Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman accused India of dividing the nation into pro-independence forces, anti-independence forces, majorities, and minorities, claiming that this fragmentation was intended to make the nation easier to dominate.
Addressing India, he further said: "We want you to live in peace. Let us also live in peace. We do not ask about what you are cooking in your kitchen, but do not try to peek into ours. You preach communal harmony, but look at yourselves in the mirror first."
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a workers' conference organized by the Moulvibazar district chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday around 12:30pm.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman also said: "The Awami League began its killing spree even before coming to power. On October 28, 2006, they said it with logi-boitha (sticks and oars). On December 29, 2008, they reached an understanding through the backdoor and rigged the election to assume power. Once in power, they started a reign of murder. First, they conducted a massacre at Pilkhana, killing 57 patriotic and skilled army officers. They destroyed the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles), dismissing 17,500 members, imprisoning 8,500, and causing the deaths of 350 in prison."
Addressing India's treatment of minorities, Dr Shafiq said: "Sheikh Hasina, who sought refuge in India, should respect her neighbor. We want peace for you, but you must also let us live in peace. Do not interfere in our affairs. You speak of communal harmony, but look at how you treat your so-called minorities."
Referring to Awami League leader Obaidul Quader, he said: "Obaidul Quader used to mockingly claim that if Awami League lost power, BNP-Jamaat would kill half a million people in two days. Did such a massacre happen after January 5? No, because the accused are good people who have no hidden alliances abroad. This is our country, and we have no home elsewhere."
He alleged: "There was a conspiracy to destroy the BDR. They changed the proud name of our armed force to BGB, turning it into border guards. They altered the name and uniforms. The killers were allowed to flee under the cover of darkness. Why did a specific country’s plane arrive in Dhaka that day, and how did it vanish suddenly?"
Dr. Shafiq said: "The Awami League has spared no one. They started with Jamaat, then targeted BNP, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Islamic scholars. They have killed and abducted journalists and thrown them in prison."
