Ghatak Dalal Nlrmul Committee yesterday handed over Jahanara Imam Memorial Medals for this year and last four years to five distinguished persons and five organisations for their role in upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and in the movement against coin-munallsm and fundamentalism.

The Committee organised a discussion meeting and medal handing over ceremony at the auditorium of Centre for Planning and Development in the city to mark the sixth death anniversary of Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam.

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury handed over the medals to four persons and representatives of five organisations. The medal for litterateur Shawkat Osman (posthumous) was given to his son Yaflz Osman.

Dr Kazi Faruk Ahmed of Proshika was awarded the medal for the year 2000.

Barrister Shaflk Ahmed for 1999, Poet Shamsur Rahman for 1998, Shawkat Osman for 1997 and Justice Debesh Bhattyachariya for 1996.

The organisations which got the medals are: Udlchl for the year of 2000. Projanmo 71' for 1999, Muktljuddha Gabeshana Kendra for 1998. Muktljuddha Jadughar for 1997 and Londonbased television channel Twenty Twenty for 1996. The TV channel was awarded for a documentary film War Crime Files.

Prof Mustafa Nurul Islam gave Jahanara Imam Memorial Lecture. I

Speaking at the discussion] meeting. Nirmul Committee leader Hasan Imam critisised the main opposition BNP for 'using communalism as part of its politics’ He also blamed (he ruling Awami League for often issuing communal statements

Dr Kazi Faruk Ahmed said polnii al leaders are using religion for their political gains.

Barrister Shafiq Ahmed said that the 1972 Constitution has to be restored to put an end to communalism.

Poet Shamsur Rahman said." We are not against religion. rather we are against] communalism and fanatic ism a