the August 15 carnage when he was 10 just years old.

Hasina said she and her sister Sheikh Rehana was not allowed to seek justice for the assassination of their family members until she formed the government in 1996.

“Today why do we hear so many words – the words on humanity and human rights? Can anyone give the answer to my question that we could try the killers only when I had been able to form the government and become the prime minister of Bangladesh overcoming many hurdles and obstacles?” she asked.

The premier said everyone who came to power after 1975 –Ziaur Rahman, Gen Ershad and Khaleda Zia—patronised and rewarded the brutal killers.

She inaugurated 5,000 Sheikh Russel Digital Labs and 300 Sheikh Russel Schools of Future (a school in each of the 300 parliamentary constituencies) as part of the government’s move to equip the future generations with modern and technology-based knowledge.

PM Hasina also unveiled a book titled “Duronto Pranobanto Sheikh Russel” featuring his childhood.

A video message from Nobel Peace Laureate and renowned child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi, the trailer of an animated film “Amader Chotto Russel Sona,” a video documentary on Sheikh Russel and a theme song marking Sheikh Russel Day-2022 were played at the event. The ICT Division made the 3D animated film, documentary and theme song.

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak presided over the event, while ICT Division Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam, Bangladesh Jatiyo Shishu Kishore Parishad Secretary General KM Shahidullah and child speaker Afsa Zafar Srijita spoke on the occasion.

Sheikh Russel was born on October 18, 1964, at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi.

Last year, the government declared October 18 as Sheikh Russel Day under the category “Ka” to observe the day nationally.