DHAKA: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed today openly questioned the role of Jamaat-e-Islami during the 1971 Liberation War, challenging the claims made by Jamaat about their patriotic contributions during the conflict. Rizvi posed these questions while presenting a gift to the family of Under-19 Asia Cup winning cricketer Md Iqbal Hasan Emon on behalf of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi’s remarks came in response to recent statements by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who described Jamaat as one of the two “tested patriotic forces” in the country, alongside the military. Rizvi criticized these claims, asserting that such statements could only provoke ridicule among the public. He emphasized the patriotic role played by the Bangladesh Army, highlighting figures like Major Ziaur Rahman, who declared independence and played a significant role in the Liberation War, as well as their contributions to the mass uprising of 2024.
Rizvi also addressed the issue of textbook corrections, stating that authorities have attempted to accurately represent historical events. He affirmed that the BNP supports the inclusion of a chapter on notable national figures such as Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, and Ziaur Rahman. Rizvi insisted that the history of the Liberation War should encompass the proclamation of independence and the activities of the exile government, stressing Ziaur Rahman’s pivotal role in declaring and actively participating in the war.
He further commented on the broader context of the Liberation War, acknowledging Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s contributions to the autonomy movement, which laid the groundwork for independence. However, he argued that it was Ziaur Rahman who made the significant declaration of war, which continued for nine months, and that this should be thoroughly documented in the nation’s history.
The event was chaired by Amra BNP Paribar convener Atiqur Rahman and attended by BNP Standing Committee Member Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, BNP National Executive Committee Organizing Secretary GK Gaus, Assistant Organizing Secretary Miftah Siddiqui, and National Executive Committee member Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, among others.