Ganatantrik Jukta Front demands removal of 'war criminal' Azharul from parliament presidium
The Jukta Front also demanded punitive action against lawmakers who allegedly refused to stand during the national anthem inside parliament, saying such behaviour showed disrespect to the national anthem and the dignity of the state.
The Ganatantrik Jukta Front has demanded the immediate removal of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam from the presidium panel of the 13th parliament.
In a statement today (13 March), the political alliance said Azharul's inclusion in the five-member panel, nominated to conduct parliamentary sessions in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker, not only undermines the dignity of parliament but also insults the martyrs of the Liberation War.
"A person convicted of crimes against humanity and a notorious war criminal like ATM Azharul Islam must be removed immediately from the presidium panel of parliament," reads the statement.
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The alliance also called for the withdrawal of the names of convicted 1971 war criminals from the condolence motion adopted during the first session of the 13th parliament.
It further criticised the proposal of including those names in the motion, saying it was shameful that such a proposal came from the chief whip of the ruling party, which had sought votes from the public by referring to the spirit of the Liberation War.
The Jukta Front also demanded punitive action against lawmakers who allegedly refused to stand during the national anthem inside parliament, saying such behaviour showed disrespect to the national anthem and the dignity of the state.
The statement added that the 2024 July Uprising took place against discrimination and authoritarian rule, not for the rehabilitation of individuals accused of crimes during the Liberation War.
