The fruits of Bangladesh’s hard-won independence never reached its people, said Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqul IslaRahmanm, claiming that a clique hijacked the achievement and handed it over to India.
Speaking on Tuesday (31 December), at the central members' conference of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at the Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, he made these remarks.
Dr Shafiqul Rahman asserted, “In 1971, this nation attained independence, but the essence of that liberation has wept in anguish ever since. The fruits of independence did not reach the homes of Bangladesh’s people. A group hijacked it and handed it to another country—India. The glaring evidence of this is that, on 16 December, the prime minister of the neighbouring country extended greetings on Victory Day, crediting Indian soldiers and generals, declaring it India’s Victory Day.”
Highlighting the alleged misuse of educational institutions, the Jamaat leader accused the Awami League of seizing control of the nation's schools and colleges akin to occupying territories.
“Our tender-hearted girls' educational institutions were desecrated. Saying this breaks my heart; it humbles my head in shame. Words cannot fully convey the extent of the atrocities inflicted upon our daughters,” he said.
He further questioned, “The Awami League belonged to this nation; why were they so vengeful towards their own people, particularly the student community? Students, in every society, stand against oppression, tyranny, and corruption. They never accept injustice or misrule. That is why the student community has repeatedly protested, including in 2018, and again in 2024. They were deceived repeatedly, and when that failed, force was applied to suppress them, with many losing their lives.”
Addressing leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir and other student organisations, Dr Shafiqul Rahman called for a renewed struggle to restore the integrity of educational institutions.
“Another war lies ahead for you—the war to repair our education system. As education is the backbone of the nation, you must vow that no machete-wielding groups, no cannabis users, nor those involved in coercive dormitory politics, will infiltrate educational institutions. These places must be sanctuaries of learning. If this is achieved, Bangladesh’s future will rise anew, Inshallah.”
He added, “If you can rebuild educational institutions in this manner, then the sacrifices of 2024 will be fully justified. But if these institutions are not reformed, this nation will continue to lose its way. It is your duty to guide this lost nation back to the right path. In this fight, we stand with you. Just as we stood by you until 36 July, we pledge to remain with you in the days ahead.”
The conference, presided over by Islami Chhatra Shibir President Manjurul Islam, was conducted by Secretary General Zahidul Islam.
The event also featured speeches by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, National Citizen Committee Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, and other leaders from various tiers of the organisation.
