‘Where were you in 1971?’ Fakhrul questions Jamaat’s stand on independence

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticised Jamaat-e-Islami over its role during the 1971 Liberation War, saying the party must clearly explain its position on Bangladesh’s independence.

Speaking at an election rally at the Farabari High School ground in Thakurgaon on Thursday, Fakhrul said Jamaat leaders have been increasingly vocal on television talk shows, online platforms and in newspapers but have failed to address their historical role during the country’s struggle for independence.

“Before making political statements, they should explain where they stood in 1971,” he said. “Whose side were they on during the Liberation War?”

The BNP leader alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami had supported the Pakistani occupation forces and attempted to obstruct Bangladesh’s independence, adding that there was no scope to forget the events of 1971.

He said just as people would remember 2024 as a turning point for the restoration of democracy, the history of the Liberation War must never be erased. “The country achieved independence through immense sacrifice, and that history cannot be ignored or rewritten,” he said.

Fakhrul said Bangladesh now has a genuine opportunity, after 15 years, to hold a fair, free and credible election. He expressed hope that broad public participation would ensure a historic and widely acceptable vote.

He added that the interim government currently overseeing the country, along with those elected through public votes, would be responsible for forming the next government. He said active voter engagement would strengthen democracy and restore public confidence in the electoral process.

Referring to his own political future, Fakhrul said the upcoming election could be his last. He pledged that if elected, he would work to establish an airport and a medical college in Thakurgaon and take steps to create employment opportunities to reduce unemployment in the district.

He also outlined plans to empower women voters by providing training under the guidance of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, enabling them to earn from home. “We must train our women and youth, make them skilled and educated, and create jobs through that process,” he said.

The remarks come as political parties across Bangladesh intensify campaigning ahead of the next general election, with historical narratives and development promises emerging as central themes.