BNP not to celebrate Khaleda Zia's b'day on Aug. 15

Stating that the country is passing through crisis like militancy and terrorism, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided not to celebrate party chief Khaleda Zia's birthday on August 15.

"Many BNP leaders are now in jail while people are passing their days amid threats of militant attack. Under these circumstances, Khaleda Zia's birthday celebration this year will be indecorous," Daily star quoted BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as saying.

Reports suggest that leaders and activists of different fronts and associate bodies of the party have also been asked not to gather in front of her house on this occasion.

Awami League leaders, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had previously called upon Khaleda to refrain from celebrating her birthday on August 15, as the nation will be morning the day over the brutal killing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh and is regarded as the Father of the Nation.