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Speaking on the obituary motion, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League President, expressed deep shock and sorrow at the deaths of two lawmakers of the current parliament Advocate Sahara Khatun and Md Israfil Alam.
“It’s a matter of sorrow that we have lost fellow colleagues in the parliament one after another particularly after the outbreak of the coronavirus while many eminent personalities and leaders and activists also died during the period.
The premier also expressed her shock and sorrow at the deaths of the people who died of coronavirus and wished early recovery of the COVID-19 patients.
She described the death of Sahara Khatun, the country’s first female home minister and AL presidium member, as an irrepairable loss to the party and the nation as well.
“She (Sahara Khatun) was a honest, brave and dedicated politician and took part in all the democratic movements from the forefront despite facing inhuman torture by HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia governments,” she said.
About the bravery of Sahara Khatun, the premier said that she went to the BDR headquarters after the mutiny took place (on February 25 and 26 in 2009) and saved many people (from the captivity of BDR) risking her life.
“Sahara Apa told me that she somehow managed to come out of the BDR (headquarters) with life as they (BDR mutineers) wanted to attack her. It could not be possible for a commoner,” Sheikh Hasina added.
Noting that those who could not come to power at that time might have been involved in the massacre, she said, “One day the name of the people involved in it (BDR mutiny) will definitely come out.”
The premier recalled that she always found standing Sahara Khatun beside her since her return to the country in 1981 after six years of forced exile life. “Sahara Khatun gave secure life to the people after getting the charge of home ministry,” she said.
The Leader of the House also paid tributes Israfil Alam said that the country has lost a valiant parliamentarian in his death.
Paying homage to former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, the premier said that he always stood beside them at their bad times during the 1971 Liberation War and after August 15, 1971 carnage.
Sheikh Hasina said she got the veteran politician of subcontinent and his family as their near and dear ones when they took shelter as refugees in India after losing everything in the 1975 carnage.
“He (Pranab Mukherjee) also fought for Bangladesh in the international arena against the World Bank which suspended funding for the construction of the Padma Bridge after bringing false allegations of corruption,” she said.
The premier said Pranab Mukherjee was a very brilliant and wise politician and was honoured by everyone despite being a leader of Congress, adding that the subcontinent has lost a true leader in his death.
Sheikh Hasina, elder daughter of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also recalled the contribution of two sector commanders during the War of Liberation in 1971 Maj Gen (retd) Chitta Ranjan Dutta popularly known as CR Dutta, Bir Uttam and Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury.
“Both CR Dutta and Abu Osman Chowdhury had played a great role with bravery in achieving the country’s independence,” she added.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, State Minister of Labour and Employment Begum Munnujan Sufian, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak,MP, took part in the discussion.
Begum Matia Chowdhury, MP, Shajahan Khan, MP, Abdul Matin Khasru, MP, Deputy Opposition Leader in the parliament Ghulam Muhammed Quader, MP, Chief Whip of the Opposition Md Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker, MP, Shamsul Alam Dudu,MP, BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid, MP, also spoke on the occasion.
BSS/AHJ/SH/1620 HRS