The member of parliament for the Cumilla-6 constituency, Md Monirul Haque Chowdhury, on Saturday criticised what he described as a growing tendency to equate the 1971 War of Independence with the 2024 mass uprising, saying that living freedom fighters were being unfairly questioned.

‘Some freedom fighters who are still alive are being questioned in society because the War of Independence and the 2024 uprising are being put in the same bracket. Are these the same thing?’ he said.

The lawmaker made the remarks in the Jatiya Sangsad while taking part in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the president’s address.

Monirul specifically addressed the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party, urging political leaders to act with responsibility and restraint.

He warned against political excesses, recalling the formation of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal - Jasad by a group of intellectuals after independence.

‘After independence, a section of talented people formed Jasad. In the course of their excesses, the country suffered, the nation suffered, and they too suffered. I hope that you will have the wisdom to absorb and reflect on these lessons,’ he said.

Monirul also acknowledged the contributions of younger leaders, particularly from the NCP, describing them as courageous and reflective of the demands of the current era.

Turning to Jamaat-e-Islami, he highlighted the party’s collaboration with the BNP, noting that despite political differences, Khaleda Zia had shown patience and cooperated with Jamaat in difficult circumstances.

He said that when Jamaat leaders spoke and raised questions, it seemed as though the BNP had not existed in the country for the past 15 or 20 years.

Monirul cautioned against treating the BNP as a political adversary in the way Jasad had once regarded the Awami League as its sole opponent.

He said that after the end of a fascist regime, the holding of a fair election and the convening of parliament despite numerous crises, Jamaat-e-Islami should be among those expressing gratitude.

‘In 1952, the question was which language we would speak. Today, the question seems to be whether we will speak at all. I sometimes feel afraid of speaking in this House,’ he said.

Monirul added that, in the past, he had a clear idea of whom he was speaking against, but now he still could not fully recognise those sitting in the opposition.