Udichi hosts event against controversy on national anthem

Udichi held a rally against the national anthem controversy in front of the National Press Club on Friday 6 Sept 2024.

Dhaka, Sep 6 - Against the recent controversy centring on the national anthem, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi has organised a human chain and protest rally on Friday.

The members of Udichi and some other cultural organizations protested by singing the National Anthem on the road opposite to the Jatiya Press Club on Friday.

The recent controversial discussion centering the National Anthem sparked on Tuesday when Abdullahil Aman Azmi, son of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's former Amir Ghulam Azam, demanded to change the National Anthem of Bangladesh in a virtual press conference, calling it 'paramount to the existence of freedom'.

Netizens started protesting strongly on social media opposing the sentiment, and Udichi announced the program of singing the National Anthem in a collective voice.

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 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.

Following the speeches, the protestors performed the National Anthem and some other patriotic songs together.

Similar event took place simultaneously in different parts the country, as part of Udichi's protest against the controversy, the organisers said. - UNB