Jatiya Oikya Front Chief Kamal Hossain has spoken of strengthening the unity in the alliance when reporters asked his alliance’s association with the Jamaat-e-Islami, a question that led him to shout at a reporter two days ago.
Published : 16 Dec 2018, 03:19 PM
Kamal drew flak after he made angry comments in response to reporters’ questions about his position on Jamaat, an Islamist party that openly opposed Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom from Pakistan. He told a journalist to ‘shut up’ on Martyred Intellectuals’ Day. He had also threatened the reporter with dire consequences.
He apologised in a statement on Saturday after his reaction drew criticism from journalists’ groups, which asked him to apologise publicly for his ‘misdemeanour.’
Kamal changed his strategy as journalists asked him about his association with the anti-liberation forces after he paid homage at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Sunday.
“If we create unity, we will have to strengthen it. We have earned our independence through a united force; we need a united force to maintain it,” he said.
“The people have the power. That is important in every aspect and it will help us uphold the spirit of independence.”
Kamal headed the committee that designed the constitution of Bangladesh. He had been a cabinet member during Bangabandhu’s government.
Kamal’s Gono Forum and other political parties are contesting the election with the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol. At least two dozen members of Jamaat-e-Islami, a BNP ally, will also contest the polls under the same symbol.
The Jatiya Oikya Front has drawn criticism from the ruling party Awami League leaders for sharing a platform and symbol with the anti-liberation group.
Kamal urged the people to stop miscreants and goons and uphold the values of the Liberation War, as he spoke to the journalists at the National Memorial.
“Millions of our people have been martyred. We need to uphold their values and take the country forward. We can never tolerate any violence, the use of force or musclemen,” Kamal said.
“Those who adopt cheap politics, use musclemen or black money, they never value the people -- we should be aware of that,” Kamal added.
“We’ll maintain our independence and its values and move forward. The people will win if the remain united.”