The word ‘Razakar’ is a bitter truth for Jamaat. At this point, Jamaat can be compared to the American deep state—because it has become apparent to politically aware citizens that the government moves in the direction Jamaat dictates. Within just a one-hour ultimatum, Jamaat, using its B-team NCP (Nationalist Citizens’ Platform), staged a drama of “putting pressure” on Yunus and managed to get the Awami League’s activities banned. This has made it clear to all political quarters that Jamaat now has authority over the government.
Goyeshwar Chandra Roy posed a critical question: “Who can guarantee that BNP won’t be banned after the Awami League?” Jamaat wasted no time in showing that there really is no such guarantee.
BNP’s Central Information Secretary Azizul Bari Helal referred to Jamaat as the “defeated force of 1971” in a talk show—a historically accurate statement. Jamaat was a major collaborator with the Pakistani occupiers responsible for the genocide of 3 million people. They were also complicit in the sexual violence against 200,000 women. Among the victims, the majority were Muslims, because Pakistan’s goal was genocide and subjugation, not religious division. They raped without distinguishing between Hindus and Muslims. Their aim was to produce children who would grow up loyal to their Pakistani fathers. So regardless of religion, it is Jamaat-e-Islami, the unholy party of Golam Azam, that must be held responsible.
Yet today, Jamaat seems to be running the government of Bangladesh. Open threats are being made in the media, declaring that discussing the genocide of 1971 or calling Jamaat “Razakar” or the defeated force is no longer permissible. If anyone dares, they will face the same fate as the Awami League. Jamaat’s Central Shura Committee member and Dhaka South Jamaat’s Secretary General Shafiqul Islam Masud has even gone so far as to tell BNP to prepare to leave the country.
Following the banning of the Awami League’s activities, a systematic attempt to silence all pro-Liberation voices is now underway. One such example occurred in another talk show on Channel i, where a speaker began to discuss the atrocities committed by the Razakars in 1971. Suddenly, another participant, branding the speaker as a fascist sympathizer, yelled “shut up.” That same individual then questioned the figure of 3 million martyrs. This clearly reveals that he does not acknowledge the Liberation War or even the existence of Bangladesh.
Can the voice of those who fought tanks, cannons, warships, and airstrikes for 9 months be silenced with a “shut up”? No—and it wasn’t. The pro-Liberation speaker retorted: “You’re supporting Jamaat, you’re a Razakar, you’re a killer of our 3 million martyrs.”
Even if the country has fallen into the dark hands of the defeated forces, truth will prevail one day. Freedom of speech and democracy will return. Until then, watch how far these anti-national forces stoop—and organize yourselves. Victory will come, and evil will be defeated.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu
References:
Channel i
Threat to BNP to leave the country
