‘Allah knows who did what in 1971’

Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday demanded that his party’s name be removed from the list of organisations described as forces opposed by freedom fighters during the 1971 Liberation War in the National Freedom Fighters’ Council Act, 2022.

He made the demand in parliament on the 12th day of the first session while speaking on a bill placed by Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Aazam Khan to amend the law.

During his speech, Shafiqur Rahman objected to the definition of “Bir Muktijoddha” in the existing law, which lists the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami and Nezam-e-Islam alongside auxiliary forces of the Pakistani army.

According to the National Freedom Fighters’ Council Act, 2022, a “Bir Muktijoddha” refers to those who took preparation or received training between March 26 and December 16, 1971, either inside the country or in camps in India, and actively fought against the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators, including Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams and certain political organisations.

The definition also recognises members of the armed forces, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police, Mukti Bahini, naval commandos, Ansar members, and those associated with the Mujibnagar government.

Women who suffered atrocities during the war, known as Birangona, as well as doctors, nurses and medical assistants who treated injured freedom fighters in field hospitals, are also recognised under the law.

Objecting to the inclusion of his party’s name, Shafiqur Rahman said such political organisations were not originally listed in the definition after independence.

“The names of the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami and Nezam-e-Islam were not included in the definition by the rulers after independence,” he said.

He added that the provision had not been included during the tenure of former president Ziaur Rahman or later governments.

“This was incorporated into the definition by Sheikh Hasina… and later the interim government maintained that continuity with slight changes,” he alleged.

Referring to the mention of the three parties alongside auxiliary forces of the Pakistani military, he said: “Here the names of three organisations—the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami and Nezam-e-Islam—have been mentioned along with the auxiliary forces of the Pakistani army.”

“Allah knows best who played what role in 1971. We are only partial witnesses, but Allah is the complete witness,” he added.

Calling for a more constructive political environment, the opposition leader said political parties should conduct their activities responsibly and work for the country’s welfare.

“We want all political organisations to work in a healthy political environment. We do not want further division in this nation,” he said.

Paying tribute to those who participated in the country’s historic struggles, he expressed respect for those who fought in both 1947 and the Liberation War in 1971, and prayed for those who died during the war.

Shafiqur Rahman also reflected on the country’s political history, saying people had hoped that an independent Bangladesh would become a humane state where justice would prevail and citizens could live in peace.

However, he said many of those aspirations were not fulfilled.

He also criticised the introduction of one-party rule under the Baksal system, saying multiparty democracy had been abolished at that time.

“At one stage, multiparty democracy was abolished and a one-party system was introduced.

This parliament passed it within seven minutes,” he said, adding that all political parties—including the Awami League—were banned during that period.

He credited the restoration of multiparty democracy to former president Ziaur Rahman, saying political parties regained the right to operate through the Political Parties Revival Act of 1979.

“We also regained that right at that time. We remain grateful and have been conducting our political and organisational activities since 1979 with responsibility and commitment,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, he called for national unity and urged political parties to work together to build a dignified and united Bangladesh.

“I place this matter before this honourable parliament and conclude my speech,” he said.

After his speech, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed informed the House that the National Citizen Party (NCP) had not raised any objection to the bill and had submitted its opinion in writing.

The proposed amendment to the law is currently under consideration in parliament.