Condolence for ‘war criminals’ in parliament sparks outrage

Different political parties, organisations, and individuals have protested against the adoption of a condolence motion in the first session of parliament in the name of “war criminals.”

The Gonotantrik Jukta Front, a political alliance of left-leaning parties, has strongly condemned and protested the inclusion of the names of individuals convicted of war crimes in the condolence motion on the first day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament.

In a statement issued on Friday, the alliance leaders described the incident as "contrary to the spirit of the Liberation War."

The statement said that the parliamentary condolence motion included the names of several individuals convicted during the Awami League regime for their involvement in genocide during the 1971 Liberation War as members of the Al-Badr and Razakar forces. According to the alliance, such an initiative amounts to “disrespect for the national dignity of independent Bangladesh and the sacrifices of the martyrs of the Liberation War.”

The statement also alleged that during the playing of the national anthem inside parliament, some members hesitated to stand, which reflects a disregard for national dignity.

Leaders of the Gonotantrik Jukta Front further claimed that ATM Azharul Islam, who is known to have been convicted in a case of crimes against humanity, has been included in the panel of chairpersons of parliament, which they consider unacceptable. According to the alliance leaders, such a decision contradicts the dignity of parliament.

The statement added that the mass uprising of July-August 2024 was against discrimination and authoritarianism, not for the rehabilitation of forces opposed to the Liberation War.

They said, “The audacity shown by the political party Jamaat-e-Islami, which was involved in genocide, mass rape, and war crimes in 1971, and its members who carry its ideology and legacy, and their supporters in various parties by taking seats in the 13th National Parliament and accepting a condolence motion in the name of the convicted murderers and war criminals is unforgivable. The people of the country will never forget this.” Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad-Marxist) has strongly condemned and protested the adoption of a condolence motion in the first session of the 13th National Parliament in the name of recognised war criminals.

According to him, this act is a betrayal of the memory of the millions who were martyred in the Great Liberation War.

The Bangladesh Udichi Artists’ Association has angrily rejected the condolence motion, and condemned it. At the same time, the organisation has demanded punishment for the opposition MPs, accusing them of insulting the national anthem by not standing up during the national anthem.

In a statement, Udichi Central Committee acting president Mahmud Salim and General Secretary Amit Ranjan Dey said that disrespectful behaviour towards the national anthem is not acceptable in any way. “The national anthem is not just a song; it is a symbol of our Liberation War, sacrifice, and nationhood. Such behaviour undermines the constitutional values of the country and the dignity of the nation. There is also a constitutional obligation to show due respect to the national anthem,” they added.

Besides, forty-one poets, writers, journalists, researchers, and development workers from various professions have protested against the proposal to condole the Razakars, who were accused of crimes against humanity. They expressed their protest in a statement issued that day.

Their statement said, “We strongly demand the immediate withdrawal of this part of the condolence proposal from the minutes of the National Parliament. At the same time, we urge all concerned to be vigilant so that such controversial steps are not taken in parliament or any other state institution in the future.”

Besides, people from all walks of life on social media also protested and condemned the “disrespectful” attitude of the Jamaat and NCP MPs towards the national anthem in the parliament.