Jamaat thinks Bangladeshis have short memories, says BNP’s Hafiz

Hafiz, a freedom fighter, says that Jamaat is trying to rewrite the narrative by downplaying its role in the Liberation War

Recalling the role played by Jamaat-e-Islami during the independence of Pakistan and the struggle for Bangladeshi independence, BNP Nation Standing Committee Member Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that Jamaat has been presenting “new messages” to the nation.

Hafiz, a freedom fighter, spoke at an event on Friday in response to Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Md Taher’s statement criticising the July Proclamation.

The former army officer said, "These Jamaat-e-Islami people said that the emergence of Bangladesh was not presented with great pride in the July Proclamation. They think the people in Bangladesh have a short memory. This party, Jamaat-e-Islami, opposed the emergence of Bangladesh during the struggle in 1971.”

Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb Ameer Taher reacted to the July Proclamation presented to the nation by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on the anniversary of the July Uprising, calling it an incomplete statement.

Taher said, "Although the proclamation talks about a long struggle, it ignored the independence of 1947."

He said, “The proclamation talks about the long struggle and fight, but the Azadi or independence in 1947 has been ignored. It didn’t mention the Pilkhana carnage, Shapla massacre, and (stick and oar) struggle on Oct 28. The role of Islamic scholars, madrasa teachers and students, expatriates, and online activists in the July Uprising was ignored, which is simply an injustice and neglect of history. The nine-point demand was the turning point in the July Uprising, which later turned into a one-point demand. This issue has been avoided as well.”

In reaction to Taher’s statement, Hafiz said: “I’m quite old… I’m 81. Hence, I believe in those days we were mature enough. In 1947, Jamaat opposed the creation of Pakistan, and in 1971, they opposed the great Liberation War. Now they’re issuing new messages.”