Democracy freed with release of Sheikh Hasina: Hasan
Sheikh Hasina is not only AL president or Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she is an exemplary leader before the world for her foresighted leadership

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said captive democracy was freed through the release of daughter of democracy Awami League President and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from prison on June 11, 2008.
"June 11 is not only Sheikh Hasina's release day, it is also the day of release of democracy," he told a meeting at AL president's political office in city's Dhanmondi.
The meeting was held marking the 11th anniversary of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's release from prison.
AL presidium members Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman and joint general secretary AFM Bahuddin Nasim, among others, addressed the meeting.
Earlier, special Doa Mahfil was held seeking good health and long life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
The meeting was held very briefly maintaining the social distancing due to pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.
A munajat was also offered praying for eternal peace of the departed souls, who died of COVID 19 till date, and wished for early recovery of the Corona affected people.
Hasan said, on this day in 2008, Sheikh Hasina was released from the special sub-jail after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.
The then military-backed government was forced to release the then AL President Sheikh Hasina by the AL leaders and activists, he added.
The information minister said Bangabandhu's worthy daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fought for democracy in her whole life to realize the rights of masses. So, June 11 is not only Sheikh Hasina's release day but also the day of release of democracy, said Hasan, also AL joint general secretary.
He said, "Now, the country is moving ahead indomitably to fulfil the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
He said Sheikh Hasina is not only AL president or Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she is an exemplary leader before the world for her foresighted leadership. She (Sheikh Hasina) is now the icon of development and progress, Hasan said.
The information minister prayed for good health and long life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In his speech, Nanak said, on this day in 2008, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was released from the special sub-jail after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.
He said the AL president was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi on July 16, 2007, during the rule of the military-backed caretaker government, which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007.
He said conceding to the people's spontaneous and repeated demands and pressure from different quarters, the caretaker government was compelled to release AL President Sheikh Hasina from jail.
Abdur Rahman said in the national election of December 29 in 2008, the Awami League-led grand alliance registered a landslide victory and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina became the Prime Minister.
He urged AL leaders and activists to be united and alert against all conspiracies.
Organizing secretaries Mirza Azam, BM Mozammel Haque and SM Kamal Hossain, health affairs secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana and deputy publicity secretary Sayem Khan, among others, were present.