BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has criticized Jamaat-e-Islami’s recent statement claiming to be a patriotic force alongside the army, calling it "ridiculous" and questioning their contribution during the 1971 Liberation War.
Speaking at an event organised by "Amra BNP Paribar" in Sylhet’s Humayun Rashid Square on Thursday, Rizvi demanded answers about Jamaat’s role in the war. "Which sector did Jamaat fight in during the Liberation War, and under which sector commander? The nation wants to know," he said.
Rizvi dismissed Jamaat’s claim as baseless, emphasizing that patriotism requires action. "The armed forces have consistently demonstrated patriotism, but Jamaat’s claim of being a patriotic political force is laughable," he remarked.
Rizvi further highlighted the contributions of late President Ziaur Rahman, stating, "Ziaur Rahman did not stop at declaring independence; he fought in the war. His role in the Liberation War must be included in textbooks."
Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP National Standing Committee, echoed Rizvi’s sentiments, emphasising Zia’s legacy as a symbol of patriotism and criticizing Jamaat’s assertions. "True patriots are those who stood for independence in 1971. History has already shown who truly passed the test of patriotism," Zahid said.
Rizvi also criticized the Hasina government, calling for accountability for crimes committed during its tenure.
The comments were made in response to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s statement during a 23 December roadshow in Rangpur, where he claimed, "There are two tested patriotic forces in the country: the army and Jamaat-e-Islami."
