Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, the largest cultural organisation in the country on Friday formed human chains and staged demonstrations across the country protesting plot against the national anthem.
The artists and activists of the cultural organisation hoisted the national flag in open spaces and organised the singing of the national anthem nationwide.
As part of its nationwide programme, they formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the capital Dhaka and chanted slogans including, “stand against conspiracies involving our national anthem," “take to the streets, raise your voice, sing ‘Amar Sonar Bangla Ami Tomay Bhalobashi’ (My Golden Bengal, I love you).”
Apart from the capital Dhaka, activists of Udichi Shilpi Gosthi from all districts and branch committees of united in heartfelt emotion singing the national anthem that was earned through the blood of countless martyrs.
People from all walks of life also joined the Udichi Shilpi Gosthi’s programme and sang the national anthem in chorus in the capital Dhaka and different parts of the country.
The leaders of the Udichi Shilpi Gosthi whose goal is the struggle to build what they deem a just, free, and equal society, said they will not tolerate any conspiracy against the country’s national anthem.
They also promised a united front against all malicious forces if such any such attempts are made.
Tensions and frustration flared up across the country on Tuesday as many people expressed grave concern and strongly condemned the statements of Abdullahil Aman Azmi, son of the former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam.
Netizens started protesting strongly on social media opposing the sentiment, and Udichi announced the program of singing the National Anthem with a collective voice.
They called Abdullahil Aman Azmi’s stamen 'paramount to the existence of freedom'.
Speakers at the event said they will not tolerate any conspiracy against the country's national anthem. They also promised a united front against all malicious forces if such attempts are made.
Udichi president Professor Badiur Rahman said, "The 1971 Liberation War is our greatest pride - and we will protest any conspiracy against it. Our national anthem, national flag is our achievement which was earned in exchange of the blood and sacrifice of our millions of martyrs."
"This glorious achievement cannot be tarnished in any way, and whenever we see any conspiracy against our Liberation War, National Flag and National Anthem - we will raise our voice and protest," he added.
Speaking virtually at a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Abdullahil Aman Azm labelled Bangladesh’s national anthem as "contrary to the existence of independence" and demanded its change.
He also said the constitution of 1972 is not "legitimate" and called for the drafting of a new constitution.
Aman Azmi also raised questions about the number of martyrs in the 1971 Liberation War.
Regarding the 1972 constitution, the dismissed military officer said: "In 1970, the Awami League took a mandate under the Pakistani constitution to form a state of Pakistan, not to draft an independent constitution. In 1971, Pakistan imposed a war on us, and we fought and became independent…
He reiterated at the press conference, "Sheikh Mujib said 3 million instead of 300,000, and that became 3 million. They have deceived the people by using their emotions without any survey.
