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Bangladesh’s BNP Leader Tarique Rahman Condemns Jamaat-e-Islami, Citing 1971 Atrocities
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman launched a blistering attack on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami during a party event on Sunday, accusing the Islamist party of spreading propaganda against his party while recalling Jamaat’s controversial role during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.
Speaking virtually at the inaugural ceremony of BNP’s six-day “Plan to Build the Country” programme at Dhaka’s Krishibid Institution Bangladesh, Rahman did not mince words in his critique of Jamaat, a former coalition partner of BNP.
“We hear some people or groups nowadays saying ‘We have seen this party and that party, so now give this party [Jamaat] a chance.’ But the people of this country already saw this party in 1971,” Rahman declared, referencing Jamaat’s widely documented opposition to Bangladesh’s independence movement.
Rahman accused Jamaat of making misleading promises to voters, including claims they could “guarantee heaven in return for votes.” He drew parallels between Jamaat’s rhetoric and that of the “fascist Awami League,” suggesting both were spreading similar propaganda against his party.
In a particularly pointed reference to Jamaat’s historical actions, Rahman stated: “They not only killed lakhs of people, but their collaborators also violated countless mothers and sisters. We must never forget this.” His comments alluded to Jamaat’s alignment with Pakistani forces during the 1971 war, a period marked by widespread atrocities against Bengali civilians.
The BNP leader also defended his party’s 2001-2006 governance record, claiming they had inherited a nation “badly damaged by corruption under the rule of Awami League.” He asserted that BNP, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had worked systematically to reduce corruption during their tenure.
“If any party in Bangladesh can stop corruption, it is BNP. We have done it before and we will do it again for the people,” Rahman stated, citing what he described as international recognition of their anti-corruption efforts.
Rahman’s comments come at a significant moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with parties jockeying for position following the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, once coalition partners, appear to be on divergent paths as Bangladesh prepares for its political future.
Notably, Rahman acknowledged the cooperation between BNP and Jamaat in previous governments, mentioning two deceased senior Jamaat leaders who had served in BNP’s cabinet. “They stayed in the BNP government until the very last day, showing their full confidence in Begum Khaleda Zia’s fight against corruption,” he said, while emphasizing that corruption allegations against his party were merely “propaganda” that had never been proven in court.
Looking ahead, Rahman warned of challenging times for Bangladesh, suggesting “different conspiracies are being planned from different directions.” He identified the restoration of democracy as the key to countering these threats, stating: “If we can establish democracy and ensure the people’s mandate at any cost, we will be able to stop many conspiracies.”
The event was inaugurated by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, with Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi chairing the proceedings. Leaders and activists from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, attended from various regions of the country.
Rahman’s strong criticism of Jamaat signals potential realignments in Bangladesh’s opposition sphere, as parties position themselves in the post-Hasina political era, with future elections likely to test these evolving dynamics.
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10 Comments
This seems to be a continuation of the longstanding rivalry between BNP and Jamaat. Rahman’s comments about Jamaat’s promises to voters are intriguing – it suggests they may be trying to position themselves as an alternative to the two main parties. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
The accusations of Jamaat’s role during the 1971 Liberation War are clearly a sensitive and divisive issue. It’s not surprising to see Rahman drawing these historical parallels as part of his critique of the Islamist party. Voters will have to weigh these competing narratives carefully.
The invoking of the 1971 Liberation War is clearly a powerful political tool in Bangladesh. It will be interesting to see how Jamaat responds to Rahman’s accusations and whether they are able to effectively counter his narrative. Voters will need to weigh the merits of these competing claims.
The allegations of propaganda and misleading rhetoric from both Jamaat and the Awami League are concerning. Voters deserve accurate information to make informed choices, not political mudslinging. I hope the various parties can find a way to engage in more constructive dialogue.
It’s striking to see the level of animosity between these political parties. While I appreciate Rahman’s willingness to call out what he sees as propaganda, I hope the various factions can find a way to engage in more constructive debate that focuses on policy and vision rather than just attacking each other.
The parallels drawn between Jamaat and the Awami League’s rhetoric are intriguing. It suggests a level of coordination or shared agenda that merits further investigation. Voters will need to carefully assess the validity of these claims before making their choices.
Interesting to see the political tensions between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. It sounds like Tarique Rahman is accusing Jamaat of spreading propaganda that echoes the ruling Awami League party. This highlights the complex and often adversarial relationships between political groups in the country.
This appears to be a heated political battle, with both sides hurling accusations of propaganda and misleading rhetoric. As an outside observer, I hope the various parties can find a way to engage in more substantive and civil discourse that addresses the real issues facing Bangladeshi citizens.
The invocation of the 1971 Liberation War is clearly a potent political tool in Bangladesh. It’s understandable that Rahman would use this to discredit Jamaat, but I wonder how much it resonates with younger voters who may have a different perspective on these historical events.
This appears to be a complex political situation with deep historical roots. I’m curious to learn more about the specific allegations made by Rahman against Jamaat and how they relate to the Awami League’s rhetoric. Understanding the nuances of these dynamics is important for assessing the validity of the claims.