BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku today addressed a view-exchange meeting with BNP leaders and activists in Sirajganj. Photo: BSS

SIRAJGANJ, Sept 30 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member and former minister 
Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku today said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party 
(BNP), founded by martyred President Ziaur Rahman, is the true representative 
of the spirit of the country's independence.

"President Ziaur Rahman declared the War of Liberation, fought valiantly on 
the battlefield and earned the gallantry title Bir Uttam. BNP was born from 
that legacy and remains committed to the ideals of independence," he said.

Tuku made the remarks while addressing a view-exchange meeting with leaders 
and activists of wards two to nine of Sirajganj Municipality BNP, held at the 
Victoria High School ground in the town.

He said the political forces which opposed the Liberation War still do not 
want peace and progress in the country. "These forces, in the name of 
religion, are constantly creating unrest and division in society," he added.

On the issue of religious freedom, Tuku stated, "Every individual has the 
right to worship freely. Worship is a personal matter and requires no 
intermediaries."

The meeting was presided over by District BNP President and former Municipal 
BNP President Md Jahangir Hossain Bhuiyan Selim and conducted by District 
Joint General Secretary and former Municipal BNP General Secretary Munshi 
Zahid Alam.

BNP National Executive Committee Member and District General Secretary Saidur 
Rahman Bachchu also addressed the gathering as the main discussant.

District BNP Vice-President Maqbul Hossain Chowdhury, freedom fighter Azizur 
Rahman Dulal, Senior Joint General Secretary VP Shamim Khan and Joint General 
Secretaries Nur Kayem Sabuj and Sabbir Hossain Bhuiyan Safi also spoke.

The event was attended by a large number of leaders and activists from the 
District BNP, its affiliated bodies and the newly-elected ward-level party 
leaders.