Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, popularly known as Charmonai Pir, has strongly condemned the killing of intellectuals during the Liberation War, calling it a “heinous conspiracy” aimed at making the nation intellectually deficient.
In a statement issued on 13 December, he emphasised the importance of Martyrs’ Intellectuals Day, which remembers the tragic massacre of the country’s brightest minds on 14 December 1971.
“On this day in 1971, as victory neared, the targeted killing of the nation’s intellectuals was a calculated and planned act,” Pir Saheb Charmonai said.
“The anti-national forces sought to strip the nation of its intellectual resources and weaken its future.”
The Islamic Movement of Bangladesh expressed deep respect for the martyrs, praying for their forgiveness and urging the nation to honor their sacrifice.
Pir Saheb Charmonai also pointed out that the killings, which continued throughout 1971, culminated in the massacre of intellectuals on 14 December, just after the country’s independence.
He criticised the new government for failing to investigate the murders properly and for not identifying the perpetrators. Despite a trial in 2013, the issue remains contentious.
The Islamic Movement of Bangladesh has called for a fair, unbiased, and thorough investigation into the killings, demanding that the criminal networks involved be brought to justice.
“Otherwise, as a nation, we will remain accountable before history,” Pir Saheb Charmonai warned.
To observe Martyrs’ Intellectuals Day, the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh will organise prayers and discussion meetings across the country tomorrow, honoring the contributions and legacy of the martyrs.
