Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami accepted its role in opposing Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 by not voting against a law that retained its name in the definition of freedom fighters, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has claimed.
He said Jamaat had demanded that its name be removed from the definition during the amendment process, but none of its lawmakers voted against the legislation when it was passed in parliament.
“Jamaat indirectly accepted that role in 1971 by not voting ‘no’, by participating in the parliamentary process,” Asaduzzaman said.
He made the remarks at the publication ceremony of a book titled "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: Its History and Politics" at Lakeshore Grand in Dhaka on Friday.
Written by former Jamaat assistant secretary general Barrister Abdur Razzaq, the book was published by University Press Limited (UPL).
Razzaq had earlier called on Jamaat to apologize to the nation for its role in the crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War. He discussed the position in his book.
Jamaat sought removal of its name
Asaduzzaman said the National Freedom Fighters Council Act 2022 defines freedom fighters as those who opposed and fought against the Pakistan Army, Pakistani occupying forces, Razakar, Al-Badr, Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League and Nezam-e-Islami Party for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
He said amendments were brought to the law in 2025 and the issue was discussed during the 2026 parliamentary process.
“On behalf of the party, it was said whether Jamaat’s name could be removed from here,” he said.
“We said we cannot deny the historical truth.”
Following discussions, the wording was changed to “then Jamaat-e-Islami”, “then Muslim League” and “then Nezam-e-Islam”, he said.
The amended law was later placed before parliament, where lawmakers could vote for or against it.
“No member of Jamaat-e-Islami voted ‘no’ on this. This is recorded. Jamaat did not vote ‘no’,” Asaduzzaman said.
‘Many questions would have been resolved’
The minister said Razzaq had drafted a statement in 2016 seeking to bring Jamaat’s role in 1971 before the nation.
“If Jamaat had signed Razzaq Sahib’s statement in 2016, many questions concerning Jamaat would have been resolved,” he said.
Asaduzzaman said he could disagree with Razzaq’s thinking on establishing an Islamic state but acknowledged the values and political thought reflected in the book.
He described the book as “an encyclopedia of a living person”, saying it reflected how Razzaq had viewed society and developed his philosophy of life.
‘This is democracy’
Asaduzzaman said he had expected Jamaat’s leading lawyers and leaders to attend the discussion but none were present.
“This is their weakness, this is their failure, this is their narrowness and limitations,” he said.
He said Jamaat leaders could have attended and disagreed with the book.
“This is democracy. You do not have to agree with everything Razzaq Sahib says, just as it is not right that you cannot accept his criticism,” he said.
The minister also noted that the book contains criticism of the BNP.
“Fine, we have to accept it. If we cannot accommodate this, we will not be able to move forward with society,” he said.
Various local and foreign academics, researchers, lawyers and other relevant people attended the event.
