Jamaat could have apologized, but instead, they are defending their actions

BNP Standing Committee member Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed stated yesterday that they had hoped Jamaat-e-Islami would seize the opportunity to apologize to the people for its role in 1971. Instead, he said, the party is justifying its actions from that time. “Currently, some are trying to place the concept of a mass uprising above the struggle for freedom. But we can never compare anything to the Liberation War. It will always be supreme, and we will not allow anyone to tarnish its legacy,” he remarked. His comments came at a rally titled "The Liberation War of '71 is the greatest pride of the nation", organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters' Party at the Jatiya Press Club.

He also addressed a recent controversial statement from Jamaat-e-Islami, which claimed that only the military and Jamaat were patriots in the country. “This statement has hurt us,” he said. “The Bangladesh Army fought in the Liberation War, and was built through that struggle. Under the leadership of Maj Ziaur Rahman, soldiers from the East Bengal Regiment and EPR fought for our independence. The army does not need validation from anyone to prove its patriotism. Its role in 1971 and afterward speaks for itself. I’m shocked by Jamaat's statement,” he added.

Hafiz went on to remind that his party had always supported Jamaat when it faced persecution, including during the time when their party was dissolved, and BNP gave them the opportunity to participate in elections under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. “Khaleda Zia even gave them a place in her cabinet,” he said, noting that while many in the BNP disagreed with the decision, they accepted it for the sake of party unity.

He questioned whether this was the appropriate response from Jamaat, and expressed concern that such statements could divide the political unity that has been formed. "They need to be more careful about this in the future," he warned. At the rally, BNP supporters carried placards and chanted anti-Jamaat slogans, with messages like: “Stand up against Jamaat-Shibir” and “Jamaat-Iskcon are in the same business of religious trade.”

The meeting was chaired by Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters' Party President Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, with BNP Chairperson's adviser and former opposition Chief Whip Joynul Abdin Farooq also in attendance.