Jatiyo Party (JAPA) secretary-general Moshiur Rahman (Ranga) commented that martyr Noor Hossain, who died protesting against Ershad regime, was a drug addict. He claimed that Noor Hossain was a Yaba and Phensedyl addict. ASK expresses grave condemnation against such comment and demands an instant apology to Noor Hossain’s family and to the whole nation for such an objectionable comment.
According to media reports, the Secretary-General of the party made that comment during a discussion session celebrating ‘Democracy Day’ organised by Dhaka North branch of Jatiya Party on 10 November 2019. GM Quader the Chairman of Jatiya Party and other central leaders were present. He also claimed that the then President H. M. Ershad and his government are not responsible for the death of Noor Hossain. To mention, Noor Hossain participated in a procession against the tyranny of Ershad with slogans “Down with Autocracy” and “Let Democracy Be Free” inscribed on his chest and on his back. Police started shooting at the procession while it approached Zero point at Gulistan. A bullet from police shot Noor Hossain to death. Subsequently, the movement against the tyranny of Ershad got accelerated and catalyzed the fall of the Ershad regime. From then on Noor Hossain became the symbol for democracy. The day is celebrated every year as Martyr Noor Hossain Day. However, Jatiyo Party started celebrating 10 November as “Democracy Day” since 1996.
ASK expresses its deep condemnation against such objectionable and derogatory comment ignoring the sacrifice of Noor Hossain for the movement against autocracy and the fight of Bangladesh for the establishment of democracy.

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Press Statement 12 Nov 2019