Berlin, Oct 23 — The prime minister has alleged that the opposition chief is trying to bring back terrorism and militancy to the country.
"Her true face has come out. Our opposition has asked us to free war criminals," Sheikh Hasina said at a reception accorded by expatriates in her honour at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin in the German capital on Sunday.
Hasina said opposition leader Khaleda Zia had pitted herself against freedom fighters by making this claim.
"She said, 'None of them committed war crimes. They cannot be tried'. I leave this up to you to judge," the prime minister said.
Refuting Khaleda's remarks about her religion, Hasina said, "She says I am not a Muslim since I do not follow the rites and rituals.
"I start my day with Fajr prayers [at dawn] while hers starts at 12pm. Would I have to take a certificate from her? How dare she!" the prime minister said.
"How can a Muslim tell another Muslim,'You are not a Muslim'?"
Khaleda told a public meeting in Sylhet on Oct 11, "Prime minister Sheikh Hasina told a Durga Puja function that our Maa Durga has arrived by elephant. Is Durga her mother? We want to know which religion she actually believes in."
Two days later, Hasina snapped, "She asked whether I'm a Muslim or not. I would like to tell her that my day starts with Fajr prayers while her morning begins at midday."
Hasina recalled her grandfather — Sheikh Jahurul Haque — and said, "Why should it be indecent of me to ask her grandfather's name? Or where her husband's parents' graves are?"
The prime minister criticised the opposition's road march programme, calling it a 'car rally'.
"To have a road march you have to walk on the road," she remarked.
Hasina said the 15th amendment has been carried out to the constitution to ensure that the people would remain the holders of power.
"Our target is that no-one should be able to play with the Bangladeshi people's right to vote," she said.
Hasina said her government had fulfilled its promises to the people one by one. "We have countered terrorism with a strong hand. No militant activities have taken place during our term," she said.
She mentioned the agreements signed with India and said that the water distribution of 54 rivers would be resolved through discussion.
Hasina pointed out that Bangladesh's exports had increased amid the global recession. Exports to Germany had also grown, and until now 36 German firms were investing and 21 more had registered for investment, she said. She also called on expatriates to invest in the country.
"Foreign aid is being squeezed because of the recession. There are a lot of promises but few are seen keeping them," Hasina remarked and said that an infrastructure development fund would be created.
Awami League members from across Europe attended the event.
From:www.bdnews24.com
No comments:
Post a Comment