BNP behind the sculpture incident: Obaidul Quader

Road transport and bridges minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had a clear role in instigating unrest over Bangabandhu’s sculpture.

"Their (BNP's) role is clear. They are operating from behind. They are communal evil forces and patrons of militancy. It's proven, " he said after paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur around 9:00am on Monday.

Citing the sacrifice of the martyred intellectuals, Obaidul Quader said, “Even after so many years of independence, communal evil forces are still conspiring.”

“On the day of the martyred intellectuals, our promise would be to eradicate the evil forces. We have to be united in the spirit of the liberation war with that goal in mind,” he said further.

People from all walks of life, different professions, religions, castes, political parties and individuals and organisations came to pay their respects at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial from 7:00am in the morning.

Liberation war affairs minister Mozammel Haque, after paying homage to the martyred intellectuals, talked to the media. Asked about the list of razakars, the minister said, "Earlier it was our moral duty to list the razakars, but there was no legal basis. The cabinet approved the list of razakars by amending the National Freedom Fighters Council Act two weeks ago.”

The liberation war minister further said, "While making this list, we should not be outraged towards anyone, and no one should be left out to show favour. We should make this list from the grassroots very carefully, after passing the law."

Asked about banning religion-based politics, Mozammel Haque said, "It is the head of government who sets the policy. But whether any law is passed or not, we hate, reject and oppose religion-based politics.”