Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Friday lashed out at journalists when he was asked about his stance on Jamaat-e-Islami, which had openly opposed Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.
He was visibly angry when the exchange took place between him and the reporters, after Dr Kamal and other Oikya Front leaders paid respects to the 1971 martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka’s Mirpur in the morning.
In line with a 2013 High Court order, the Election Commission in October had cancelled the registration of Jamaat as a political party – making it impossible for the party to contest in the 11th general election, slated for December 30.
At least 22 Jamaat-affiliated individuals, however, have managed to become candidates by securing tickets from the BNP, which is now a major element in the Dr Kamal-led Oikya Front.
Since the platform’s formation, Dr Kamal has been facing questions regarding his position on Jamaat and its long-time alliance with BNP.
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The eminent jurist, who also heads Gono Forum, has always said that he would never side himself with Jamaat.
On Friday, when journalists asked where he stood on the fact that Jamaat-affiliated individuals were able to contest the upcoming polls only because of their association with Oikya Front through BNP, Dr Kamal lashed out.
Flying into rage and visibly shaking, he replied: “These questions should not arise at all. You [journalists] are saying useless things. How much have you been paid to ask these questions? Who paid you?”
Several other Oikya Front leaders, including Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rab) President ASM Abdur Rab, Gono Forum’s Zoglul Haider Afrik and Reza Kibria, BNP’s Abdus Salam and Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, were with Dr Kamal at the time.
Some of them had tried to calm him down mid-interview. But Dr Kamal became more furious and responded in a disapproving voice when another journalist made a similar query.
“What’s your name? I will remember your face... How dare you disrespect the martyrs at their very memorial? Think of the martyrs... Have some respect for them. Shut up! Shut up!” said Dr Kamal.
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Earlier, at the beginning of the conversation, he had told the reporters: “We came to pay our respects to the martyred intellectuals. Millions of martyrs sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence, which we are meant to protect and make it meaningful.
“We are going to liberate the country from those who are driven by lust and greed and are working against the implementation of the ideology and dream of independence. They will be defeated by the people, even if they are strong.”