Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Opposition Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher claimed to be a “child freedom fighter’ during a parliament speech on Thursday, while criticising the ruling party’s aggressive behaviour and warning against the arrogance of a two-thirds majority.
“Those of us sitting here (Jamaat members), none of us were Razakars or Al-Badrs. If you talk about freedom fighters in that way, then I too am a child freedom fighter,” Taher said while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s speech. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad presided.
Taher said his family home was near the border and was quite large. “Those who were migrating to India would first come to our place and take shelter. We made arrangements for their food. Additionally, we kept watch to see whether the Pakistani army was patrolling.”
“When the soldiers were far away, we would guide people across to India. So, no other party has the reason to make this claim,” he added.
Criticising the aggressive behaviour of ruling party members, the deputy opposition leader said, “From their words and demeanour, it seems as if they are Awami League and we are BNP-Jamaat.”
“When Awami League was in power, the manner in which they used to speak against and condemn Jamaat, I am observing exactly the same behaviour from the treasury bench today. Yet, we all together fought against Awami League. After coming to power, why BNP is behaving like Awami League is beyond our comprehension,” he said.
Taher warned that the arrogance and consequences of a two-thirds majority can sometimes be devastating. “We have seen two-thirds majorities during the times of Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and even Shaheed Zia and Begum Zia. But the consequences were not always pleasant.”
“Having power often leads to a ‘we can do whatever we want’ mentality, which causes untoward incidents. I request the current government to learn from the past,” he said.
He said that although there was talk of consensus before the election, now parliament has a different picture and a “hostile environment, which will disappoint the nation.”
Regarding comments by Gayeshwar Chandra Roy that Jamaat did not issue any statement while Begum Khaleda Zia was in jail, Taher said, “This is absolutely false. We not only issued statements, but we also took out processions on the streets for her release.”
Taher recalled that in 1991, BNP formed the government with Jamaat’s cooperation. “Although we were offered ministerial positions, we did not take them. We have deep respect for our Madam (Khaleda Zia). On the day of Abdul Quader Mollah’s execution, I went to Madam’s house to request a statement. Madam always had sympathy for Jamaat.”
He said past conflicts between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir have damaged relations. “In 1996, we contested elections separately, and everyone knows the consequences. Even now, there is tension on some campuses. Both the government and the opposition need to be cautious to maintain a healthy political environment.”
