With the slogan "Jatir Pitar Samman, Rakhbo Mora Omlan" (We will uphold the dignity of the Father of the Nation), officials of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) cadre services staged nationwide protest rallies against the vandalism of an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Kushtia.

Officials of non-cadre services also joined the rallies on Saturday.

Government officials vowed to uphold the dignity of Father of the Nation, as they will not allow anyone to defame the architect of independent Bangladesh.

Under the banner of 'Government Officers Forum', a rally was held centrally at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

"We are taking pledge that we will not allow anyone to dishonour the Father of the Nation in our life," the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus said while presiding over the rally.

"We are determined to keep intact the dignity of Bangabandhu. We will always remain united to resist any evil attempts against the country's development and progress as like as we did today," he added.

Local Government Division (LGD) Senior Secretary and Bangladesh Administrative Service Association President Helal Uddin Ahmed said the anti-liberation forces were still conspiring against the country even during the period of 50th anniversary of the country's independence.

"All of our emotions and feelings remain attached with the name of Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu is the symbol of our national unity."

Helal Uddin also said Bangladesh is marching ahead in an indomitable pace under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but the anti-liberation forces can't accept the country's development.

Speaking on the occasion, Inspector General of Banglades Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed said any sorts of attack against the country and the state will be dealt with an iron hand as per the laws.

"We become speechless to condemn the heinous act of carrying out an attack on the sepulture of Bangabandhu in the dark night," Benazir said.

"We are witnessing that when the country is going ahead under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, evil attempts are being carried out repeatedly to push the country backward."

He said the attack on the Bangabandhu sculpture is tantamount to an attack on the country's constitution and attack on the state.

(IANS)