Jamaat’s silence on Jamuka bill shows acceptance of anti-Liberation role: Law minister
He mentions NCP’s written support for Jamuka bill.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman yesterday (29 April) said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had, in effect, accepted its historical role as an "anti-Liberation force" by not opposing the definition of Bir Muktijoddha (Valiant Freedom Fighter) in the amended Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) Bill.
He made the remarks while participating in the thanksgiving motion on the president's speech in Parliament.
Referring to the Jamuka Bill, the minister said the law clearly defines freedom fighters as those who resisted the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators, naming the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakars.
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"Jamaat did not effectively oppose this law in Parliament. In fact, support was provided in writing on behalf of the NCP. I thank them for this. By operation of law and interpretation, it is now established who opposed the Liberation War in 1971 and who was involved in murder, forced disappearances and rape," he said.
Asaduzzaman said he envisions the current parliament, formed after the July mass uprising, working to advance the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 pro-democracy movement and the 2024 mass uprising.
However, he expressed dissatisfaction over a leaflet distributed by the 11-party alliance on proposed reforms, saying it did not mention the "July Charter," which, he claimed, was signed by 33 political parties.
"In this parliament, we want to focus on the country's development and future. Instead, we are discussing four questions for a referendum. The BNP had no objection to three and a half of those questions," he said, describing the remaining portion as a mix of "half-truth and deception."
Recalling past election campaigns, the minister also referred to what he described as earlier claims of some groups "selling tickets to heaven," questioning their credibility.
"If those claims were false, then they are admitting they are not the custodians of such tickets," he said.
He further criticised what he termed the occasional "lack of vitality" in past parliaments, saying the House had at times been boycotted or faced unnecessary tensions without logical justification.
