Bangladesh saw how Jamaat killed people, dishonoured women in 1971

Bangla Press Desk:  BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday strongly criticised Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for what he called spreading propaganda against BNP “in the same fascist tone as the Awami League”, declaring that the people of Bangladesh “saw in 1971 how Jamaat killed lakhs of people and dishonoured women for political gains”.

Speaking virtually from London during a programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka, Tarique warned that the country stands at a dangerous crossroads, with difficult days ahead despite ongoing efforts to counter “conspiracies” against democracy.

He said, “The country is going through a difficult time. Even if these conspiracies are thwarted, tougher challenges lie ahead, and democracy remains the only real defence.”

Referring to Jamaat’s ongoing political campaign ahead of the expected February general election, he added, “Those who say, ‘Look at us now’, must remember that the people say, ‘We saw you in 1971 and what you did to our mothers and sisters.’”

Tarique made the remarks while inaugurating BNP’s seven-day Plan for Nation Building programme organised to mark the Victory Month.

He also accused Jamaat of misleading religious voters by allegedly “selling tickets to heaven” and said such claims amounted to shirk, as “only Allah has the authority to decide who will go to heaven or hell”.

Tarique urged citizens to recall Jamaat’s alleged atrocities during the Liberation War and called on Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists to go door-to-door explaining that spreading or believing such religious falsehoods was also shirk.

He noted that two senior Jamaat leaders who served as ministers during BNP’s tenure had retained their trust in then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia until their final days.

BNP to tighten grip on corruption, lawlessness

Tarique said the country’s future depends on an uncompromising campaign against corruption and lawlessness, portraying BNP as the only force capable of reversing what he described as years of authoritarian damage by the “defeated Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League”.

He stressed the need for a proper national framework, saying, “The reins must be held tight on corruption and the breakdown of law and order if BNP comes to power. Otherwise, the country will incur a huge loss.”

Although he claimed the people had “driven the fascist forces out”, he said vital sectors such as law and order, education, and agriculture had already been severely damaged.

He reaffirmed BNP’s pledge to accept whatever verdict the people deliver in the upcoming election.

BNP wants election in two months

Tarique urged party members to work unitedly as BNP seeks to ensure the 13th parliamentary election is held “in a democratic manner just after two months, defying all conspiracies”.

“A multi-dimensional conspiracy is being hatched everywhere,” he warned, stressing that a democratic transition was essential to safeguard the country.

Certain quarter trying to divide nation on religious lines: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country was in a transitional phase as “a certain political party” was attempting to divide the nation in the name of religion—an indirect reference to Jamaat.

“We are a religious people, and we follow our faiths. But BNP does not believe in the politics of splitting the nation on the pretext of religion,” he said at the KIB event. Fakhrul cautioned against continued conspiracies targeting BNP ahead of the election and called on JCD activists to act as the vanguard against misinformation.

The event was chaired by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

BP/TD