Khaleda's remarks slated in JS

The House yesterday witnessed ruling alliance lawmakers condemning opposition leader
Khaleda Zia for her “derogatory” remarks against the ongoing trial of the top leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, now under arrest on charges of committing crimes against humanity during the country's Liberation War in 1971.
Participating in the more than two and half-hour long discussion, ruling alliance lawmakers accused the former prime minister of obstructing the trial of the war criminals through her campaign in the name of road marches.
Amid the absence of MPs belonging to BNP-led opposition parties, the ruling alliance deputies also demanded legal action against the BNP chief for contempt of court as well as of parliament.
At her recent rallies in Bogra and Chapainawabganj, the BNP chief claimed that Jamaat leaders Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Delwar Hossain Sayedee and BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury had not been linked with anti-liberation forces.
Instead, Khaleda said at the time, those who had signed deals against the interest of the nation were anti-liberation elements. Furthermore, she had termed the ongoing trial of war criminals 'politically motivated'.
Ruling Awami League lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta kicked off the blistering attack on the opposition leader. In an explanatory note tagged with his notice, Suranjit said the opposition leader had undermined the spirit of the Liberation War, obstructed the trial of war criminals and committed contempt of court by siding with the war criminals now facing trial on the charge of committing crimes against humanity.
It may be recalled that five days into its inauguration, the House unanimously adopted a resolution on January 29, 2009 calling on the government to ensure immediate trial of the war criminals.
“Khaleda along with fundamentalists, Islamic terrorists and militants has declared war against a democratic and secular power, which is a criminal offence,” he said.
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon echoed Suranjit's views and said the apex court could initiate contempt proceedings against the opposition leader.
Menon also demanded that the House take action against Khaleda for contempt of parliament as she had undermined the January 29 resolution on the trial of war criminals.
“It's unfortunate that the two times prime minister took stance against the trial of war criminals,” Finance Minister AMA Muhith said.
Coming down heavily on the opposition leader, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury was emphatic: “You are the mother of anti-liberation forces.”
Matia said people would reject Khaleda and her dreams of coming back to power with the support of Jamaat would not be fulfilled.
Demanding action against Khaleda for undermining the House's resolution, Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui said, “She cannot be allowed to say what she wishes.”
State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Qamrul Islam said,“We can file cases against Khaleda Zia on the charge of treason every day for her derogatory remarks on the International Crimes Tribunal.”