Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami must publicly repent and accept political responsibility for opposing the Liberation War, said 32 prominent citizens, who support the Yunus-led regime, on Thursday.
In a statement, they expressed deep concern about the Jamaatโs anti-liberation role and political activities after the August 5 changeover last year.
It said that the Jamaat was the party that opposed the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. The Pakistani ruling class committed indiscriminate genocide, rape, oppression, and eviction when freedom-loving people risked their lives to participate in the war.
Then, Jamaat leaders and activists were active in favour of a united Pakistan. As a party, Jamaat took a stand in favour of genocide starting from March 25. Many of their leaders and activists were accomplices in genocide, eviction, rape, and looting.
The statement said that in the British-ruled Indian subcontinent, Bengali Muslims were forced to choose their own territory at a juncture in history to get rid of the exploitation and deprivation of the landlords and elite class.
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However, in the face of economic exploitation, racist oppression, torture, genocide, and human rights violations by the West Pakistani ruling class, the demand for an independent territory became strong again. In the face of one of the most barbaric genocides and ethnic cleansings in the history of the world, the people of this region, with their infinite courage and self-respect, established the independence of Bangladesh at the cost of much blood, death, honour, and sacrifice.
They further said that history has seen the Jamaat going against the people and holding meetings and campaigns demanding an integral Pakistan.
Even after the barbaric genocide on March 25, Jamaat leaders held a meeting with the Pakistan junta. There is clear evidence that their party leaders and activists joined the razakar, Al-Badr and other forces and collaborated in rape, looting, and genocide during the Liberation War.
The statement further said that after Bangladesh became independent, the Islami Chhatra Sangha changed its name to Islami Chhatra Shibir and started politics.
However, the Jamaat has been doing politics in independent Bangladesh under the same name. They have never apologised or expressed remorse for their role in the Liberation War.
On the contrary, they have tried to prove the Liberation War wrong in various ways.
Criticising the trial of war criminals at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), the signatories demanded a fair and impartial retrial of these cases.
After the fall of the Awami League government, Jamaat and Shibir have been trying to make those historically accused of opposing the Liberation War, genocide, and other charges relevant to politics.
The Pakistani rulers are trying to establish the same narrative that they used to speak in opposition to the Liberation War. When their role in the Liberation War is questioned, they are bringing back the politics of tagging.
Their intentions and activities are in conflict with history and political dishonesty. In the history of the world, there is no example of any political party doing politics freely without regret or apology, even after openly and organizedly opposing the liberation struggle of the people.
Not only that, in the situation after the July Uprising, the Jamaat is also trying to establish the narrative of the Pakistan era by taking advantage of the generosity of the people.
The statement was signed by 32 citizens. They are Azfar Hossain, Raihan Rain, GH Habib, A-Al Mamun, Saima Alam, R. Razi, Saima Khatun, Kajal Shahnewaz, Dr. Maruf Mallick, Rakhal Raha, Souvik Reza, Golam Sarwar, Debashish Chakraborty, Ashfaq Nipun, Mostafa Kamal Palash, Mohammad Nazimuddin, Gazi Tanzia, SK Tasnim Afroz Imi, Tuhin Khan, Parvez Alam, Chinu Kabir, Ferdous Ara Rumi, Bithi Ghosh, Mohammad Romel, Saeed Bari, Mahbub Rahman, Salah Uddin Shuvro, Arbak Aditya, Arif Rahman, Shoaib Mahmud, Astrik Aryu and Sadiq Mahbub Islam.
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