What was Jamaat's role in Liberation War? Asks Rizvi
“I want to tell that Islamist political party: What was your role during 1971? In which sector did you fight, under which commander?” he said addressing Jamaat
Taking a jibe at Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman's remark that his party is one of the two true patriot forces in the country, senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (2 January) questioned what role Jamaat played during the Liberation War in 1971.
"A political party said they and the army are the [only] patriots. The army is undoubtedly patriotic, as their predecessors fought with their lives to build this Bangladesh. One of the most prominent of them was Ziaur Rahman, who made the declaration of independence. The army also played a prominent role in the popular uprising of 2024," Rizvi said.
"I want to tell that Islamist political party: What was your role during 1971? In which sector did you fight, under which commander?" he said addressing Jamaat.
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"There are no patriots in the country except only one political party – people will laugh at such confusing statements, nothing else," added Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of BNP.
The senior joint secretary general of BNP made the remarks at a programme where he, on behalf of the party, handed over gifts to the family of Iqbal Hossain Emon, who claimed the Player of the Tournament and Player of the Finals for his stunning performance that helped the Bangladesh team to win the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2024.
Speaking on the occasion, Rizvi also criticised the lack of a chapter on the Liberation War containing the history from the declaration of independence in the newly distributed school textbooks.
He, however, praised the attempt to portray the "true history" in the books by including chapters on Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Ziaur Rahman.
"But why isn't there a chapter covering the history from the declaration of independence?" he said.
Nation won't accept lessons from those who opposed Liberation War: Gayeshwar
In another party event in Keraniganj, BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy stated the nation will not accept lessons from those who opposed the Liberation War.
"The people of this country have the power to resist those who, in collaboration with the forces defeated in the 1971 Liberation War and the subsequent November 7, 1975, conspire against the nationalist forces.
"The nation is not ready to hear their lectures," he added.
Addressing the need for state reforms, Gayeshwar said, "We also want reforms, which is why we presented a 31-point agenda. However, what others [referring to Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jatiya Nagorik Committee] are proposing, we have already achieved in some form.
"Their proposals exclude the significance of the Liberation War."
He criticised those associated with the anti-Liberation War stance of 1971, claiming they now attempt to suggest that the country became independent on 5 August 2024.
"Did cattle and goats shed blood for the Liberation War, or was it the people? The nation will not accept lessons from those who opposed the Liberation War."
