Minister asks for Zia’s grave to be removed from parliament area

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque has asked for structures, outside the Jatiya Sangsad’s ‘original design’—including Ziaur Rahman’s grave—to be removed.

He remarked this at a general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, on Saturday.

“Within the parliament grounds, there are some sepulchers, including Zia’s; and I would request they be removed from the JS area.”

While remembering Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the minister said: “Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (Bakshal) was formed to liberate the oppressed, however, Zia and his associates tarnished its reputation and turned it into an expletive.

“Awami League as well as other national parties’ activities were hampered due to them. Our prime minister is still working to re-establish the fame and economy of the country.”

At the session, Mozammel also talked about the advantages that their government has provided to the freedom fighters.

“We have taken the initiative to collect 10-20 minute recordings of every freedom fighter about their war duties and experience. These records will be permanently preserved,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the 9th and 10th parliament, there were demands raised by several ministers and MPs to restore the Parliament to its original design by Louis I Kahn. Bangladesh also collected the original design in 2016, but no initiative to remove these structures is yet visible.