‘Who killed the intellectuals?’

BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque (Noakhali-2)
yesterday questioned Jamaat-e-Islami’s stance during the 1971 Liberation War
and asked who carried out the killings of intellectuals on the eve of victory.
The MP said this during a discussion in the parliament on proposed budget for
2026-27 fiscal year.
“I do not wish to inflame the House with arguments. I
only want to say this: judge yourselves for where you stood in 1971. We need
not remind you. Just look toward the Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in
Mirpur,” MP Zainul said.
“Who carried
out those killings on the eve of independence? Who tried to render Bangladesh
brainless? Reflect on that,” he also said, referring to the killing of
luminaries by the collaborators of Pakistan Army in the days ahead of December
16, 1971 to cripple the future nation intellectually.
Zainul said it is because of the freedom fighters who
fought and won independence that the finance minister can present today’s
budget.
“Therefore, through you [Speaker], I humbly request:
at least increase the allowance for freedom fighters, so that your name is
inscribed in golden letters in Bangladesh’s history,” he added.
Zainul also referred to the July uprising martyrs and
injured, saying they should be remembered, but stressed that the legacy of 1971
should not be forgotten.
















