Citizens Protest Parliamentary Condolence Motion for 1971 War Crime Accused Razakars
Forty-one prominent citizens have issued a statement protesting the raising of a condolence motion in the 13th National Parliament for Razakars accused of being collaborators and perpetrators of crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971. Poet and activist Mir Bobi confirmed the matter on Friday (March 13).
The statement said, “The first session of the parliament of independent Bangladesh, achieved through the great Liberation War of 1971, was held with a pledge to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War. The founding father of independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was the leader of the national parliament. In the course of history, many freedom fighters had the honour of being elected as representatives in the national parliament. Sadly but truly, that picture is absent in the current parliament. Instead, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders accused of crimes against humanity in 1971 and identified Razakars have entered parliament and undermined the Liberation War. This has created a context where our nation may be labelled as traitorous or forgetful of its history. This is a matter of shame for historically conscious citizens.”
The statement further said, “Under the BNP government that has recently taken oath, we have once again witnessed a more shameful and insulting chapter for the Liberation War in the 13th National Parliament. The condolence motion raised in the national parliament regarding Razakars who were accused and convicted of crimes against humanity in 1971 is in no way acceptable.” The signatories strongly condemned and protested the incident.
The statement also mentioned, “The parliament that we obtained through the sacrifice of those who fought for our independence is now being used to show respect to those who opposed the Liberation War and committed killings. This is a grave insult to the sacrifices of three million martyrs and two hundred thousand women who lost their honour. It is a disgraceful attempt to question the spirit of the Liberation War and the foundation of a secular Bangladesh.”
The signatories added, “At the same time, we believe that under the pretext of the ‘July spirit’, a hateful attempt has begun to erase the history of 1971.”
They also said that Razakars, Al-Badr members, and perpetrators of crimes against humanity in no way deserve any form of state honour. “Such steps are equivalent to legitimising the disgraceful chapters of our national history and send the wrong message to future generations,” they said.
The 41 citizens strongly demanded that the part of the condolence motion be immediately withdrawn from the official proceedings of the national parliament. They also urged all concerned to remain vigilant so that such controversial steps are not taken in the parliament or any other state institution in the future.
The signatories to the statement are:
- Poet Nirmalendu Goon
- Professor Abu Yusuf
- Poet Henry Swapan
- Poet Shahed Kayes
- Poet Manik Bairagi
- Researcher and journalist Enayet Kabir
- Poet Rais Mukul
- Writer and filmmaker Shahadat Russell
- Writer Piyush Kanti Barua
- Poet Sanjib Purohit
- Writer and teacher Sanjoy Sarkar
- Poet and journalist Naushad Jamil
- Short story writer Prasun Olukdar
- Poet and researcher Niaz Al Kazi
- Science writer Abdul Gaffar Rony
- Poet and journalist Girish Gairik
- Poet Shafi Samudra
- Fiction writer Shams Saeed
- Actor Tamal Mahbub
- Poet Shafi Kamal Riad
- Woman entrepreneur and activist Laila Noor
- Poet and journalist Syed Shishir
- Poet Mashrura Lucky
- Poet and education development worker Juton Chandra Das
- Activist and social development worker Rishav Majumdar
- Teacher and social development worker Raju Anarya
- Liberation War researcher Naznin Sultana
- Poet and essayist Rudra Shayak
- Teacher and film researcher Monish Rafik
- Sociologist Jackie Islam
- Poet Shamima Sultana
- Political analyst Liton Banerjee
- Journalist and film director Debabrata Rony
- Poet and activist Kutub Hilali
- Poet Hasida Moon
- Poet Mahmud Nasir
- Poet Kaiyum Khan
- Poet and journalist Raju Ahmed Mamun
- Writer and publisher Abu Sayeed
- Poet and publisher Sama Khan
- Poet and activist Mir Robi
