Some people always try to present distorted history: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"There were several attempts in 21 years from 1975 to 1996 that was to erase the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and there were ill efforts at that time to create confusion about the declaration of independence," she said.

The prime minister said some people started telling one step forward that country was not liberated due to lone efforts of anybody. It's true that nothing is happened for single efforts, she added.

"But there are initiatives, inspiration and organisational strength of anybody behind everything and Bangabandhu had that strength," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, said this while addressing a joint meeting of the presidium members and secretaries of the party at her official Ganabhaban residence on Thursday.

The premier also called upon the countrymen to stay alert against the ghost of anti-liberation forces, saying that they try to snap whenever they get scope.

"It's unfortunate for the Bangali nation that conspiracies started brewing up against those who want to bring smiles on the faces of the people through changing their lot and when the people began getting its benefit," she said.

She added: "Its meaning is that the ghost of the anti-liberation forces, who didn't want liberation war and were involved in genocide, rape, looting and torching, still exists in the country and they try to snap whenever they get chance."

The premier said the Bangali nation will have to remain alert against the ghost of the anti-liberation nexus. "They will have to realize that who want their welfare and who do work for the development of the country," she said.

The premier said Yahya Khan declared Bangabandhu as the only enemy of Pakistan and put him in the dock for trial for declaring independence.

She said when Father of the Nation declared country's independence on March 26 in 1971, the then Pakistani president not only arrested Bangabandhu, but also blamed only Bangabandhu for it.

Sheikh Hasina said Yahya Khan in his address on March 26 didn't mention the name of any other leaders except Bangabandhu. He put signature on the verdict of the execution of Bangabandhu through a farcical trial, she said.

The premier said Yahya didn't arrest Ziaur Rahman and sack him from the job. "He (Yahya) only arrested Bangabandhu and blamed him for declaring independence," she said.

The prime minister said the nation had to hear the distorted history for 21 years from 1975 and ill efforts were made to make Zia as hero by describing him as the declarer of independence.

She said Ziaur Rahman worked in favour of the Pakistani rulers and killed by firing those people in Chittagong who put up barricade and blockades against the Pakistani occupation at the call of Bangabandhu.

The prime minister said Awami League leader Abdul Hannan first read out the independence speech of Bangabandhu through Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and later others read out it gradually.

She said the volunteers barricaded Ziaur Rahman when he was engaged in unloading arms from Swat Ship and detained him to read out the independence declaration of Bangabandhu.

"At that time an army officer was needed to read out the declaration. But attempts were made to make hero that man who read out the declaration of independence," she said. After the assassination of Bangabandhu, she said, the nation had to listen that Bangladesh was liberated with united efforts of all, not any individual. "Anything is achieved through united efforts, but there is a person who gives leadership in it," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had given leadership to the 23-year struggle and the Liberation War and none could deny it. "It's the real history," she said.

The prime minister said the 7th March speech was one of the best speeches delivered in 2500 years to encourage the people.

The Awami League chief said the Bangladesh is marching forward and it would advance further and urged the people to remain vigilant so that this advancement is not halted.

Putting emphasis on the continuation of the government, Sheikh Hasina said the people are getting the touch of development as the continuation of the government exists.

Asking the party leaders to further strengthen the organisation, the premier said they will have to retain the confidence and trust of the people and give attention their welfare.

The Awami League chief said her party duly performed responsibility. "When we were in opposition we didn't burn people to death like BNP," she said.

The prime minister said her government presented Din Badaler Sanad (charter for change) before the 2008 election.

"We have rightly changed the days of the people. We tried to bring smiles on the faces of the common people and our goal has been achieved as peace and comfort returned among them and they started seeing dream," she said.

The prime minister said the aim of the government that there won't be single person to remain homeless. "We have already taken a project that we would build houses for one lakh people," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the welfare of the country is ensured and the development of the country is made when Awami League remains in power.

"On the other hand, peace and comfort won't exist and terrorism, militancy, corruption, nepotism, Hawa Bhaban, Khoab Bhaban, money laundering will come back like 2001 if BNP comes to power," she said.