MM Rahmatullah: Bangladesh Muslim League has called for maintaining unity among the forces of the July uprising until what it described as the “final fall of Indian hegemony,” stressing that national unity is essential to resist fascism and domination.

The call was made at a discussion meeting titled “The Necessity of Muslim Nationalist Politics in the Context of the July Mass Uprising”, organised by the Bangladesh Muslim League at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Saturday afternoon, marking the party’s 51st Reorganisation Day.

The meeting was chaired by Muslim League Executive President Abdul Aziz Howladar.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, Abdus Salam, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation and a freedom fighter, said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman had established the party to stand against domination.

“It is therefore impossible for BNP to compromise with domination,” he said, according to the press release.

Abdus Salam also called for greater unity among anti-fascist political forces, saying that divisions among political parties opposed to fascism had created opportunities for fascist forces to regain confidence.

“Despite political differences, everyone must remain united on the issues of fascism and domination,” he said.

The chief discussant, Kazi Abul Khayer, secretary general of the Bangladesh Muslim League, said there was no alternative to national unity among all forces involved in the July uprising over the issues of fascism and domination.

He urged the political forces to preserve what he described as a “solid unity” at any cost until the “final fall of Indian hegemony.”

In his presidential address, Abdul Aziz Howladar highlighted the history of the Muslim League’s reorganisation in Bangladesh.

He said Khan A. Sabur took the initiative to reorganise the Muslim League on August 8, 1976, with the aim of protecting the interests of Muslims in Bengal. According to Howladar, the initiative not only brought together people following the ideology of Muslim nationalism but also played an important role in establishing multiparty democracy.

The discussion was attended by Ashraf Ali Akand, presidium member of Islami Andolan Bangladesh; columnist Mostafa Kamal Majumdar; Labour Party President Dr Mustafizur Rahman Iran; FDP President Dr A R Khan; Nagarik Andolan President Ahchan Ullah Shamim; Itihas Anwesha Editor S M Nazrul Islam; Desh Bachao Manush Bachao President Rakibul Islam Ripon; Muslim League Standing Committee Member Maulana Muhammad Zahirul Anwar; July uprising activist and Muslim League leader Bakul; Vice President Syed Abdul Hannan Noor; Additional Secretary General Kazi A A Kafi; Organising Secretary Khan Asad; Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan; Labour Secretary Engr Osman Gani, among others.

The Bangladesh Muslim League observes August 8 as its Reorganisation Day, commemorating the initiative taken in 1976 to reorganise the party in the post-independence political landscape.