'Tantamount to denying historical realities': Jamaat slams energy minister's remarks on 'Inquilab Zindabad'

The Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern, condemnation and protest over remarks made by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud regarding the slogan "Inquilab Zindabad."

In a statement issued today (22 February), Jamaat's assistant secretary general and head of the party's central publicity and media department, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, criticised the minister's comments.

He said, "The remarks made by the minister for power, energy and mineral resources about the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad' at an International Mother Language Day discussion were not only inappropriate but also tantamount to denying historical realities, linguistics and the aspirations of the people."

"Although the word 'Inquilab' has Arabic roots, it has been used for decades in the subcontinent's independence movement, anti-autocracy struggles and movements to establish people's rights. Language is not confined within narrow boundaries; it is enriched, evolves and attains its own character through public use," Zubair said.

He continued, "The Bengali language itself has evolved into its present form by incorporating words from Tadbhava, Tatsama, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese and English, among many others.

"Therefore, labelling a word as 'anti-Bengali' based on its origin contradicts the fundamental principles of linguistics. Creating division over language and attempting to split the nation is not expected from a responsible person," Zubair said.

"We want to clearly state that 'Inquilab Zindabad' is not an exclusive slogan of any particular group; it symbolises protest against oppression, injustice and authoritarian rule. When students and citizens rise against injustice, constructing linguistic arguments to silence them goes against democratic values," he added.

"The minister said that when this slogan is chanted, it causes him 'bleeding.' Yet the deprivation of people's rights, criminal acts such as extortion, land grabbing, and tender manipulation, bribery and corruption, rising commodity prices, irregularities in the power and energy sectors, and growing inequality in the country do not cause any bleeding in your heart. 

"Are these not enough to cause bleeding in your heart? In fact, these are sufficient to make the nation's heart bleed."

He added, "But such matters do not reach the hearts of people like you. The people expect the government to take effective steps to alleviate public suffering rather than blaming the language of legitimate protest."

"Jamaat believes that the Bengali language is our pride and a core foundation of our identity. It encompasses a multidimensional vocabulary shaped by historical experiences. We urge all concerned to refrain from attempts to divide the nation over any word or slogan," Zubair said.

"At the same time, we demand the immediate withdrawal of the minister's remarks. Otherwise, the people will give an appropriate response," he added.