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Awami League (AL) on Wednesday condemned the interim government's move to cancel eight significant national days, including the one commemorating the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu and August 15.
"The Bengali nation is rejecting this intention of wanting to fuel the politics of division and reactionary evil forces by erasing the national history of Bengali by pressing the reset button," the party said in a press release.
It mentioned that the entire nation and people inspired by the spirit of the great Liberation War will unitedly respond to this "despicable" action.
The Council of Advisers took the decision in a recent meeting. The Cabinet Division is expected to issue a gazette notification in this regard soon.
The days are- March 17 celebrates both the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, August 5 marks the birth anniversary of Shaikh Hasina's brother Sheikh Kamal and August 8 the birth anniversary of Hasina's mother Bangamata Begum Fojilatunnesa Mujib, October 18 is observed marking Hasina's youngest brother Sheikh Russell Day, November 4 as National Constitution Day and December 12 recognises Smart Bangladesh Day.
Awami League said "well-planned" steps are being taken to destroy human values and the spirit of the liberation war. "They are hostile to the brave freedom fighters and those who believe in the spirit of the liberation war."
The press release mentioned that misusing the state apparatus to eliminate the pro-liberation forces from national politics, the interim government is carrying out "mass arrests on false charges. State has established anarchism in the country, which is called Matsyanyaya."
Fed up with the government's inefficiency and lawlessness, Awami League said that people have already started saying, "we used to have beautiful days."
The press release said that the greatest achievement of Bengal and Bengalis is the establishment of the independent and sovereign Bangladesh state, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation.
"The contribution of the trusted colleagues of the Father of the Nation, the freedom-loving people of the country and his family is indelible. But we can see that all the individuals, institutions and symbolic structures of the liberation struggle are suffering from the vindictive behavior of the government."
As a result of this, the press release reads, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national days related to national history are decided to be excluded from the state activities. "We strongly condemn and protest against such retaliatory measures."
These included the historic Awakening Speech Day on March 7, Children's Day on March 17, and days of mourning such as August 15, recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO.
"The significance of these days in our national history cannot be denied in any way. No one can 'hold' us by pressing the reset button."
Awami League firmly hopes that truth shall prevail above all.
"The days that were cancelled due to the hatred of the government, the Bengali will observe them socially and culturally with utmost compassion as always and will firmly say, we will come back to the banks of the Dhansiri River."
