Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that the maximum punishment for Ramisa’s killer will be ensured within the next one month.
The Prime Minister made the announcement while inaugurating a three-day national programme marking the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Trishal here this afternoon.
Reflecting on the state of the country, the prime minister remarked that during the era of “ousted fascism,” humanity and the long-standing religious and social values of the nation were utterly destroyed. He cited the “brutal death of an innocent girl” in Dhaka’s Mirpur as the ultimate proof of the final decay of human values.
“I want to state clearly at today’s event that the current government will not tolerate any form of child or women abuse,” the prime minister said. “Insha’Allah, the government will ensure the maximum punishment for Ramisa’s killer within a month. That maximum punishment is the death penalty”.
Bangladesh and Nazrul: An inseparable entity
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman described Bangladesh and Kazi Nazrul Islam as an “inseparable entity”. He characterised the National Poet as a successful representative of the national identity, a symbol of national consciousness, and a pioneer of nationalism.
He noted with regret that state-level celebrations of Nazrul Jayanti had not been held in Trishal since 2006. “After nearly two decades, the government feels proud to once again organise the birth anniversary of the National Poet at the state level,” he said.
The PM expressed deep gratitude to the late Daroga Rafiz Ullah, who provided shelter to Nazrul Islam at his home in Kazir Shimla village in 1914. He also highlighted the respect shown to the poet by late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
He reminded the audience that President Ziaur Rahman was one of those who carried the National Poet’s coffin on his shoulders following the funeral prayers at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan in 1976. Furthermore, he noted that in May 1979, the late President participated in a rally from Farmgate to the poet’s grave at Dhaka University to mark his birth anniversary.
The PM also credited former prime minister Khaleda Zia with the establishment of the “Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University” in Trishal. He asserted that showing such respect to the nation’s greatest children does not diminish one’s own honour, but rather magnifies one through humility.
Poet’s emergence as a ‘beacon of light’
Describing Kazi Nazrul Islam as an unforgettable name in national history, the prime minister likened his emergence to a “beacon of light” in the destiny of a subjugated and defeated nation. He stated that the poet’s works glorified the hopes, aspirations, struggles, and heritage of the people.
“Whether it is revolution, rebellion, or battle songs; Islamic songs and values; bhajans, kirtans, or Shyama Sangeet; love, nature, or human values—Nazrul is our pure expression in every field,” he added.
Tarique Rahman further proposed that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Department verify the feasibility of declaring Trishal as “Nazrul City”.
The three-day programme marking the birth anniversary of the National Poet has been kicked off this afternoon at the Nazrul Mancha of the Nazrul Academy ground at Darirampur in Trishal here, which is associated with the poet’s childhood memories. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is organizing the event.
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury presided over the inaugural function while State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Md Shariful Alam, local lawmaker Mahbubur Rahman Liton, Secretary of Cultural Affairs Ministry Kaniz Moula, Mymensingh Zila Parishad Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Executive Director of the Kabi Nazrul Institute Md Latiful Islam Shibli, the poet’s granddaughter and Chairperson of the Trustee Board of the Kabi Nazrul Institute Khilkhil Kazi, Professor Tarikh Monjur of Dhaka University’s Bangla Department and Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Saifur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.
