Ziaur Rahman’s democratic transition guides national life, says Ansar director general
The democratic transition begun under the leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman is serving as a guide for national life, said Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, director general of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party.
On Saturday (7 November), the headquarters hosted a reading of the prime minister’s message, a durbar and a prayer gathering to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day in the spirit of national unity, patriotism, safeguarding independence and sovereignty, and democratic values. He made the remarks there.
The director general said 7 November is an important chapter in Bangladesh’s history of national unity, safeguarding independence and sovereignty, and collective awakening.
He said that after independence in 1971, amid various regional and international circumstances and political instability, the combined solidarity of soldiers and people was expressed on 7 November 1975, out of a resolve to keep the country’s independence and sovereignty intact.
In his view, the firm resolve to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty and the spirit of national unity that developed under the leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman carry great significance in national life. In the same continuity, the 2024 student-people’s uprising gave new life to the people’s aspirations for rights and justice.
He said the Village Defence Party (VDP), founded on the “People’s Warfare Doctrine” of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, is an important organisational structure for participatory defence and social development.
In that spirit, the nearly six million members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party continue to make important contributions — from the country’s remotest areas to urban life — in national security, social order, disaster response, humanitarian assistance and development work, he said.
On the development and welfare of the force, he said Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party is continuously advancing in training, skills, use of technology and professionalism. The force’s training activities have earned a reputation at home and abroad, increasing members’ skills and efficiency while creating new employment opportunities internationally.
He noted that the Ansar-VDP Development Bank has played an extremely important role in improving VDP members’ living standards, financial self-reliance and development as entrepreneurs. He recalled with deep respect the role of the late prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, under whose direct supervision the bank’s institutional growth and activities were advanced.
He expressed deep respect and gratitude to martyred President Ziaur Rahman and the late prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia for their outstanding contributions to consolidating the force’s foundation and its continued progress, and prayed for the salvation of their departed souls.
Calling on all to uphold the spirit of national unity and solidarity of 7 November and the prime minister’s resolve of “Bangladesh First”, the director general said national interest, public security and public welfare must be the main driving force of all activities. He said Ansar and VDP members must perform their duties with impartiality, honesty, dedication and professionalism to resist any kind of disorder, sabotage and provocation and to maintain peace, order and stability.
Additional Director General Brigadier General Mamunur Rashid, officers of various ranks at headquarters and members of the force were present at the programme.
