Jamaat accepted anti-Liberation role with silence over JAMUKA Bill: Law Minister

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Wednesday claimed that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has effectively accepted its historical role as an "anti-Liberation" force by not opposing the definition of "Bir Muktijoddha (Valiant Freedom Fighter)" in the newly amended Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JAMUKA) Bill.

He made the remark while taking part in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the President's speech in Parliament.

Referring to the JAMUKA Bill, the minister noted that the legislation explicitly defines freedom fighters as those who fought against the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators, including the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and Razakars.

"Jamaat did not effectively oppose this law in Parliament. In fact, support was provided in writing on behalf of the NCP. I thank them for this. By operation of law and interpretation, it is now established who opposed the independence war in 1971 and who was involved in murder, forced disappearances, and rape," he said.

The minister expressed his vision for the current Parliament, formed following the July mass uprising, to build a nation that carries forward the spirits of the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 pro-democracy movement, and the 2024 mass uprising.    �"UNB