‘1971 Efforts to eradicate the memories of the liberation struggle from the public mind, Khaleda Jia’s party leader made serious allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday (August 8, 2025) made a serious accusation of the radical Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami of trying to eradicate the memories of the country’s 1971 liberation struggle. According to local media reports, BNP also said that Jamaat is using the PR system to delay the upcoming general elections.

In a discussion on the ‘anniversary of the public the anniversary, fundamental reform and national parliamentary elections’ held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, Major (retired) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP’s Standing Committee, said, “The people of the country do not understand the PR system. Therefore, it is necessary that national elections should be held under the current system.” He also said that people are surprised to hear the statements given by Jamaat.

What did BNP leader Hafizuddin say?
Expressing concern about the upcoming national elections, Hafizuddin said, “It is difficult to conduct peaceful elections with this police system, which has not improved in the last one year.” Last week too, he regretted that a political party, which opposed the liberation struggle of Bangladesh, is now trying to claim that the country made a mistake in 1971.

He said in a sharp tone, “In any country of the world, non-elected people do not change the constitution, who made a constitution with their blood in 1972, how can they hear about changing it today? This party says that Bangladesh was a wandering country and he made a mistake in 1971.” Although he did not name the party, it was clearly pointed to Jamaat-e-Islami.

‘Jamaat should apologize for his role in 1971’
Earlier this year, Hafizuddin expressed disappointment over the attitude of the Jamaat. He had said that Jamaat tried to justify him instead of publicly apologizing for his role in 1971. During the 1971 liberation struggle, Jamaat supported Pakistan and many of its leaders were accused of being involved in war crimes.

After coming to power last year, the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus lifted the ban on Jamaat and its student unit Islamic student Shibir through a gazette. Also, in June, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh restored the registration of Jamaat, which gave it a way to participate in the upcoming general elections.

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