The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

A reception to distinguished persons in the city was marred by uproar when Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, member of BNP standing committee, uttered remarks not acceptable to the audience at the National Press Club yesterday.

In a chaotic atmosphere, Rural Journalist Foundation (RJF) awarded Gold medals to more than 30 recipients, including freedom fighters, language movement hero, politician, economist and social workers.

The RJF arranged the reception and a discussion on "Our Responsibility in Preserving Independence and Sovereignty."

Abul Hashem Hawlader patron of the RJF chaired the function. Chief guest former minister Air Vice Marshal (Retd) AK Khondakar Bir Uttam, Deputy Chief of Liberation Forces, special guests Kader Siddiqui, Bir Uttam, of Bangladesh Sramik League, former chiefs of the Army, Lt Gen (Retd) Mahabubur Rahman and Lt Gen (Retd) Harun-ur Rashid, among others, attended the ceremony.

The audience jeered at Gen Mahbubur Rahman when he said, "Our previous Governments were ineffective and to preserve our sovereignty and freedom all parties should unite including the Jamaat-e Islami."

They demanded his expulsion from the conference room in strong voice. However, the BNP leader did not leave the place or apologise for his remark.

In his inaugural speech Kader Siddiqui referred to the Jamaat-e Islami as Razakar (collaborators). He said, "I should not have referred to Jamaat as traitors, had they not taken the side of Pakistan overtly during the Liberation War."

"They are cowards and abominable," he added. He further referred to Jatiya Muktijoddha Parishad as an organisation of Razakars and suggested Sector Commanders to keep an eye on their conspiracy.

Chief Guest AK Khondaker said, "Preserve democracy with the same spirit that we showed at the time of the Liberation War."

He also assured the audience that the war criminals would be punished.

Meanwhile, The family members of freedom fighter Rakhal Chandra Saha, who would be hanged on Monday, requested the Government to commute his death sentence.

SM Zohirul Islam, the founder chairman of the RJF, urged the Government to withdraw all litigations against journalists.