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Try Golam Azam as a war criminal, demands opposition

By Staff Correspondent
The opposition members in the Jattya Sangsad yesterday demanded that the government clarify its position on the Golam Azam issue.
The opposition members taking part in the discussion on the Golam Azam issue in the Jattya Sangsad termed his election as Jamaat chief illegal and unconstitutional.
They demanded his trial for his active collaboration with the occupation army in unleashing genocide against the people of Bangladesh In 1071.
The Jamaat MPs, however, tried to defend their position saying there was nothing Illegal in electing Golam Azam party chief while a ruling party
MP found nothing wrong tn forgiving hint for his past rote.
The Jaliya Sangsad MS), following four separate adjournment motions moved by the opposition MPs earher. picked up the issue for a two hour debate.
With three opposition MPs staging walkout and eight Mi's taking part in the discussion, the House spent one hour yesterday afternoon while another hour would be spent next Sunday afternoon.
Golam Azam lost his citizenship in 1972 for collaborating with the Pakistani occupation forces during the country's War of Independence in 1971.
He was allowed entry Into the country by the then government reportedly to see his ailing mother and has since been slaying. He used Pakistani passport io get the entry permission.
The Jamaat e-lslaml Bangla desh elected him chief on December 29 last.
The four JS members who moved the adjournment motion on the issue include Shamsul lloque of Awaml League (AL). Rashed Khan Menon of Workers Parly. Aztzur Rahaman and Abdul Awal Miah of AL.
Azlzur Rahaman, however, was not present In the House yesterday.
Tofacl Ahmed, Abdur Razzak and Mohluddln Ahnx-d of AL. Sheikh Ansar All and Ruhul Kuddus of Jamaat and Abdul Latif Miah of ruling BNP among others took part in the discussion.
Expressing surprise over the election of Gokun
Azam as the chief of Jamaat Shamsul Haque wanted to know how a foreigner could be elected the chief of a party involved in the political process of Bangladesh while government went for legal action against other foreigners desiring the same.
It was further surprising, he continued, the government was overlooking a foreigner's becoming a party chief who was Involved In the genocide during the War of Liberation.
Taking the floor Rashed Khan Menon accused Jamaat of violating the Constitution of the country by electing Ooiam Azam as Its chief.
He said, it was not only a constitutional question. Il also Involved a crucial political issue too. He maintained Golam Azam was rightly dented his citizenship of the country as he had not only actively opposed the War of Liberation, he had also been campaigning against the country for a long period even after the Independence.
Menon argued Golam Azam, a Pakistani citizen, formed the 'East Pakistan Restoration Committee' after the independence of Bangladesh and applied all means In pursuing some foreign countries to refrain from Bangladesh as an independent state.
He demanded the government try Golam Azam as a war criminal.
Charged with emotion Abdul Awal Miah said II was very unfortunate for him as well as for the Speaker that they had to discuss such an issue.
Referring to the Article 38 of the Constitution he said, the right for forming association and unions is guaranteed only for the citizens of the country. As Golam Azam Is not the citizen of the country, the question of his involvement in the country's political process does not arise at all. the AL MP said.
Tofael Ahmed, referring lo Golam Azam's pioneering role in Ihe formalion of al-Badr which had indulged in killing thousands of freedom loving people of Bangladesh, said he must be excelled from the country.
Tofacl said amnesty in 1972 was not applicable for ihosc tnvolved In arson, loot and rape.
It was unfortunate that Jamaal did not dare to provide Golam Azam its membership even during the reign of autocratic Ershad. said Tofael adding it has dared to do II under the democratic rule of Khaleda Zia.
He was very critical of late president Ziaur Rahman for his attempts' to rehabilitate the anti-Liberation forces in politics. Zia betrayed the spirit of Liberation War. he said
Abdur Razzak said that the Golam Azam issue Involved not only the legal question, it had a genuine emotional aspect too.
The government must clarify Its stance on the Issue, Razzak said.
"He urged the government to try Golam Azam as a war criminal since he is now within our reach."
Abdul Latif Miah of BNP said. "What’s wrong In forgiv Ing a man even if be had committed a crime in the past and accommodating him
Mohluddln Ahmed of AL accused the BNP of patronising Jamaat tn exchange of support tn forming the government. He demanded trial of Golam Azam
Sheikh Ansar All and Ruhul Kuddus of Jamaat. In a bid to defend their position, said Professor Azam was a citizen of the country by birth.
They, however, argued why the successive governments did not try him In absentia If Golam Azam committed any crime against the people of the country.
The Chief Whip of the ru! ing party Dehstar Hossain, when asked by the Speaker whether the Treasury Bench would say something on this Issue, said they preferred to listen to the opposition members. We shall speak on the issue later, he commented.
The three members who stageed walkout orotesUng the Speaker's refusal to let them speak during the discussion were Shajahan Slraj of JSD, and Independents, Nurul Islam Monl and Major (Retd) 1 laflzuddin Ahmed.
Sheikh Haslna, Awaml League Chief and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, entered the House at 5-15 pni. few minutes before the ad journment motion on Golam Azam was accepted by the Speaker for the debate. She, however, did not take part in the discussion.
The I louse was adjourned at 6-50 pm yesterday till 3 pm today (Thursday), a Private Members' Day.