Only those blinded by conventional party politics could do this: Porwar on tearing of Jinnah's photos

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has said that only people who are "blinded by conventional party politics" could tear up photographs of Pakistan's first governor-general Muhammad Ali Jinnah displayed at the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) archive.

He made the remarks yesterday (14 September) in response to an incident in which student Abu Toiyob Habildar tore up three photographs of Jinnah from the Ducsu archive in protest.

The student told reporters that Jinnah, who had opposed the Bengali language, and ordered the arrest of students at Dhaka University's Curzon Hall in 1948, should not have a place in Ducsu.

Asked about the incident after a programme in the capital, Golam Porwar said, "We have learned about it. Those who do not know the political history of Bangladesh, who do not know what lies behind the birth of Bangladesh, and who are ignorant of the contributions of those who fought to liberate this land can behave in this way. Only those blinded by conventional party politics can do such things."

He said the historical context of the movement led by Jinnah and his contributions needed to be understood.

"Everyone patriotic in this land was involved with the movement he led and the things he spoke about. One needs to know these histories. If there is immaturity in politics, many actions and responsibilities can become questionable to people," he said.

Golam Porwar was speaking to journalists after attending a Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) conference organised by the National Doctors Forum Dhaka South unit at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail last afternoon.

'Some in govt jealous over peaceful long march'

The Jamaat leader also alleged that some people in the government had become "jealous" because the opposition party's long march was peaceful.

He said the government had expected the long march to involve violence, vandalism, arson and sabotage, and had made statements intended to provoke participants.

"The opposition will not fall into any provocation," he said.

Asked about the opposition's long march, Golam Porwar said there would have been no need for the programme if the government had accepted the opposition's demands.

He described long marches as a recognised political programme in a democratic society, saying Jamaat had previously joined BNP-led long marches when the current prime minister's mother, Khaleda Zia, was in opposition.

"Why a long march is needed and when it is needed cannot be understood when one is in government. It becomes clear only when one is in opposition," he said.

He also criticised the prime minister's remark that the government would have taken the same route if the issue could have been resolved through a long march.

"Such a statement is not appropriate from his position. The opposition did not take the statement well, and the people also did not consider it appropriate," he said.

Golam Porwar said the opposition's long march towards Rangpur would remain peaceful and called on the government, police administration and political parties to cooperate with the programme.

He said they expected cooperation to ensure that the long march remained peaceful, as it had been previously.

Mufti Mahmudul Hasan was the chief discussant at the conference, chaired by Maruf Shahriar, president of the National Doctors Forum's Dhaka South unit.

Jamaat's Dhaka South Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud and NDF Secretary Mahmud Hossain also addressed the event.