[vinnomot] Re: History of 1971 speaks up, try proven collaborators, war criminals of 1971 must be punished & public outrage over Jamaat statement

Dear Shafiqu Bhai, it is sad for our country and its people to see the especial interest group always attempts to rewrite our history. Jamaat and other fundamentalist groups, who not just supported the pakistani occupation army but took part in killing, rape,

arson and looting now do politics in the name of Islam.

 

With profound grief

Shamim Chowdhury

"Engr. Shafiq Bhuiyan" <srbanunz@gmail.com> wrote:

Jamaat - Shibir - Razakar - Al-Badar - Paki - Muslim League will continue to be hated, criticized, damned as it was done in past and will be treated same at now and also be treated same in future, for hundreds and hundreds of years to come!

Bangalee & Bangladesh will fight the same fight they fought in 1971 to get rid of these Jamat-BNP-Razakar-Muslim League-Paki supporter and their cronies.

 

History of 1971 speaks up

Julfikar Ali Manik and Emran Hossain

 

  

Pak forces and their collaborators killed top intellectuals at the fag end of Liberation War. This picture was taken from Rayer Bazar area on Dec 17, 1971. Photo: File Photo

After 36 years of independence Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh now denies its anti-liberation role when history speaks volumes about how its leaders and workers collaborated with the occupying Pakistan forces in mass killings, rape, looting and numerous other atrocities.

 

The remarks that Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed made to the press after the electoral talks with the Election Commission Thursday has left people across the country stunned.

 

Former chief justice and chairman of the Law Commission Mostafa Kamal yesterday told The Daily Star, "Now it is being said that no war criminal exists in the country. Maybe after some time it would be said that the Liberation War never took place. All this will mean we will be deprived of the real history."

 

The war criminals have dared to make the audacious claim thanks to years of indifference to the demand for action against them, many observed.

 

Jamaat's active role against the independence has been documented in different publications including those by Jamaat itself during the war in 1971.

 

Thousands of people still bear the scars of war crimes by Jamaat-e-Islami and their student front Islami Chhatra Shangha (now known as Islami Chhatra Shibir), and some other groups such as Muslim League and Nizam-e Islami.

 

The incumbent Jamaat secretary general on Thursday told reporters, "In fact, anti-liberation forces never even existed."

 

At a rally in observance of 'Badr Day' on November 7, 1971, Mojaheed, who was president of East Pakistan Islami Chhatra Shangha, came up with a four-point programme that included 'wiping Hindustan off the face of the earth'.

 

He said, "Move forward with your head held high and with the Quran in heart to materialise the programme. If necessary we will march up to New Delhi and fly the flag of greater Pakistan ."

 

Many research works, academic studies of history, accounts of both victims and collaborators, and publications including newspapers reveal that Mojaheed, who headed the Al Badr Bahini in Dhaka then, led the killings of the intellectuals only two days ahead of the victory of Liberation War.

 

 

 

Pak forces and their collaborators killed top intellectuals at the fag end of Liberation War. This picture was taken from Rayer Bazar area on Dec 17, 1971. Photo: File Photo

 

He used to collect funds, organise armed trainings for Razakars, and persuade students and youths to join the paramilitary force designed to eliminate the freedom fighters.

 

Addressing a function of the Chhatra Shangha in Faridpur on September 15, 1971, he said, "Razakars and Al Badr forces and all other voluntary organisations have been working to protect the nation from the collaborators and spies of India. But unfortunately we observe that a section of political leaders like ZA Bhutto, Kawsar Niazi, Mufti Mahmud and Asghar Khan have lately been making objectionable remarks about the patriots."

 

'Razakar Bahini' was established under supervision of former Jamaat secretary general Moulana Abul Kalam Mohammad Yousuf while 'Badr Bahini' was comprised of the Islami Chhatra Shangha members.

 

Professor Dr Anisuzzaman, one of the nine-member committee formed by the government for making "Bangladesher Swadhinata Judhha Dalilpatra" (History of Bangladesh's War of Independence), told The Daily Star, "The documentary evidence that Jamaat had opposed the Liberation War is found in black and white in the then newspapers."

 

The committee assigned by the information ministry on behalf of the Bangladesh government has compiled and published documentary evidence of the Liberation War in 15 parts.

 

Anisuzzaman said, "Al Badr and Al Shams (both the organisations collaborated with the occupation force) were formed following the initiative of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shangha. There is no room for doubt that they had killed many of our sons of soil including intellectuals."

 

Ironically, the 1971 publications of The Daily Sangram, a newspaper known as the mouthpiece of Jamaat-e-Islami, carry enough evidence to expose Jamaat's anti-liberation role.

 

Study of history reveals that 'Razakars' would organise drives against the freedom fighters, repress their families and carry out arsons while the 'Badr Bahini' would hunt down the people seeking freedom and kill them.

 

The 'Badr Bahini' also organised seminars and distributed pamphlets in futile attempts to make Bangalis "believe in ideals of Pakistan and Islami philosophy of life from cultural and political view point."

 

The September 8, 1971 issue of the Daily Sangram carried a news item headlined "Chhatra Shangha activists will protect each inch of Pakistan 's land".

