Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has declared that the current government is committed to ensuring that no crime against humanity in the country will be allowed to become time-barred or forgotten. Swapon made this statement during the unveiling ceremony of the memorial book ‘Shahidnama’ at the National Museum auditorium in Shahbagh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Swapon emphasized the government’s dedication to justice for atrocities ranging from the 1971 Liberation War genocide to the 2013 Shapla Square killings. The government led by Tarique Rahman is resolute in addressing these crimes. The event, organized by Shapla Smriti Sangsad, also featured a documentary screening and an award distribution ceremony.
Swapon highlighted the painful memories of the Shapla Square incident and noted that the current National Parliament paid formal respect to the martyrs in its first session. This act was intended to signal the government’s commitment to accountability for injustices and brutality.
Reflecting on the events of May 5, 2013, Swapon recalled how the then government suppressed the religious movement and manipulated media narratives while BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia supported the rally. Swapon credited the BNP for being the first political party to label the incident a ‘mass killing’ and organizing a two-day protest.
The Minister also referenced the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, as evidence of widespread societal resistance against fascism. He stressed the importance of preserving national unity based on religious values, patriotism, and self-reliance as a means to protect sovereignty.
Concluding his speech, Swapon underscored the need to fulfill the nation’s responsibility to the martyrs by maintaining unity on fundamental issues. The event was chaired by Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar as a special guest. Several other notable figures, including Member of Parliament Kamruzzaman Ratan and prominent Islamic scholar Shaykh Musa Al Hafiz, also spoke.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha