48 citizens condemn mocking of Liberation War, national anthem
Forty-eight eminent citizens have condemned that, following the overthrow of the Hasina regime in the student-led uprising, a group has been busy mocking the Liberation War and the national anthem.
"We note with deep concern and anger that a communal group motivated by ulterior political motives has launched a campaign designed to show an audacity to question the 1971 Liberation War and even the national anthem," reads a joint press statement of the citizens.
Issued by Shamsul Huda, executive director of the Association for Land Reform and Development, the statement was signed by Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, human rights activist Sultana Kamal, social activist Khushi Kabir, Professor Anu Mohammad, educationist Rasheda K Chowdhury, senior lawyer ZI Khan Panna, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, senior lawyer Subrata Chowdhury, and eminent photographer Shahidul Alam.
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They said everyone should remember that in 1971, lakhs of citizens from all walks of life, including youth, students, farmers, workers, and the armed forces, sacrificed their lives in a nine-month struggle to free Bangladesh.
"This history has been remembered by generations and will continue to be. No one has the right to ask people to forget or diminish it," said the statement, referring to remarks by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman.
Just a few days ago, the Jamaat ameer advised the nation to forget everything from the past, said the citizens, adding it can be assumed that by "the past," he means the history of the Liberation War and his party's role at that time.
By singing the national anthem "Amar Sonar Bangla," freedom fighters took an oath to fight, and many sacrificed their lives or were physically crippled. The anthem was a constant source of motivation for countless fighters, said the statement.
"Thus, the anthem was re-established as the anthem of our lives through the blood of lakhs of martyrs. Questioning it means questioning the Liberation War. The people of this country, regardless of party affiliation, will not accept it," it added.
Responding to former brigadier general Abdullahil Amaan Azmi's demand for changes to the constitution and the national anthem in a statement made during a press conference on 3 September, the signatories to the statement said, "We strongly condemn and protest his targeted, communal, and arrogant remarks."
Dipayan Khisha, a human rights activist and one of the signatories, told The Business Standard, "Bangladesh's Liberation War and the national anthem are settled matters. If anyone tries to question these, the people of the country will rise and protest."
