The Secretary General of Jatiya Party (JP) Moshiur Rahman Ranga on Tuesday offered unconditional apology for his controversial remarks claiming that Shaheed (Martyr) Noor Hossain was addicted to drugs like Yaba pills and Phensedyl.
Earlier various political and socio-cultural organisations of the country including ruling AL party had demanded immediate arrest of Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga for his remarks about Shaheed Noor Hossain.
The unanimous demand had come when the political and cultural organisations observed Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Tuesday, commemorating the martyrdom of Noor Hossain. The whole nation recalled Noor Hossain for his outstanding contributions to anti-autocracy movement and restoration of democracy in the country.
Ranga on Sunday claimed that Shaheed (Martyr) Noor Hossain was addicted to drugs like Yaba pills and cough syrup Phensedyl. They also demanded unconditional apology for calling Hossain a drug addict.
Parliamentarian Asim Kumar described Noor Hossain as a milestone in the movement for democracy. He also said that the structure of the democratic movement was strengthened for Noor Hussain.
Former student leader and present Awami League joint general secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak said, "It seems that Mashiur Rahman Ranga's statement about Shaheed Noor Hossain is baseless, unbalanced and ugly."Otherwise, the top leader of a party cannot make such a statement about Noor Hussain. He must withdraw his remarks and seek forgiveness.”
Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, who had played an active role in the anti-Ershad movement in 1990 said, “I think Rangan should apologize at once, otherwise the common people of this country will take action if he fails to do so.”
Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif said, "This is a shameless statement. Noor Hossain was not only an activist of the Jubo League, he was a symbol of democracy in Bangladesh. “Such a statement about Noor Hussain is very sad, shameful. Ranga should apologize for this statement, apologize to the nation.”
The Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader paid tribute to Shahid Noor Hossain with flowers at 9:30 am. Remembering Noor Hossain at the time, Obaidul Quader said that blood for democracy in the country which Noor Hossain gave during the anti-autocratic government movement, was strengthen of democracy and Jatiya Party chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad was forced to quit.
Meanwhile, when all political parties celebrated November 7 as Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, Jatiya Party celebrated it as a democracy day. Party general secretary Mashiur Rahman Ranga mentioned on Sunday referring to Shaheed Noor Hossain as a drug addict. He also demanded that Ershad was not a dictator or a military ruler.
The members of the Noor Hossain’s family also protested in front of National Press Club on Tuesday demanding immediate apology and withdrawal of his remarks.
Under pressure the JP General Secretary Mashiur Rahman Ranga offered an unconditional apology to the nation through the media on Tuesday.
Ranga apologized for his controversial statement to the nation on Tuesday saying that the remarks he had made came out involuntarily from his mouth while delivering a speech.
