Prof Mia Golam Parwar, secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has said that although the true nature of the murder of the martyred intellectuals remains shrouded in mystery, there is still an opportunity to identify the real killers.
He made this statement on Saturday while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan South unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, held at the National Press Club auditorium to mark Martyred Intellectuals Day 2024.
Paying homage to the martyred intellectuals on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mia Golam Parwar said: "Through their sacrifice, we achieved a free and independent country. The nation will remember their contributions for generations. Who killed the intellectuals in 1971? Even 53 years after independence, this question has not been answered before the nation. Those who wanted to lease the country at gunpoint and are responsible for this foreign aggression also bear responsibility for these killings."
Referring to the disappearance of journalist and filmmaker Zahir Raihan after the country's independence, he said: "Zahir Raihan had taken up the task of documenting and researching the struggle of the Liberation War and the murder of intellectuals. He wanted to uncover the reasons, evidence, and facts of the killings by visiting villages and remote areas. The nation believed that if Zahir Raihan's documentary was published, unknown truths would come to light. However, by the last week of January, he could no longer be found. Even today, the incident of intellectual killings remains shrouded in mystery to politicians and thinkers of the nation. The whereabouts of his documentary are still unknown."
Commenting that India has never proven to be a trustworthy friend, Jamaat's Secretary General said: "The people of our country will determine their right to vote. We couldn’t vote in 2014, 2018, or 2024. All three elections were boycotted by the people. And this hegemonic force (India) lured certain domestic collaborators and maintained their chosen government in power. Even 53 years after the Liberation War, India has never shown itself to be a trusted ally. We are not enemies of India, but those who have come to power in India have acted with hostility toward us. They have sought to harm us, but we have not sought to harm them."
Addressing India, Professor Mia Golam Parwar said: "India's economic interests far outweigh its concern for Bangladesh's connectivity, economy, or military infrastructure. Massive projects have been imposed on Bangladesh, benefiting India while the work is carried out in Bangladesh. Agreements, initiatives, and trade dealings against Bangladesh’s interests have been made over these 53 years."
The discussion meeting was presided over by Mohammad Nurul Islam Bulbul, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka Metropolitan South and member of the Central Executive Council. It was also attended by Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South and a member of Jamaat’s Central Working Committee, among others.
