Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami MP ATM Azharul Islam on Wednesday questioned the credentials of BNP as a “pro-liberation force.”
Participating in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech in Parliament, he pointed out the chronological gap between the independence of the country and the party’s formation.
“The Liberation War took place in 1971, while the BNP was founded on September 1, 1978. How can the BNP then be called a party of the Liberation War?” Azharul Islam, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer, said.
He noted that while individual freedom fighters exist within the BNP, the same applies to Jamaat. “You can say there are freedom fighters in BNP; similarly, there are freedom fighters in Jamaat-e-Islami too,” he added.
Azharul Islam expressed strong reservations about the current President, labeling him an associate of the “fascist” Awami League regime. “We call the Awami League fascist. How did they get the chance to become fascist? It was through our country’s laws and the direct cooperation of India,” he alleged.
He questioned how he could support a President appointed by a regime he described as a “lackey of In-dian hegemony.”
The Jamaat MP also directed criticism towards the ruling party’s decision to thank the President, ques-tioning if the move was intended to satisfy a particular power or external force.
He also rose asking regarding the BNP’s recent nominations for reserved women’s seats, alleging that a female leader from the Awami League’s Gopalganj unit was given a nomination by the BNP.
“Is this due to your lack of capable leaders, or are you trying to please a certain power to stay in gov-ernment?” Azharul Islam questioned, stating that the public deserves an answer.
He highlighted the rising insecurity among lawmakers and party workers, alleging attacks by BNP activ-ists in various parts of the country.
The Jamaat MP claimed that many workers were being harassed, and even suggested the introduction of “security cards” for protection. “I am not saying this to belittle you, but think about it. We call ourselves patriotic and democratic forces, yet yesterday we MPs cannot move freely,” he said, citing instances where his constituents were reportedly insulted by BNP supporters while performing government duties.
A significant portion of his speech touched upon his personal legal history.
Azharul Islam was previously sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity committed in 1971.
“I was a death-row convict in the Supreme Court. My execution could have happened at any moment,” he stated, crediting the “revolution or uprising” of August 5, 2024, for paving the way for his release and offered prayers for the martyrs of the July movement.
