Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged his party men to read some books on the Liberation War and Bangabandhu's 'Unfinished Memoirs' to know how Awami League leaders are spreading lies.

Speaking at a discussion, he also alleged that the ruling party is carrying out a false campaign belittling BNP founder Ziaur Rahman as part of its efforts to brand him as a villain.

“I would like to urge our party men and the new generation to read some books, including Muldhara Ekattar, Liberation War of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu's 'Unfinished Memoirs', to know how the Awami League leaders are lying and how their comments are blunt,” he said.

Zia Smriti Pathagar organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), marking its 4th founding anniversary.

Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders are saying Zia was not a freedom fighter and he had a role in Bangabandhu murder only to malign him. “There’s a false campaign everywhere with an aim to eliminate Bangladeshi nationalism.”

He, however, warned that no one will be able to make Zia a villain as the country’s 90 percent people believe in Bangladeshi nationalism.

The BNP leader alleged that the government is now creating obstacles to publishing books on Bangladeshi nationalism. “It’s also blocking publishers to keep such books at Ekushey Book Fair. It’s an alarming matter.”

He said the authorities are also obstructing taking books against Awami League’s thoughts and books on alternative opinions to the book fair.

“So, where is the difference between Pakistani occupation forces and Awami League? They (Pakistanis) had used to suppress our views and alternative opinions. Awami League is also doing the same,” he observed.

Fakhrul said when anyone expresses alternative opinions or any thoughts against Awami league they are being branded as anti-Bangladeshi elements. “This is called fascism.”