The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government has criticized the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami for its actions during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking during a parliamentary discussion, urged Jamaat to apologize for opposing Bangladesh’s independence. He emphasized that acknowledging their role in the war would make their political path easier in the country.
Fakhrul highlighted that Jamaat’s failure to apologize for its actions in 1971 has led to ongoing issues. He mentioned that Jamaat’s leader Golam Azam had previously stated that they did not make a mistake during the war. The government urged Jamaat to reconsider its position and clarify its stance on Bangladesh’s independence for the nation’s benefit.
The Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed also questioned Jamaat’s role in the Liberation War and its status as a religious party. Ahmed emphasized the importance of recognizing Jamaat’s opposition to the war, as stated in the National Freedom Fighters Council Act. He raised concerns about Jamaat’s historical involvement with the Pakistani military ruler during the conflict.
A report highlighted the refusal of Jamaat to offer a clear, unconditional apology for its actions during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. It described this refusal as an ongoing act of obfuscation and a deliberate historical failure. The report emphasized that Jamaat’s support for the Pakistani military regime in 1971 was not just a past event but a significant part of its political legacy.