 

Matiur Rahman Nizami, the incumbent Aamir of Jamaat and the then president of Shangha, said that Islami Chhatra Shangha activists were pledged to protect every inch of Pakistan. They were even ready to attack the mainland Hindustan [India] to protect united Pakistan, the report read.

 

Another issue of the Sangram published on September 15 quoted Nizami, who was also the commander-in-chief of Al Badr then, as saying, "Every one of us should assume the role of a soldier of an Islami country. With assistance of the poor and the oppressed, we must kill those who are engaged in war against Pakistan and Islam."

 

The same newspaper on the third page of its September 16 issue ran another item headlined "No force on earth will be able to destroy Pakistan." In the news report Nizami called on the people to face conspiracy of the so-called Banga Daradi (Lover of Bengal).

 

Nizami's predecessor former Jamaat-e-Islami Aamir Golam Azam was the brains behind Jamaat's anti-liberation efforts.

 

Statements that Golam Azam had made in different publications show how instrumental he was in Jamaat's mission to thwart the independence movement and in helping the Pakistan army to commit massacres and other war crimes.

 

Golam Azam had held several meetings with the then Pakistani military ruler Yahia Khan, other policymakers including governors and politicians to streamline the campaign to resist the liberation forces.

 

A photograph of the meeting held to form 'Peace Committee', which helped the occupying forces in committing genocides, shows Golam Azam with Pakistani leaders and military personnel.

 

Immediately after independence he fled to Pakistan and returned after the brutal killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family in 1975.

 

In 1981, people threw shoes at him when he went to attend a namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram.

 

A total of three million people were killed and at least a quarter million women were violated during the nine months of war. Despite public demand for punishment to the war criminals and collaborators, successive governments did nothing to that end.

 

Only the government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took some initiatives to try the war criminals.

 

In January, 1972, Bangabandhu had formulated the Collaborators Act to try the collaborators and war criminals. The Act covers those individuals or organisations, who helped the Pakistani army in mass killings, conducted crimes against humanity, unleashed torture on men, women and children, destroyed property, or fought against the People's Republic of Bangladesh siding with the occupying forces. It also explained how 11 tribunals would be set up to punish them.

 

There is a view prevalent among a section of people that asking for trial of war criminals is irrelevant as the Awami League government had granted a general amnesty for all. This was said time and again that none pardoned Pakistani war criminals.

 

The Collaborators Act that was published in a gazette notification on November 30, 1973 however says none of the war criminals had been pardoned. The same was true for Golam Azam.

 

Section two of the Act said, "Those who were punished for or accused of rape, murder, attempt to murder or arson will not come under general amnesty under the section one."

 

Out of 37,000 sent to jail on charges of collaboration, some 26,000 were freed after announcement of the general amnesty.

 

Around 11,000 were still in the prison when the government of Justice Sayem and General Zia repealed the Collaboration Act on December 31, 1975. After the scrapping, those behind bars for war atrocities appealed and eventually got released.

 

In the early 90s, a mother of martyrs, Jahanara Imam, launched a movement for trial of war criminals. Though it won overwhelming public support none of the governments had bothered to take notice of it.

 

At that time, the People's Inquiry Commission was formed to investigate the activities of the war criminals and the collaborators.

 

Led by eminent poet Sufia Kamal, the commission comprised renowned academics, litterateurs and other professionals. On March 26, 1994, it unveiled accounts of the war crimes committed by 16 persons.

 

The war criminals are former acting aamir of Jamaat Abbas Ali Khan, Matiur Rahman Nizami, senior assistance secretary general of Jamaat Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, former BNP lawmaker Abdul Alim, Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Maulana Abdul Mannan, Anwar Zahid, Abdul Kader Molla, ASM Solaiman, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, Maulana Abdus Sobhan, Maulana AKM Yousuf, Mohammad Ayen Ud Din, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, ABM Khaleq Majumder and Dr Sayed Sajjad Hossain.

 

 

Try proven collaborators, demand war heroes

Rashidul Hasan

 

 

 

File photos show:

 

(1) Golam Azam and Nurul Amin hold talks with Gen Tikka Khan in 1971 to form peace committee

(2) Golam Azam faces public wrath (JUTA PITA) in Dhaka city 1981

(3) Maulana Mannan along with Madrassa teachers meets Gen Niazi in 1971 Photo: File Photo

 

 

Top Liberation War heroes said yesterday a number of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders are proven collaborators in the genocide in 1971, and demanded they be brought to justice immediately.

 

Blasting Jamaat for its anti-liberation role, they said this party is now denying established historical truth, and demanded banning it.

 

The renowned freedom fighters were talking to The Daily Star in reaction to Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed's claim that they did not work against the Liberation War and that there are no anti-liberation forces and war criminals in the country.

 

The war heroes include the deputy chief of liberation forces and sector commanders in the Liberation War.

 

Maj Gen (retd) AKM Shafiullah, who was commander of sector-11, said, "There is enough evidence to prove that they (Jamaat) were against the Liberation War."

 

Had they not been an anti-liberation force, so many people would not have to die in the war, said the former army chief. "This is time to make them face trial."

 

Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali, commander of sector-5, said, "Ali Ahsan Mojaheed is just trying to befool the people. Everybody in this country suffered in the hands of anti-liberation forces like Jamaat."

 

"If anti-liberation forces never existed (as Mojaheed claimed), then he should ask his conscience why 30 lakh people were martyred and three lakh mothers and sisters lost dignity during the war," he posed the question to the Jamaat leader.

 

Shawkat further asked, "Who were the 'AL-Badr' and 'Al-Shams' (involved in genocide) and who were their leaders?"

 

Retired Air Vice Marshal AK Khandakar, deputy chief of the liberation forces, said, "They (Jamaat leaders) cannot deny history by telling lies. The people have rejected their false claims."

 

Alleging that Jamaat is denying a "historical truth," he urged the government to ban the party.

 

Lt Col (retd) Kazi Nuruzzaman, commander of sector-7, said "To defeat these forces, all pro-liberation ones must unite to come to power in the next elections. We have to do this ourselves."

 

Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, commander of sector-4, said those who worked against the liberation forces, including Jamaat, must face trial now.

 

Former army chief, Lt Gen (retd) Harun-ur-Rashid said, "Jamaat leaders' claims now have once again proved how important it is to make them face court."

 

Commander of sector-8 Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury condemned the Jamaat claim saying, "A thief never admits he is a thief. So, Jamaat leaders must be brought to justice."

 

"We tried former Jamaat chief Golam Azam at the people's court (gono adalot), we also formed national people's inquiry commission headed by poet Sufia Kamal that found a large of Jamaat leaders' involvement in anti-liberation activities."

 

Abu Osman said "Nizami ( Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami) was commander of Al-Badr and Mojaheed was its Dhaka unit chief."

 

"They (Jamaat leaders) dare to make false claims because of the silence of the nation's top political leaders, " he said. "Their claims only prove how big liars they are."

 

 

War criminals must be punished

Jamaat denies its anti-liberation role

 

 

 

We reject with unreserved repugnance the claim of Jamaat's secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid that Jamaat-e-Islami never worked against our independence struggle and there is no such thing as war criminals in the country. He said this before media displaying veritable arrogance and ire when asked about the role of Jamaat-e-Islami during the nine-month Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. To our utter shock and indignation, Mujahid not only denied any wrong-doing by his party but was defiant enough to throw a challenge to the newsmen to dig into the history and find for themselves the role of Jamaat.

 

We are outraged by the attempts to mock at the sacrifices of millions and the masses who fought for our Liberation War by those who played a terrorizing part in it in a bid to perpetuate the rule of the Pakistani military junta. We consider this unashamed utterance as impertinence of the most appalling kind that ought to be denounced and countered by everyone in society.

 

The history of the dark and destructive role of Jamaat-e- Islami before and during the Liberation War is too well-recorded at home and abroad in various forms to allow seepage of confusion or misunderstanding of any kind. The members of this party had taken sides with the Pakistani occupation forces and carried out atrocities of horrendous nature on the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh. They had created para-military forces like al-Badar and al-Shams under the direct control of the Pakistani military commanders and helped them in picking up the freedom fighters from their hideouts. Finally, only days before the ultimate victory on December 16 they struck with the stealth of vipers in the darkness of nights to eliminate the best of our brains. The nation mourns this sad event on December 14 every year. We therefore wonder, how dark a man's heart can be to deny such painful events?

 

It is ironical indeed that when most Pakistani people today express regret and sorrow, in privacy at least, at the rape and murders committed by the occupation forces in 1971, their Bengali quislings remain unremorseful and unapologetic till date. Today they deny their dark role in the Liberation War, tomorrow they will dare to deny the marvellous feat of the freedom fighters and then the very existence of Bangladesh.

 

When Jamaat had won some seats in last two general elections and came to parliament we respected voters' choice and tried to convince ourselves that they have come to terms with reality and would now apologise before the nation for their nefarious role in '71. But, today, with the infuriating utterance, Mujahid has made it obvious that they would continue to disrespect and deny our Liberation War and as such our independence.

 

We once again express our deeply-felt umbrage at the blatant comments of Mujahid and appeal to the people of Bangladesh to reject them with equal sentiments. No one has any right to rewrite the history of Bangladesh Liberation War.

 

 

Public outrage over Jamaat statement

Jamaat -RAZAZAKAR reject its anti-liberation role

 

 

People from all walks of life yesterday blasted Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed for his Thursday's comments, which they said went against the Liberation War.

 

Mojaheed on Thursday told the media that Jamaat did not work against the Liberation War in 1971 and there are no war criminals in the country.

 

A cross section of people said the comments of Mojaheed on Thursday were arrogant and deceitful. They yesterday demanded trial of the Jamaat leaders who are known collaborators of the genocide in 1971.

 

Meanwhile, a number of organisations and Dhaka University teachers also protested and condemned Mojaheed's remarks.

 

Elderly people in the city, whom The Daily Star correspondents talked to, reacted sharply over the comments. "Millions of elderly people who witnessed the Liberation War are still alive in the country. We witnessed the role of Jamaat and its leaders. How did Mojaheed make such kind of remarks? Does he think we are stupid?" said a retired government official.

 

"From the documents of our Liberation War and from our parents, we came to know that the war criminals now belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami," said Rezaur Rahman, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

 

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared general amnesty for war criminals even though they were involved in many misdeeds during the Liberation War. Now they are denying it, he said.

