True independence not achieved in '71, 'second liberation' came in '24: Jamaat's Parwar
To those who claim to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War, I would say that you had actually made agreements to sell the country to Delhi for political interests. True independence was not achieved
Bangladesh did not achieve true independence in 1971, but rather the mass uprising of 2024 brought the "second liberation" for the country, Mia Golam Parwar, the secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said today (26 March).
"To those who claim to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War, I would say that you had actually made agreements to sell the country to Delhi for political interests. True independence was not achieved," the Jamaat leader said as quoted by BBC Bangla.
"Millions of people in Bangladesh have declared the 2024 mass uprising as our second independence," he added.
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Parwar was speaking at a discussion organised by Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat-e-Islami on the occasion of Independence Day.
The Jamaat leader further said the party loves the country and its independence due to its ideological principles.
Alleging that attempts are being made to discredit Jamaat by revisiting settled issues from 1971, he said, "After 54 years, those who constantly remind people not to forget 1971 were themselves responsible for appointing 12 to 13 anti-liberation figures as presidents, ministers, and MPs while in power."
Meanwhile, speaking at the National Memorial today, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said those who are terming July uprising as a second independence are trying to demean today's Independence Day.
"There is no such thing as second independence. I would suggest everyone not to make any such claims," he added.
In response to Mirza Abbas' comment, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam stated that the independence of 1971 and 2024 are not contradictory.
"We believe that 1971 and 2024 are not separate events. Rather, the mass uprising of 2024 has revived the spirit of 1971," Nahid said while talking to journalists after placing wreaths at the National Memorial.
However, Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said, "We believe that '24 [July uprising] has preserved the 1971 independence, and through yet another bloody mass uprising, we have safeguarded the hard-earned freedom of '71."
"One of the critical steps in this struggle was '24. This independence will continue in Bangladesh in the days ahead, and never again will the people of this free land feel subjugated," he added.
Parwar slams BNP for calling them 'anti-liberation'
Referring to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Parwar said, "Those who call Jamaat anti-liberation should remember that many of their own fathers were Razakars. The people of Bangladesh know which political leaders were truly anti-liberation.
"Those who now speak in the language of fascist Awami League have themselves appointed so-called anti-liberation figures as MPs, ministers, and even the president," he added as quoted by Samakal.
The Jamaat leader also accused BNP of hypocrisy, stating, "When Jamaat is with them, we are allies. When we are not, they call us extremists."
He said, "Before criticising Jamaat, they [BNP] should acknowledge our contributions. They couldn't form a government or lead any movement against the Awami League without our support. How many of their [BNP] leaders suffered in anti-government protests? Jamaat's activists have endured beatings, shed blood, and made sacrifices on the streets."
Criticising India, Parwar accused the country of attempting to discredit Bangladesh's armed forces through conspiracies and misinformation. "Once necessary reforms are completed, the government will hold elections, and Jamaat is ready to participate."
