Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury has hailed BNP chief Khaleda Zia on her comments doubting the number of the martyrs in Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka on Friday, he said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had initiated a move in 1971 to determine the number of martyrs.
“The BNP chief has brought the matter to the forefront again. (You) have highlighted Sheikh Mujib, rising above meanness. That’s why I would like to thank you,” said Chowdhury, who is a leader of pro-BNP professionals.
He identified the BNP’s weaknesses in publicity and advised the party chief to take up a countrywide visit to correct the situation.
At an event on Dec 21, Khaleda had expressed her doubts on the Liberation War’s death toll, claiming that the number of martyrs was debatable.
“There is a debate about how many hundreds of thousands were martyred in the Liberation War. Different books give different accounts,” she said.
Her remarks triggered sharp reactions from various quarters, with several lawsuits filed against her at different places in the country.
A number of organisations, including Ekattorer Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee, demanded an apology from the BNP chief over her remarks.
Chowdhury said at the Friday discussion, “A major virtue of Mujib Bhai (Bangabandhu) was his generosity. He felt the necessity of determining the actual number of those killed in the Liberation War.”
“After assuming office, he formed a committee headed by Dr Sattar to determine the number of deaths in the Liberation War. Dr Sattar’s junior Mr Asafuddoula is still alive. He was on the committee and knew about the remit of the committee,” he said.
He advised Asafuddoula to come up with a statement on the matter.
The Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder said Bangabandhu had formed another 10-member committee, headed by then inspector general of police Abdur Rahim, to determine the number of those killed and wounded in the war.
“We had forgotten about the matter,” he said, adding that Khaleda Zia had brought it to the forefront again.
Chowdhury, who was earlier penalised by the International Crimes Tribunal for contempt of court, said, “Khaleda has tried to highlight the move that our Mujib Bhai had initiated, rising above meanness.”