Dhaka: Strongly condemning the removal of its founder Ziaur Rahman’s Independence Award (Swadhinata Padak) from the National Museum, BNP on Thursday announced a countrywide demonstration programme for 10 September (Saturday) to protest the government’s decision.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir declared the programme at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

He said the programme will be observed at all district towns and divisional cities of the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Swadhinata Padak conferred on Ziaur Rahman was removed from the National Museum apparently following a decision of the government to revoke it.

Dr Swapan Kumar Biswas, keeper of History and Classical Art department of the National Museum, said they removed Zia’s medal and citation of the Swadhinata Padak from the Museum following a directive of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

The BNP-led government conferred the Swadhinata Padak on both Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman (posthumously) in 2003.

A cabinet committee on national award recently recommended revoking Ziaur Rahman’s Swadhinata Padak.