 

Abdur Rahim, an official at a private firm, said he is surprised to hear such comments from a person who helped the occupying Pakistani army carry out massacres, looting and rape.

 

It is not at all desirable to hear such comments from a man who is a war criminal and it goes against the Liberation War, he said.

 

If Jamaat can say that anti-liberation forces never even existed then it is not far off when Jamaat leaders will say that they played an important role in achieving the independence of the country, he added.

 

"Many political parties cannot tolerate Jamaat-e-Islami, that is why they encourage propaganda against them," said one of the students of BUET as he was subdued by others screaming out that most political parties and common people cannot tolerate this party since it uses religion to get votes and hide their misdeeds in 1971.

 

During the last five years, this party ran the country as part of the government and gained strength and publicity. Now they dare to say that there are no war criminals in the country, BUET students told The Daily Star.

 

"Actually we have given them the power to say such things publicly. The political parties could not be united against the people who opposed the Liberation War even after 36 years. They unite only when time comes for seat-sharing in Parliament," said Biplob, 34, a businessman.

 

Jayed Shahriar, a student of Dhaka University, said, "We must condemn such comments that there are no war criminals in the country."

 

The comment is an expression of arrogance, he said adding that it has only been possible due to the failure of successive political governments who could not bring them to justice.

 

The responsibility for making the Jamaat leaders arrogant primarily goes to the immediate past BNP-led government, which took them into its fold, he said.

 

"The caretaker government cannot do anything about the issue of war criminals now. An elected government can punish the war criminals," said another businessman Arefin.

 

A rickshaw puller said there is no doubt that there are "razakars" (collaborators) in the country who opposed our Liberation War.

 

A number of teachers of Dhaka University condemned Mojaheed's recent comments.

 

Former president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique termed the Jamaat leader's statement false and misguiding.

 

He said whether Jamaat worked against the Liberation War in 1971 can be proved by going through old newspapers issues, even the Jamaat mouthpiece Dainik Sangram can be used.

 

Over seven crore people of the country fought against the Pakistani occupational army then, but a few people joined the Razakar, Al Badr and Al Shams and collaborated with the Pakistani army.

 

History of their activities is recorded in the archives, he said.

 

Former Duta general secretary Prof Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman said in legal sense, there are no war criminals. However, in Bangladesh the words "war criminals" mean the few people who acted against the independence of the country during 1971.

 

He said the Jamaat leaders took shelter of rhetoric and used the loopholes of law to befool people.

 

The statement might be an indistinct demand before the government to probe the war criminals issue and settle the matter, he said.

 

Chair of Mass Communication and Journalism Department Prof Shaikh Abdus Salam said Mojaheed's statement is not based on facts.

 

"If there are no war criminals in the country, then who killed three million people of the country, who disgraced over two lakh women and who killed our intellectuals?" he asked.

 

Their role is now history, and an attempt to deny their role is not positive for the country's politics. The statement does not bear the prudence of politicians, he said.

 

Prof Nurul Amin Bapari said there is no doubt that they are war criminals, as there are records of them. Since successive governments did not put them on trial, they gained the courage to say something like this.

 

Meanwhile, leaders of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism said the comment is not arrogant it is tantamount to an attack on the spirit of Liberation War, as well as the existence of Bangladesh.

 

In a joint statement, they said evidence of the anti-liberation role of Jamaat would be found in Jamaat's mouthpiece Dainik Sangram's issues published during the Liberation War.

 

Apart from helping the occupying Pakistani army carry out genocide and torture, Jamaat formed Razakar, Al Badr and Al Shams forces to collaborate with the enemy and killed many freedom fighters and intellectuals.

 

They said denying this truth is tantamount to the denial of the existence of Bangladesh.

 

The false, intentional and provocative remark that Mojaheed made hurting the spirit of Liberation War is sedition, he is a war criminal and a traitor, they said.

 

They demanded formation of a special tribunal for the trial of Mojaheed and Nizami, Jamaat ameer, and a ban on politics based on religion and fundamentalism.

 

Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal also condemned the remarks and said the comments are not only false and in violation to the Constitution, they are also arrogant.

 

In a meeting yesterday, they said through the comment Mojaheed proved that Jamaat has not accepted yet the Liberation War and the independence of the country.

 

They urged the Election Commission not to register those political parties involved with anti-liberation activities.

 

Sammilito Sangskritik Jote also condemned Mojaheed's remarks.

 

In a statement, they said the remarks were arrogant, a humiliation to the 30 lakh martyrs and tantamount to denying the independence of the country.

 

Projonmo Ekattor and Chhatra Sangram Parishad also condemned the remarks.

 

Jamaat - Shibir - Razakar - Al-Badar - Paki - Muslim League will continue to be hated, criticized, damned as it was done in past and will be treated same at now and also be treated same in future, for hundreds and hundreds of years to come!

Bangalee & Bangladesh will fight the same fight they fought in 1971 to get rid of these Jamat-BNP-Razakar-Muslim League-Paki supporter and their cronies.

 

 

"Sustha thakon, nirapade thakon ebong valo thakon"

Shuvechhante,

Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan (ANU)
NEW ZEALAND.


N.B.: If any one is offended by content of this e-mail, please ignore & delete this e-mail. I will also request you to inform me - to delete your name from my contact list.


 

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[ALOCHONA] Re: History of 1971 speaks up, try proven collaborators, war criminals of 1971 must be punished & public outrage over Jamaat statement

Dear Shafiqu Bhai, it is sad for our country and its people to see the especial interest group always attempts to rewrite our history. Jamaat and other fundamentalist groups, who not just supported the pakistani occupation army but took part in killing, rape,

arson and looting now do politics in the name of Islam.

 

With profound grief

Shamim Chowdhury

"Engr. Shafiq Bhuiyan" <srbanunz@gmail.com> wrote:

Jamaat - Shibir - Razakar - Al-Badar - Paki - Muslim League will continue to be hated, criticized, damned as it was done in past and will be treated same at now and also be treated same in future, for hundreds and hundreds of years to come!

Bangalee & Bangladesh will fight the same fight they fought in 1971 to get rid of these Jamat-BNP-Razakar-Muslim League-Paki supporter and their cronies.

 

History of 1971 speaks up

Julfikar Ali Manik and Emran Hossain

 

  

Pak forces and their collaborators killed top intellectuals at the fag end of Liberation War. This picture was taken from Rayer Bazar area on Dec 17, 1971. Photo: File Photo

After 36 years of independence Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh now denies its anti-liberation role when history speaks volumes about how its leaders and workers collaborated with the occupying Pakistan forces in mass killings, rape, looting and numerous other atrocities.

 

The remarks that Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed made to the press after the electoral talks with the Election Commission Thursday has left people across the country stunned.

 

Former chief justice and chairman of the Law Commission Mostafa Kamal yesterday told The Daily Star, "Now it is being said that no war criminal exists in the country. Maybe after some time it would be said that the Liberation War never took place. All this will mean we will be deprived of the real history."

 

The war criminals have dared to make the audacious claim thanks to years of indifference to the demand for action against them, many observed.

 

Jamaat's active role against the independence has been documented in different publications including those by Jamaat itself during the war in 1971.

 

Thousands of people still bear the scars of war crimes by Jamaat-e-Islami and their student front Islami Chhatra Shangha (now known as Islami Chhatra Shibir), and some other groups such as Muslim League and Nizam-e Islami.

 

The incumbent Jamaat secretary general on Thursday told reporters, "In fact, anti-liberation forces never even existed."

 

At a rally in observance of 'Badr Day' on November 7, 1971, Mojaheed, who was president of East Pakistan Islami Chhatra Shangha, came up with a four-point programme that included 'wiping Hindustan off the face of the earth'.

 

He said, "Move forward with your head held high and with the Quran in heart to materialise the programme. If necessary we will march up to New Delhi and fly the flag of greater Pakistan ."

 

Many research works, academic studies of history, accounts of both victims and collaborators, and publications including newspapers reveal that Mojaheed, who headed the Al Badr Bahini in Dhaka then, led the killings of the intellectuals only two days ahead of the victory of Liberation War.

 

 

 

Pak forces and their collaborators killed top intellectuals at the fag end of Liberation War. This picture was taken from Rayer Bazar area on Dec 17, 1971. Photo: File Photo

 

He used to collect funds, organise armed trainings for Razakars, and persuade students and youths to join the paramilitary force designed to eliminate the freedom fighters.

 

Addressing a function of the Chhatra Shangha in Faridpur on September 15, 1971, he said, "Razakars and Al Badr forces and all other voluntary organisations have been working to protect the nation from the collaborators and spies of India. But unfortunately we observe that a section of political leaders like ZA Bhutto, Kawsar Niazi, Mufti Mahmud and Asghar Khan have lately been making objectionable remarks about the patriots."

 

'Razakar Bahini' was established under supervision of former Jamaat secretary general Moulana Abul Kalam Mohammad Yousuf while 'Badr Bahini' was comprised of the Islami Chhatra Shangha members.

 

Professor Dr Anisuzzaman, one of the nine-member committee formed by the government for making "Bangladesher Swadhinata Judhha Dalilpatra" (History of Bangladesh's War of Independence), told The Daily Star, "The documentary evidence that Jamaat had opposed the Liberation War is found in black and white in the then newspapers."

 

The committee assigned by the information ministry on behalf of the Bangladesh government has compiled and published documentary evidence of the Liberation War in 15 parts.

 

Anisuzzaman said, "Al Badr and Al Shams (both the organisations collaborated with the occupation force) were formed following the initiative of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shangha. There is no room for doubt that they had killed many of our sons of soil including intellectuals."

 

Ironically, the 1971 publications of The Daily Sangram, a newspaper known as the mouthpiece of Jamaat-e-Islami, carry enough evidence to expose Jamaat's anti-liberation role.

 

Study of history reveals that 'Razakars' would organise drives against the freedom fighters, repress their families and carry out arsons while the 'Badr Bahini' would hunt down the people seeking freedom and kill them.

 

The 'Badr Bahini' also organised seminars and distributed pamphlets in futile attempts to make Bangalis "believe in ideals of Pakistan and Islami philosophy of life from cultural and political view point."

 

The September 8, 1971 issue of the Daily Sangram carried a news item headlined "Chhatra Shangha activists will protect each inch of Pakistan 's land".

 

Matiur Rahman Nizami, the incumbent Aamir of Jamaat and the then president of Shangha, said that Islami Chhatra Shangha activists were pledged to protect every inch of Pakistan. They were even ready to attack the mainland Hindustan [India] to protect united Pakistan, the report read.

 

Another issue of the Sangram published on September 15 quoted Nizami, who was also the commander-in-chief of Al Badr then, as saying, "Every one of us should assume the role of a soldier of an Islami country. With assistance of the poor and the oppressed, we must kill those who are engaged in war against Pakistan and Islam."

 

The same newspaper on the third page of its September 16 issue ran another item headlined "No force on earth will be able to destroy Pakistan." In the news report Nizami called on the people to face conspiracy of the so-called Banga Daradi (Lover of Bengal).

 

Nizami's predecessor former Jamaat-e-Islami Aamir Golam Azam was the brains behind Jamaat's anti-liberation efforts.

 

Statements that Golam Azam had made in different publications show how instrumental he was in Jamaat's mission to thwart the independence movement and in helping the Pakistan army to commit massacres and other war crimes.

 

Golam Azam had held several meetings with the then Pakistani military ruler Yahia Khan, other policymakers including governors and politicians to streamline the campaign to resist the liberation forces.

 

A photograph of the meeting held to form 'Peace Committee', which helped the occupying forces in committing genocides, shows Golam Azam with Pakistani leaders and military personnel.

 

Immediately after independence he fled to Pakistan and returned after the brutal killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family in 1975.

 

In 1981, people threw shoes at him when he went to attend a namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram.

 

A total of three million people were killed and at least a quarter million women were violated during the nine months of war. Despite public demand for punishment to the war criminals and collaborators, successive governments did nothing to that end.

 

Only the government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took some initiatives to try the war criminals.

 

In January, 1972, Bangabandhu had formulated the Collaborators Act to try the collaborators and war criminals. The Act covers those individuals or organisations, who helped the Pakistani army in mass killings, conducted crimes against humanity, unleashed torture on men, women and children, destroyed property, or fought against the People's Republic of Bangladesh siding with the occupying forces. It also explained how 11 tribunals would be set up to punish them.

 

There is a view prevalent among a section of people that asking for trial of war criminals is irrelevant as the Awami League government had granted a general amnesty for all. This was said time and again that none pardoned Pakistani war criminals.

 

The Collaborators Act that was published in a gazette notification on November 30, 1973 however says none of the war criminals had been pardoned. The same was true for Golam Azam.

 

Section two of the Act said, "Those who were punished for or accused of rape, murder, attempt to murder or arson will not come under general amnesty under the section one."

 

Out of 37,000 sent to jail on charges of collaboration, some 26,000 were freed after announcement of the general amnesty.

 

Around 11,000 were still in the prison when the government of Justice Sayem and General Zia repealed the Collaboration Act on December 31, 1975. After the scrapping, those behind bars for war atrocities appealed and eventually got released.

 

In the early 90s, a mother of martyrs, Jahanara Imam, launched a movement for trial of war criminals. Though it won overwhelming public support none of the governments had bothered to take notice of it.

 

At that time, the People's Inquiry Commission was formed to investigate the activities of the war criminals and the collaborators.

 

Led by eminent poet Sufia Kamal, the commission comprised renowned academics, litterateurs and other professionals. On March 26, 1994, it unveiled accounts of the war crimes committed by 16 persons.

 

The war criminals are former acting aamir of Jamaat Abbas Ali Khan, Matiur Rahman Nizami, senior assistance secretary general of Jamaat Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, former BNP lawmaker Abdul Alim, Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Maulana Abdul Mannan, Anwar Zahid, Abdul Kader Molla, ASM Solaiman, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, Maulana Abdus Sobhan, Maulana AKM Yousuf, Mohammad Ayen Ud Din, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, ABM Khaleq Majumder and Dr Sayed Sajjad Hossain.

 

 

Try proven collaborators, demand war heroes

Rashidul Hasan

 

 

 

File photos show:

 

(1) Golam Azam and Nurul Amin hold talks with Gen Tikka Khan in 1971 to form peace committee

(2) Golam Azam faces public wrath (JUTA PITA) in Dhaka city 1981

(3) Maulana Mannan along with Madrassa teachers meets Gen Niazi in 1971 Photo: File Photo

 

 

Top Liberation War heroes said yesterday a number of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders are proven collaborators in the genocide in 1971, and demanded they be brought to justice immediately.

 

Blasting Jamaat for its anti-liberation role, they said this party is now denying established historical truth, and demanded banning it.

 

The renowned freedom fighters were talking to The Daily Star in reaction to Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed's claim that they did not work against the Liberation War and that there are no anti-liberation forces and war criminals in the country.

 

The war heroes include the deputy chief of liberation forces and sector commanders in the Liberation War.

 

Maj Gen (retd) AKM Shafiullah, who was commander of sector-11, said, "There is enough evidence to prove that they (Jamaat) were against the Liberation War."

 

Had they not been an anti-liberation force, so many people would not have to die in the war, said the former army chief. "This is time to make them face trial."

 

Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali, commander of sector-5, said, "Ali Ahsan Mojaheed is just trying to befool the people. Everybody in this country suffered in the hands of anti-liberation forces like Jamaat."

