The issue of war crime

The collective voice against the participation of alleged war criminals in the national election has been louder this year than before. It is indeed refreshing news that voters, especially women and the young, have become more informed of the crimes committed against the freedom loving people during the 1971 War of Liberation. The more they learned about their atrocities, such as rape, looting of property, torching of houses and shooting down unarmed men, women and children, the more they were able to relate to the pain and anguish of the people. The graphic details of terror perpetrated by war criminals in support of the Pakistani occupation forces that were shown on various media have instilled a sense of profound abhorrence in the people in general.
Many religion-based political parties continue to carry the legacy of a deep wound they had inflicted on the nation 37 years ago in a bid to abort the birth of Bangladesh. Instead of allowing the wound to heal properly, they often find occasions to undermine the cause through releasing offensive comments. Surprisingly, after having been reinstated in politics, such parties never expressed regret for their role or apologised to the people.
In this connection we would like to comment why a party like Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, following the tradition of the recognised political culture, cannot admit the crimes of its leaders and thus clean its conscience once and for all, especially when they have recognised the Liberation War in their constitution. Far from doing so, this party has chosen to keep the war criminals under its folds and misguide its supporters with confusing statements. It beats any logic why the party is keen on carrying the liability at the cost of public support.
This however needs to be said in clear language that our stand is not against any political party. But our conviction about the necessity that those who worked against the birth of Bangladesh should not have any part in its leadership and governance remains.