Children of martyred intellectuals accuse BNP chief Khaleda Zia of trying to mislead new generation

The execution of war criminals might bring some solace to the children of martyred intellectuals, but many of them are still “carrying the pain of the repression.”

They are of the view that by casting doubt on the number of people who attained martyrdom during the Liberation War, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was actually trying to ‘mislead’ the younger generation.

Martyred intellectual Shahidullah Kaiser’s daughter Shomi Kaiser, martyred journalist Selina Parvin’s son Sumon Zahid and Siraj Uddin’s son Tauhid Reza Nur made the observation at a discussion in the auditorium of the National Library on Friday.

Staring at defeat in the 1971 Liberation War, the Pakistan army, with the help of their collaborators, killed the three intellectuals along with many others.

Expressing satisfaction over the execution of war criminals like Mujahid for the murder of intellectuals, Shomi Kaiser said, “This year, the morning of December 14 was totally different.”

“I was able to breathe more easily. The feeling cannot be expressed in words... That the war criminals would be tried was once a mere dream.  At that time, there was discontentment and anguish,” she said.

This popular actress of the nineties said that when war criminals became ministers during the BNP-Jamaat regime in the 90s, she had vowed never to narrate stories of the martyrs to anyone.

“There was a time when we, the children of martyrs, could not tell the stories of our parents. We were harassed and assaulted for talking about them.

“Every day was torturous. There was not a day when I didn’t think of my father. I used to think, if father were alive he would have done this... or he would have done that,” Shomi said with a lump in her throat.

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“It was not a crime that I grew up in independent Bangladesh without my father. My father was in jail from the age of 25 to 37,” she said.

Stating that a whole generation of Bangladeshis grew up learning “incorrect history”, she said they should be told the stories of the Liberation War again and again.

She also revealed the family’s plan of publishing a book with the unpublished works of Shahidullah Kaiser.

This December also assumed special significance for Selina Parvin’s son Sumon Zahid when four war criminals were hanged.

“You observe December 14 as a day of mourning, but for us all days are mournful. We, the children of martyrs often think, if they (martyrs) were alive, they would be scolding us, or cuddling with their grandchildren. We have been deprived of such moments, yet we feel proud because we attained freedom through their sacrifices.”

Sumon also expressed dissatisfaction over “party dominance” in the annual memorial programme for the martyred intellectuals.

“On December 14, many demands and slogans are raised....Many posters are put up, but pictures of martyrs are not printed on them,” he said.

“How come Khaleda Zia cast doubt over the number of martyrs 44 years after independence? She is actually trying to mislead the new generation,” he opined.

Martyr Siraj Uddin’s son Tauhid Reza Nur also expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which “Martyr Day” has been observed.

“We go to pay homage to the martyrs on that day and not to draw the attention of the political leaders,” he said.

At the programme he recounted various anecdotes of the days when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his father Siraj Uddin used to study together at Islamia College (now Maulana Azad College), in Kolkata.

Speaking of the BNP chief’s remarks, he said, “Khaleda Zia has realized that their days are numbered. There is no way to survive, other than spreading lies.”

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman Fizar took part in the Liberation War at the age of 19.

“No country paid such a heavy price for freedom.  This country will not accept subjugation by anyone,” he said at the programme.

Remembering the martyrs, the Awami League leader said while going to war no one thought of the consequences.

“Perhaps those who sacrifice more live less,” he observed.

Fizar questioned why Khaleda Zia did not raise doubts over the figure of the martyrs in 1980 or 1990.

“Why didn’t your husband raise the question? It’s only now, when the war criminals are being tried, that you raise these questions,” he said.