WorldPosted at: Sep 18 2026 10:11PM


Bangladesh Law Minister claims Jamaat accepts its role in Liberation War was wrong

Dhaka, Sep 18 (UNI) Bangladesh Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami had indirectly accepted that its role and position during the 1971 Liberation War were wrong.
The minister said Jamaat had sought the removal of its name from the legal definition of those who opposed Pakistani forces during the Liberation War, but none of the party's lawmakers voted against the amended 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 said the National Freedom Fighters Council Act 2022 defined freedom fighters as those who opposed and fought against the Pakistan Army, Pakistani occupying forces and groups including Razakar, Al-Badr, Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League and Nezam-e-Islami Party during the struggle for Bangladesh's independence.
The law was amended in 2025, with the issue discussed during the 2026 parliamentary process. Asaduzzaman said Jamaat had asked whether its name could be removed from the definition.
"We said we cannot deny the historical truth," he said.
Following discussions, the wording was changed to refer to "then Jamaat-e-Islami", "then Muslim League" and "then Nezam-e-Islam", according to the minister.
The amended legislation was subsequently placed before parliament, where lawmakers could vote for or against it. Asaduzzaman said no Jamaat lawmaker voted against the measure.
"No member of Jamaat-e-Islami voted 'no' on this. This is recorded. Jamaat did not vote 'no'," he said.
The minister also referred to a statement drafted by Razzaq in 2016 calling on Jamaat to acknowledge its role in 1971 and apologise to the nation.
"If Jamaat had signed Razzaq Sahib's statement in 2016, many questions concerning Jamaat would have been resolved," he said. Razzaq had made repeated efforts to persuade Jamaat's leadership to issue an apology over the party's position during the Liberation War, according to accounts surrounding his posthumous memoir.
Asaduzzaman said he disagreed with Razzaq's views on establishing an Islamic state but praised the values, political ideas and social outlook reflected in the book. He described it as an "encyclopedia of a living person", saying it reflected how Razzaq viewed society and developed his philosophy of life.
The minister also criticised the absence of Jamaat's senior lawyers and leaders from the event, saying they could have attended the event and personally challenged the arguments presented in 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.
He noted that the book also contains criticism of the BNP, saying differing opinions and criticism had to be accommodated in a democratic society.
"If we cannot accommodate this, we will not be able to move forward with society," he said.
UNI ANV CDS
Tags: #Bangladesh Law Minister claims Jamaat accepts its role in Liberation War was wrong
More News

Trump tightens H-1B scrutiny, renews $100,000 fee for some visas

19 Sep 2026 | 3:20 PM

Washington, Sep 19 (UNI) The Trump administration tightened scrutiny of H-1B visa applications from employers that have recently laid off or plan to lay off similarly situated US workers, while renewing a $100,000 fee requirement for certain H-1B petitions.

see more..

US, Denmark and Greenland reach ‘permanent’ security deal, paving way for bigger US military presence

19 Sep 2026 | 2:15 PM

Washington, Sep 19 (UNI) US President Donald Trump said the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that would provide Washington a "permanent security control" in the strategically important Arctic territory, expand the US military presence there and bars non-NATO countries from establishing bases or maintaining troops on the island.

see more..

21 killed, including 15 police officials, in suicide bombing in Pakistan

19 Sep 2026 | 1:09 AM

Islamabad, Sep 18 (UNI) At least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were killed and over 100 injured on Friday when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque, followed by terrorists storming the compound and attacking police facilities, in Kohat Police Lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, according to police officials.

see more..

Australia says current priority with EU remains securing trade agreement after European Parliament President suggests associate member status

18 Sep 2026 | 11:20 PM

Canberra/Brussels, Sep 18 (UNI) After European Parliament President Roberta Metsola suggested that Australia and New Zealand could also be considered for "associate membership" of the European union following the bloc's invitation to Canada, Australia has said its immediate priority remains concluding a long-awaited trade agreement with Europe.

see more..

Trump preparing for possible meeting with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez next week

18 Sep 2026 | 11:16 PM

Washington, Sep 18 (UNI) US President Donald Trump is preparing for a possible first face-to-face meeting with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez as early as next week, according to people familiar with the discussions cited by Axios.

see more..