Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed satisfaction with Ghulam Azam’s verdict despite anger and criticism from different quarters for his not getting maximum punishment for his war crimes.
Her reaction comes amidst the furore the verdict has generated with both the Islamists and staunch secularists rejecting it as ‘unfair’ or ‘inadequate’.
“That an International Crimes Tribunal has delivered the verdict makes us satisfied,” she said in Parliament on Tuesday during her closing remarks.
“What the punishment will be is entirely a court matter. We don’t want to comment on that. We’re happy the sentence, the punishment handed down.”
International Crimes Tribunal-1 found former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam guilty of all five charges levelled against him but gave him 90 years in prison considering his age and failing health.
Thousands erupted in protests rejecting the verdict saying it was “too little, too late” for a man who was responsible for such an orgy of hate and violence during the Liberation War in 1971.
Several groups of protesters called for strikes on Tuesday demanding maximum penalty for Azam.
Awami League President Hasina said, “What matters is that we got a verdict. Our efforts have finally paid off.”
However, earlier in the day, ruling party ally Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said Azam’s getting away with “life in jail” has given rise to questions among the people.
He urged the government to appeal against the verdict.
The Prime Minister told Parliament, “Today war criminals are being punished– this is the result of our long-drawn efforts. Our party will implement this verdict within this tenure of the government. It will be executed, In shaa Allah.”
Earlier at the beginning of the session, Menon had expressed his disappointment for Ghulam Azam not getting capital punishment and said the verdict has created doubt in the minds of the people.
He proposed that an appeal be filed against the verdict, “All is well, if it ends well. But we have stumbled. The people are now in doubts.”
But Hasina said, “There are many who blame Awami League. But we would not have to wait 42 years for justice if the war criminals were rejected when Zia brought them back.”
“ I don’t want to discuss at this juncture as to who had joined hands with the BNP and became close to Zia. We have all their support now, so we will be able to execute the verdicts.”
She stated that verdict has held Jamaat-e-Islami responsible for war crimes in 1971.
“With a lot of risk and under tremendous pressures from national and international groups we initiated the trials. Those who are associated with the tribunals are discharging their duties with a lot of risk to their lives. Despite all these we are getting verdicts. Justice will be done. This is a big achievement for the nation.”
“Jamaat called the strike as soon as it came to know that the verdict would be pronounced. In support of the strike BNP abstained from Parliament.
“They did not even come today (Tuesday) after hearing the verdict. From this the BNP chief’s support for Ghulam Azam and war crimes has become very clear. I request the people of the nation to ponder about those people who support war criminals.”
The entire nation would despise the opposition for abstaining from Parliament in support of war criminals, the Prime Minister observed.
“What have you not done to save these war criminals? You attacked the homes of religious minorities, raided Buddhist temples,” the Prime Minister said, addressing the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Holding a picture of the Qurans, burnt during Hifazat-e Islam’s mayhem in May, Hasina said, “See how they have burned the Qurans. This brings tears to my eyes.”
‘Leave Shafi’s side’
Hasina again criticised Hifazat leader Shah Ahmad Shafi for making ‘disdainful’ comments about women.
“We knew him as an Islamic thinker. But what he says is shameful.”
Ahmad Shafi recently in a sermon at Chittagong’s Hathazari said women should only be allowed to study until the fourth grade. He condemned co-education and said women should be confined at home.
The video of the sermon went viral in the social media. It created uproar as various platforms posted their strong protests, terming his comments ‘distasteful’.
Hasina continued: “Should women sit at home? Women who work in garment factories – can they do that?
“How can the Leader of the Opposition support him? She wants to be his tamarind. Then there is nothing I can say here.”
She advised Khaleda to leave Shafi’s side and work for women’s development.
The Awami League chief recalled incidents that took place during BNP’s past tenure – the murders of Shah AMS Kibria and Ahsanullah Master, the grenade attack on Aug 21, 2004 and the Aug 17 series bombings in 2005.
“There was an attempt to have me killed … the brother of the accused was rewarded and made Chhatra Dal’s President.”
Hasina said 600 members of the ruling party’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League were arrested during the time of this government.
“We don’t and will not patronise crimes. There are some who fall under ‘permanent government party’. They join with whichever party that is in power. Some take them in without knowing.”
The Awami League President claimed the murderers of Old Dhaka tailor Biswajit Das wanted to join Chhatra League.
“They were expelled from Chhatra League a long time ago. Those who killed Biswajit, their families have ties with Jamaat and BNP.”
The Prime Minister said no other Election Commission was able to work so independently in the past. “We respect the trend of democracy. We want it to continue.”
All the 5,000 elections, local and by-elections, that took place under the tenure of this government were free and fair said the Prime minister.
“We are in government. A lot among us have been defeated in polls. We accepted it. No-one was able to make a single accusation about the elections.”
She said all measures have been taken so the Election Commission can work independently.
The Prime Minister said the budget for the new financial year is ‘right’ for the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh.
“We will not get a lot of time to implement this budget. But we will if the people vote us back to power and let us serve them again.”
She also thanked the opposition for returning to Parliament after staying away from it for a long time and taking part in the discussions.
At the same time, she said, “Some of the statements were dirty and lacked taste. But despite that it is good that they joined the discussion.”
Hasina said the newly elected Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has ‘skilfully’ directed the parliament session.
Source: Bd news24