 

"If anti-liberation forces never existed (as Mojaheed claimed), then he should ask his conscience why 30 lakh people were martyred and three lakh mothers and sisters lost dignity during the war," he posed the question to the Jamaat leader.

 

Shawkat further asked, "Who were the 'AL-Badr' and 'Al-Shams' (involved in genocide) and who were their leaders?"

 

Retired Air Vice Marshal AK Khandakar, deputy chief of the liberation forces, said, "They (Jamaat leaders) cannot deny history by telling lies. The people have rejected their false claims."

 

Alleging that Jamaat is denying a "historical truth," he urged the government to ban the party.

 

Lt Col (retd) Kazi Nuruzzaman, commander of sector-7, said "To defeat these forces, all pro-liberation ones must unite to come to power in the next elections. We have to do this ourselves."

 

Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, commander of sector-4, said those who worked against the liberation forces, including Jamaat, must face trial now.

 

Former army chief, Lt Gen (retd) Harun-ur-Rashid said, "Jamaat leaders' claims now have once again proved how important it is to make them face court."

 

Commander of sector-8 Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury condemned the Jamaat claim saying, "A thief never admits he is a thief. So, Jamaat leaders must be brought to justice."

 

"We tried former Jamaat chief Golam Azam at the people's court (gono adalot), we also formed national people's inquiry commission headed by poet Sufia Kamal that found a large of Jamaat leaders' involvement in anti-liberation activities."

 

Abu Osman said "Nizami ( Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami) was commander of Al-Badr and Mojaheed was its Dhaka unit chief."

 

"They (Jamaat leaders) dare to make false claims because of the silence of the nation's top political leaders, " he said. "Their claims only prove how big liars they are."

 

 

War criminals must be punished

Jamaat denies its anti-liberation role

 

 

 

We reject with unreserved repugnance the claim of Jamaat's secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid that Jamaat-e-Islami never worked against our independence struggle and there is no such thing as war criminals in the country. He said this before media displaying veritable arrogance and ire when asked about the role of Jamaat-e-Islami during the nine-month Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. To our utter shock and indignation, Mujahid not only denied any wrong-doing by his party but was defiant enough to throw a challenge to the newsmen to dig into the history and find for themselves the role of Jamaat.

 

We are outraged by the attempts to mock at the sacrifices of millions and the masses who fought for our Liberation War by those who played a terrorizing part in it in a bid to perpetuate the rule of the Pakistani military junta. We consider this unashamed utterance as impertinence of the most appalling kind that ought to be denounced and countered by everyone in society.

 

The history of the dark and destructive role of Jamaat-e- Islami before and during the Liberation War is too well-recorded at home and abroad in various forms to allow seepage of confusion or misunderstanding of any kind. The members of this party had taken sides with the Pakistani occupation forces and carried out atrocities of horrendous nature on the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh. They had created para-military forces like al-Badar and al-Shams under the direct control of the Pakistani military commanders and helped them in picking up the freedom fighters from their hideouts. Finally, only days before the ultimate victory on December 16 they struck with the stealth of vipers in the darkness of nights to eliminate the best of our brains. The nation mourns this sad event on December 14 every year. We therefore wonder, how dark a man's heart can be to deny such painful events?

 

It is ironical indeed that when most Pakistani people today express regret and sorrow, in privacy at least, at the rape and murders committed by the occupation forces in 1971, their Bengali quislings remain unremorseful and unapologetic till date. Today they deny their dark role in the Liberation War, tomorrow they will dare to deny the marvellous feat of the freedom fighters and then the very existence of Bangladesh.

 

When Jamaat had won some seats in last two general elections and came to parliament we respected voters' choice and tried to convince ourselves that they have come to terms with reality and would now apologise before the nation for their nefarious role in '71. But, today, with the infuriating utterance, Mujahid has made it obvious that they would continue to disrespect and deny our Liberation War and as such our independence.

 

We once again express our deeply-felt umbrage at the blatant comments of Mujahid and appeal to the people of Bangladesh to reject them with equal sentiments. No one has any right to rewrite the history of Bangladesh Liberation War.

 

 

Public outrage over Jamaat statement

Jamaat -RAZAZAKAR reject its anti-liberation role

 

 

People from all walks of life yesterday blasted Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed for his Thursday's comments, which they said went against the Liberation War.

 

Mojaheed on Thursday told the media that Jamaat did not work against the Liberation War in 1971 and there are no war criminals in the country.

 

A cross section of people said the comments of Mojaheed on Thursday were arrogant and deceitful. They yesterday demanded trial of the Jamaat leaders who are known collaborators of the genocide in 1971.

 

Meanwhile, a number of organisations and Dhaka University teachers also protested and condemned Mojaheed's remarks.

 

Elderly people in the city, whom The Daily Star correspondents talked to, reacted sharply over the comments. "Millions of elderly people who witnessed the Liberation War are still alive in the country. We witnessed the role of Jamaat and its leaders. How did Mojaheed make such kind of remarks? Does he think we are stupid?" said a retired government official.

 

"From the documents of our Liberation War and from our parents, we came to know that the war criminals now belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami," said Rezaur Rahman, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

 

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared general amnesty for war criminals even though they were involved in many misdeeds during the Liberation War. Now they are denying it, he said.

