The remarks made by three persons known as pro BNP intellectuals has created a strong resentment in the rank and Ole of BNP and its front organisations

Sources said party BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia reacted to the remarks of Dhaka University teacher Prof Aftab Ahmed. Dr Mahbubullah and Journalist Glas Kama) Chowdhury and instructed the party Secretary General to issue a statement against their comments.

She also instructed party leaders not to Invite them in any function of BNP and its front organisations. the sources said.

These three persons, known as advisors to BNP hardliners, at a discussion meeting held at the Jatiya Press Club in the city on December 9 made adverse comments on the War of Liberation, the National Anthem, late President Ziaur Rahman and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The meeting was organised by the "Shata Nagarik Committee'.

According to press reports. Glas Kamal had said that Ziaur Rahman established the Shishu Park to erase the sign of Pakistani generals' defeat". He also claimed that he differed with Khaleda Zia on different issues.

Prof Aftab in his speech stressed the need for changing the National Anthem because the song composed by Rabindranath Tagore does not reflect the hopes and aspirations of the nation. Dr

Mahbubullah termed Khaleda Zia "half-educated and lacking maturity

Party sources said the hardliners have been trying to turn the BNP into mi "extreme right-wing party In line with Jamaat-e-Islaml and make it a camp of anti-liberal ton and pro-Pakistani elements. They are trying to place their men in key posts in BNP and its front organisations, the sources claimed.

The sources said party activists at different levels have also demanded of the leadership to declare the three persons persona non grata in BNP.

Many DU teachers complained to the BNP leadership that Dr Mahbubullah and Dr Aftab are responsible for defeat of the White Panel In the Dhaka University Teachers Association.

The sources said the BNP leadership has Informally instructed party leaders and activists at different levels not to allow them into offices of BNP and its front organisations.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan in a statement yesterday protested the remarks made by Glas Kamal Chow'dhury and Prof Aftab Ahmed.

Bhuiyan said Gias Kamal Chowdhury s remarks against’ late President Ziaur Rahman are "false, baseless, motivated and nothing but utterances by a mental patient" By making such remarks Gias Kanial Chowdhury distorted the history of War of Liberation. Language Movement and the role of Ziaur rahman and Khaleda Zia.

In another statement Bhuyan said Prof Aftab s remarks against the National Anthem is "imprudent and unacceptable".

He said some newspapers are trying to identify Dr Aftab as a pro-BNP intellectual and his speech as BNPs views, which are not true.

Aftab's remarks about the National Anthem are his own views, he said and called upon the people not to be misled by those.

Bhuiyan also condemned government's "propaganda" against Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia centring the remarks of the three persons.

BSS adds: The Dhaka University Syndicate will meet tomorrow afternoon to take a decision against a Prof. Aftab Uddin ahmed a faculty member of the Political Science Department for his audacious" comment against the National Anthem.

The Syndicate will discuss the Issue at a meeting at the official residence of the Vice-Chancellor .

1 Can't take any decision alone against him. So J will draw (Tie attention of the members of the Syndicate, the highest declslons-making body. The Syndicate will take the ultimate decision," Vice-Chancellor Professor AK Azad Chowdhury told BSS last night.