Zia became member of BKSAL after submitting application: Minister Mozammel Huq

BNP leaders are always critical of BKSAL, but the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman became its member after submitting an application, according to Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 18 March 2019, 08:14 PM
Updated : 18 March 2019, 09:30 PM

The senior cabinet member recalled the 1975 incident in bdnews24.com’s Toufique Imrose Khalidi LIVE on Monday night.

“He (Zia) became a member of BKSAL by submitting an application while the army chief and others became members automatically. 

“In his application, he said he wanted the opportunity to serve. But a month after the assassination of Bangabandhu, he said BKSAL is a swear word,” the minister said.

The Father of the Nation President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in June 1975 formed Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League or BKSAL, banning all other parties in a desperate bid to pull the country out of chaos.

But he was assassinated along with most other members of his family on Aug 15 the same year. Soon after the massacre, army officer Zia emerged at the centre of power.

bdnews24.com invited Minister Huq to the programme hosted by Editor-in-Chief Khalidi ahead of the 48th anniversary of independence.

Tuesday marks the 48th anniversary of the first armed resistance of the Liberation War, of which Mozammel Huq was one of the organisers.

On Mar 19, 1971, he led the battle with Brigadier Jahan Jeb in Gazipur as the convenor of the Armed Resistance Committee. Three Bengalis were martyred in the fight.

Recalling the moments of the start of the first armed resistance, Huq said, “It’s a matter of personal pride for me. It’s a matter of pride for the nation as well. Others might have built resistance, but not with arms in this manner.”

The freedom fighter Huq has been honoured with the Independence Award, the highest civilian award of the state, this year for the role he played in the war of independence from Pakistan.

The veteran politician believes Zia had no interest in religious practices despite being a backer of religion-based politics.

“There was no mosque at the cantonment (in Joydebpur). Everyone had to offer prayers at the Joydebpur Bazar Mosque. He (Zia) had been there perhaps for three years, but I had not seen him in prayers for a single day. I don’t know if anyone else had seen him,” Huq said.    

“I am saying this with responsibility,” he said when asked by Khalidi to clarify.

The Liberation War affairs minister also criticised the BNP for its claim that Zia had introduced multiparty democracy to Bangladesh.

“He in fact ensured the Jamaat-e-Islami’s right to do politics. This is what his so-called multiparty democracy is,” Huq said. 

“And the ideology he followed to rule the country is based on religion,” he added.

The minister, responding to another question from Khalidi, said Zia was “disgusted” with elected politicians.   

“Our enemies, the Pakistanis, were marked at the time. We could identify them easily. Now, we cannot recognise the enemies. We must identify those people, even if the number is one, who stand against the Liberation War spirit…They can be identified by their activities,” he said.

The Liberation War affairs minister said even the number of martyrs of 1971 is put to debate now to undermine the liberation war.

“Has anyone come up with the statistic of how many people lost their lives in the World War II? Won’t it be enough even if, let’s say, 100,000 people died?” he asked. 

Speaking about global recognition of the 1971 genocide, Huq said the Bangladesh missions abroad were trying to get Mar 25 recognised as ‘International Genocide Day’ after the country observes the day as National Genocide Day following a unanimous resolution adopted in parliament. 

“Our diplomatic efforts are under way. It will be put to vote whenever it goes to the United Nations,” he said.

LIST OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS

The minister said an official list of freedom fighters cannot be released as a number of cases over the list are pending in court.

“Many of those who know they are going to be dropped have moved the court,” he said. 

He blamed the BNP for the delay. The party did not follow rules, according to him, to give freedom fighter certificates with clearance of the National Freedom Fighter Council when it was in power.

The government will also make a list of Razakars, the Bengalis who collaborated with the Pakistani army during the war, Huq said.

“The demand has been raised in parliament.”

Toufique Khalidi asked him if he thought he will be able to make the list in the next five years during which time he will be in charge of this ministry.  

“I am hopeful that I will complete the job,” Mozammel Huq replied confidently.

“So you are giving hope that you will do it?” Khalidi asked again.

“God willing, I will do it. I have made the promise in parliament as well. I will also make a list of anti-independence people,” the minister reiterated. 

JAMAAT AND BANGABANDHU’S KILLERS

Huq believes no political party like the Jamaat has the right to do politics in a country after directly opposing its independence.

“I think they must be banned. I’ve demanded in parliament confiscation of their (war criminals’) assets. The process to confiscate their assets is under way,” he said.    

Referring to critics of the move, who claim no-one should be punished for their ancestors’ crimes, the minister said: “We are confiscating assets of the people who committed crimes, not the assets of their children.”

The minister thinks those who harboured the killers of Bangabandhu should face trial as well.

“The self-confessed killers, who opened fire (on Bangabandhu) have been tried. But those who harboured them (the killers) have not been brought to justice.   

“We’ve tried those who fired the shots, but not those who provoked the killing. The American embassy was open overnight. Shouldn’t we find out why?” he asked.

Huq also said the government was confident about its “strong position and political capability” in the international arena to bring back the convicted but absconding killers of Bangabandhu from abroad.

“God willing, we will be able to do it,” he said.