Partners of the Awami League-led 14-party ruling alliance on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict against former Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Ghulam Azam saying it is not acceptable.
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (ML) general secretary Dilip Barua expressed the displeasure as they had expected capital punishment of the ‘war criminal’.
“People’s expectation has not been reflected on the verdict as he was not awarded the death penalty,” Dilip Barua told UNB.
Barua, also the Industries Minister, said the government should appeal against the verdict.
He, however, said Jamaat leaders had thought that the government would not be able to try the war criminals. “They’ve been proved wrong.”
Menon said, “I’m not happy at all. It can’t be acceptable. Only for old age, one can’t be sparred from awarding the capital punishment.”
Terming Ghulam Azam a notorious criminal, Inu said he was supposed to get the death sentence. “I’m not happy with this verdict.”
Meanwhile, Dhaka University professor Muntasir Mamun said people might get frustrated, but there is no reason to be aggrieved with the verdict.
“However, staying in jail for 90 years isn’t a matter of joy,” Muntasir, one of the witnesses to the case said.
Jahangirnagar University Vice Chancellor Dr Anwar Hossain also voiced frustration as Ghulam Azam was not awarded death penalty.