BNP Standing Committee member Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed today spokes at Jatiya Press Club auditorium. Photo :BSS

DHAKA, Jan 09, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed today said none will be allowed to tarnish the legacy of Liberation War or divide its spirit as the Liberation War is above all.

“A quarter is trying to give the mass uprising a status above independence. We cannot compare anything with the Liberation War or the struggle for independence,” he told a rally at Jatiya Press Club auditorium.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal organized the rally titled “The Liberation War of 1971 is the Nation’s Greatest Pride of Thousand Years”.

Noting that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is justifying its role in 1971 instead of apologizing to the people for its role in 1971, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, ‘Our attention was drawn to a statement made a few days ago. It was said by Jamaat-e-Islami; only the army and Jamaat-e-Islami are patriotic forces in this country. We are hurt by this statement.”

“Bangladesh Army participated in the Liberation War.  It was formed through the Liberation War and they became the army of the people and liberated the country by participating in the Liberation War,” he said.

Hafiz Uddin said “This army was formed by martyred President Ziaur Rahman. Under his leadership, the soldiers and officers of the then East Bengal Regiment and EPR formed it.”
This senior BNP leader said Bangladesh Army does not need anyone’s certificate. “Whether they are patriotic or not—their role in 1971, their current role, each role bears witness. They have always been by the people's side and will be in   future too,” he said.

He expressed his concern saying the steel-solid unity formed among political parties may crack due to the statement of Jamaat.

Bangladesh Jatiaytabadi Muktijoddha Dal President Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat presided over the meeting, which was attended, among others by BNP Chairperson’s advisers Zainul Abdin Farroque and Abdus Salam.