 

Abdur Rahim, an official at a private firm, said he is surprised to hear such comments from a person who helped the occupying Pakistani army carry out massacres, looting and rape.

 

It is not at all desirable to hear such comments from a man who is a war criminal and it goes against the Liberation War, he said.

 

If Jamaat can say that anti-liberation forces never even existed then it is not far off when Jamaat leaders will say that they played an important role in achieving the independence of the country, he added.

 

"Many political parties cannot tolerate Jamaat-e-Islami, that is why they encourage propaganda against them," said one of the students of BUET as he was subdued by others screaming out that most political parties and common people cannot tolerate this party since it uses religion to get votes and hide their misdeeds in 1971.

 

During the last five years, this party ran the country as part of the government and gained strength and publicity. Now they dare to say that there are no war criminals in the country, BUET students told The Daily Star.

 

"Actually we have given them the power to say such things publicly. The political parties could not be united against the people who opposed the Liberation War even after 36 years. They unite only when time comes for seat-sharing in Parliament," said Biplob, 34, a businessman.

 

Jayed Shahriar, a student of Dhaka University, said, "We must condemn such comments that there are no war criminals in the country."

 

The comment is an expression of arrogance, he said adding that it has only been possible due to the failure of successive political governments who could not bring them to justice.

 

The responsibility for making the Jamaat leaders arrogant primarily goes to the immediate past BNP-led government, which took them into its fold, he said.

 

"The caretaker government cannot do anything about the issue of war criminals now. An elected government can punish the war criminals," said another businessman Arefin.

 

A rickshaw puller said there is no doubt that there are "razakars" (collaborators) in the country who opposed our Liberation War.

 

A number of teachers of Dhaka University condemned Mojaheed's recent comments.

 

Former president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique termed the Jamaat leader's statement false and misguiding.

 

He said whether Jamaat worked against the Liberation War in 1971 can be proved by going through old newspapers issues, even the Jamaat mouthpiece Dainik Sangram can be used.

 

Over seven crore people of the country fought against the Pakistani occupational army then, but a few people joined the Razakar, Al Badr and Al Shams and collaborated with the Pakistani army.

 

History of their activities is recorded in the archives, he said.

 

Former Duta general secretary Prof Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman said in legal sense, there are no war criminals. However, in Bangladesh the words "war criminals" mean the few people who acted against the independence of the country during 1971.

 

He said the Jamaat leaders took shelter of rhetoric and used the loopholes of law to befool people.

 

The statement might be an indistinct demand before the government to probe the war criminals issue and settle the matter, he said.

 

Chair of Mass Communication and Journalism Department Prof Shaikh Abdus Salam said Mojaheed's statement is not based on facts.

 

"If there are no war criminals in the country, then who killed three million people of the country, who disgraced over two lakh women and who killed our intellectuals?" he asked.

 

Their role is now history, and an attempt to deny their role is not positive for the country's politics. The statement does not bear the prudence of politicians, he said.

 

Prof Nurul Amin Bapari said there is no doubt that they are war criminals, as there are records of them. Since successive governments did not put them on trial, they gained the courage to say something like this.

 

Meanwhile, leaders of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism said the comment is not arrogant it is tantamount to an attack on the spirit of Liberation War, as well as the existence of Bangladesh.

 

In a joint statement, they said evidence of the anti-liberation role of Jamaat would be found in Jamaat's mouthpiece Dainik Sangram's issues published during the Liberation War.

 

Apart from helping the occupying Pakistani army carry out genocide and torture, Jamaat formed Razakar, Al Badr and Al Shams forces to collaborate with the enemy and killed many freedom fighters and intellectuals.

 

They said denying this truth is tantamount to the denial of the existence of Bangladesh.

 

The false, intentional and provocative remark that Mojaheed made hurting the spirit of Liberation War is sedition, he is a war criminal and a traitor, they said.

 

They demanded formation of a special tribunal for the trial of Mojaheed and Nizami, Jamaat ameer, and a ban on politics based on religion and fundamentalism.

 

Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal also condemned the remarks and said the comments are not only false and in violation to the Constitution, they are also arrogant.

 

In a meeting yesterday, they said through the comment Mojaheed proved that Jamaat has not accepted yet the Liberation War and the independence of the country.

 

They urged the Election Commission not to register those political parties involved with anti-liberation activities.

 

Sammilito Sangskritik Jote also condemned Mojaheed's remarks.

 

In a statement, they said the remarks were arrogant, a humiliation to the 30 lakh martyrs and tantamount to denying the independence of the country.

 

Projonmo Ekattor and Chhatra Sangram Parishad also condemned the remarks.

 

Jamaat - Shibir - Razakar - Al-Badar - Paki - Muslim League will continue to be hated, criticized, damned as it was done in past and will be treated same at now and also be treated same in future, for hundreds and hundreds of years to come!

Bangalee & Bangladesh will fight the same fight they fought in 1971 to get rid of these Jamat-BNP-Razakar-Muslim League-Paki supporter and their cronies.

 

 

"Sustha thakon, nirapade thakon ebong valo thakon"

Shuvechhante,

Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan (ANU)
NEW ZEALAND.


N.B.: If any one is offended by content of this e-mail, please ignore & delete this e-mail. I will also request you to inform me - to delete your name from my contact list.


 

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