DHAKA: The government is making a plan to shift the grave of former President of the country Ziaur Rahman, also founder of BNP, from the National Parliament area. 

This has caused furor among the leaders, activists and supporters from every level of the party.

A major section of BNP urged to move discretely thinking incumbent Awami League government might implement the plan as a part of their plan to destroy the party.

BNP’s central leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, in a keen reaction, told banglanews: “I don’t know whether the religion (Islam) permits to move the graveyard or not.”

He also cited the example of keeping Golap Shah’s mazar (shrine) intact at Gulistan area which is one of the busiest areas of the city.

Finance Affairs secretary of the party Abdus Salam termed it as a part of a longstanding plan of Awami League to obliterate the name of Ziaur Rahman and his family and legacy in the political arena of Bangladesh.

Some of the senior leaders’ of the party thought the plan as ill-motivated and said they would discuss the matter in an emergency party meeting with the Chairperson Khaleda Zia, also wife of Ziaur Rahman, tonight.

BNP’s vice chairman Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Bir Bikram said they would strongly protest the matter.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on Tuesday, proposed to shift the grave of Ziaur Rahman from the Jatiya Sangsad area and construct a secretariat building in its place as was planned in the original plan by Louis Kahn.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader proposed to shift Zia’s grave outside of Dhaka.

The proposal came while discussing about the construction of postal directorate building.

BDST: 2025 HRS, JUN 18, 2014