USA Bureau

In a speech delivered virtually from India at an Awami League rally in New York on Sunday evening (December 1) , marking the month of victory, Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shed light on the changing situation in Bangladesh and urged the expatriates to remain united.

After presenting the context of the student-public movement, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh had turned around economically due to being given the opportunity to serve for three consecutive terms.

Regarding her flight from the country on August 5, Sheikh Hasina said, "I did not want bloodshed. That is why I did not order the police to open fire to suppress the movement that began in July. The police fired rubber bullets." Sheikh Hasina alleged that more than 3,000 policemen were killed in that movement. Several hundred police stations were attacked and set on fire after looting weapons. Many police officers also died in that fire. Sheikh Hasina mentioned that one day everything will be revealed. Then surely those responsible for killing police and people in the name of the movement will have to stand trial.

Sheikh Hasina also said that in the last 15 years, people's lives were safe. There were no incidents of theft, robbery, and kidnapping. There was no famine. We did not just build a digital Bangladesh for the young people; we took steps to develop a group of people with modern technology knowledge in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh will once again occupy a place of glory in the spirit of the Liberation War. However, a corruption is going on now. This cannot continue for long. Because the people are the owners of the republic. If someone misuses their power, they will definitely be judged.

The former Prime Minister told the youth that they should try to know the history of the Liberation War. They should know how much sacrifice we made to achieve independence.

Expressing gratitude to the expatriates, Sheikh Hasina said that the contribution of the expatriates to every achievement, including the Liberation War of Bangladesh, is undeniable, and I remember their contribution with respect. I thank everyone and have also given permission for my speech to be broadcast everywhere. The speech was coordinated by Imdad Chowdhury, General Secretary of the New York Metropolitan Awami League.

The organizers of the large-scale gathering of expatriates at the Labanya Party Hall in Ozone Park included host organization leader Sakhawat Hossain Chanchal, Rafiqur Rahman Rafiq, Emdad Bhuiyan Raju, Motasim Billah Dulal, Nurul Islam Sentu, Durud Mia Ronel, Nurul Amin Babu, Gazi Liton, Abdul Hamid, Mahmud Hasan, Sohel Mohammad, and others.

The special guests were Dr. Dilip Nath, District Leader of the Queens Democratic Party, Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, Dr. Pradeep Kar, Samad Azad, Dr. Masudul Hasan, Sharaf Sarkar, Ashrafuzzaman, Momtaz Shahnaz, Morsheda Zaman, Joynal Abedin, Haji Enam, Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, and leaders from all walks of life. It is worth mentioning that many people from far and wide gathered at the party hall after hearing the news of the party leader's speech on the first day of the month of victory.

At the beginning, the music atmosphere was energized by the spirit of victory, with artists from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Rathindranath Roy, popular artists from abroad, Krishnathithi and Rajib Bhattacharya. Imdad Chowdhury, Sakhawat Hossain Chanchal and Rafiqur Rahman expressing deep gratitude to all those involved for the large attendance at this rally despite various circumstances and hostile weather.