CD Pays Tribute to Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia on 48th Founding Anniversary
Dhaka, Oct. 27: Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal (JCD), the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on Tuesday paid tribute to the graves of BNP founder and former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia on the occasion of the organisation’s 48th founding anniversary.
The tribute was paid through the placement of floral wreaths at the graves of the two leaders at Chandrima Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital at around 11:30 am.
A special prayer was later offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was present at the programme, along with Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan and leaders and activists from different levels of the organisation.
Speaking after the tribute, Rizvi said the Jubo Dal was established 48 years ago under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman, whom he described as a visionary statesman and the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence.
He said Ziaur Rahman had subsequently played a significant role in establishing multiparty democracy and safeguarding freedom of speech, expression and individual liberty.
“Through numerous struggles and movements, Jubo Dal has established itself as a formidable frontline force of the BNP,” Rizvi said.
He said the organisation and its leaders and activists had played important roles in movements for democracy, people's rights and the restoration of democratic institutions, including the caretaker government system.
Rizvi also said Jubo Dal members had stood alongside Tarique Rahman, whom he described as a key leader of the democratic movement, and had made sacrifices during various political struggles.
Describing Jubo Dal as one of the country's largest youth organisations, Rizvi said it symbolised struggle, courage and unity.
He alleged that many of its leaders and activists had been arrested by police, subjected to remand and detained in prison for months. Some, he added, had faced life imprisonment through court verdicts for political reasons.
“Despite these challenges, they did not retreat from their commitment to the democratic movement,” he said.
Rizvi said Jubo Dal had emerged as a strong youth organisation after 48 years of political activism and struggle.
He expressed confidence that the organisation would make a significant contribution to the production- and development-oriented initiatives, people-centred politics, social security programmes and reform measures introduced by Tarique Rahman.
Praising Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Rizvi said both leaders had developed their political leadership through years of sacrifice and perseverance, beginning in their student lives.
He described Munna and Nayan as symbols of unity and courageous leadership, adding that they had played important roles in the movement that led to the fall of what the BNP calls fascist rule.
On the occasion of the organisation's 48th founding anniversary, Rizvi called on Jubo Dal leaders and activists to pledge their support to the country's reconstruction and development.
He said the organisation should work as a supportive force in initiatives aimed at improving people's economic conditions, creating employment opportunities, expanding production and developing industries and factories under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Rizvi wished the organisation success in its future activities and expressed his best wishes to its leaders and activists on the founding anniversary.