BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the 1971 killings of Bangladesh’s intellectuals as part of a deliberate blueprint orchestrated by anti-liberation forces. Speaking at a discussion marking Martyred Intellectuals Day in Dhaka’s Engineers Institution auditorium, he said the massacre, carried out just two days before Victory Day, aimed to cripple the nation intellectually. He accused local collaborators of aiding the Pakistani army in abducting and killing the country’s brightest minds.

Fakhrul further alleged that conspiracies against the nation’s progress continue in different forms, including under the current Awami League government. He criticized what he called the weakening of education, health, and economic systems, claiming these were part of a broader effort to suppress national potential. Referring to a recent attack on Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, he said attempts are being made to instill fear and silence democratic voices.

He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to democracy and vowed to realize the visions of Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Ziaur Rahman for a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.