BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque on Saturday strongly criticised Jamaat-e-Islami lawmakers in Parliament over the party's role during the 1971 Liberation War and urged the government to increase allowances for freedom fighters.
Participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for FY2026-27, the BNP MP from Noakhali-2 questioned Jamaat's position during the Liberation War and referred to the killing of intellectuals in the final days before Bangladesh's independence.
"Judge yourselves. Where were you in 1971?" Farroque said, addressing Jamaat MPs.
"Look towards the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur. A day before independence, who wanted to deprive Bangladesh of its intellectuals? You should reflect on that."
Farroque said he had heard the call to join the Liberation War from the radio broadcast of President Ziaur Rahman and took part in the war."When we heard the call for war in the voice of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman on the radio, we were with this party. We left the university and joined the Liberation War.”
Acknowledging that many freedom fighters are now members of Jamaat, Farroque urged them to speak more about the Liberation War and support greater benefits for veterans.
"You have many freedom fighters in your party today. When you speak, you should also demand an increase in the allowances for freedom fighters," he said.
The BNP lawmaker said the nation would always remember those who were martyred and injured in the July uprising, but stressed that the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War must never be forgotten.
"We will certainly remember those who were martyred and injured in the July revolution. But we must never forget 1971," he said. "The Finance Minister has been able to present this budget because we achieved independence."
Farroque appealed to Finance Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to enhance budgetary allocations for freedom fighters.
"I respectfully request the Finance Minister to increase the allocation for freedom fighters so that your name is remembered in Bangladesh for this noble initiative," he said.
Farroque welcomed the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, praising Finance Minister's presentation and urging all parties to engage in constructive criticism to strengthen parliamentary democracy.
He lauded the Finance Minister for presenting what he described as a "beautiful budget" and also commended Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Leader of the House, and the Cabinet for approving the proposal.
The veteran BNP leader, who has served in Parliament over several terms, said he had witnessed many budget debates but found one aspect of this year's discussion particularly encouraging.
"After the budget was placed, there were no slogans of 'We reject it' or 'We won't accept it'," he said, appreciating the Opposition for participating in the debate while offering criticism.
Farroque urged opposition lawmakers to continue scrutinising the budget but said their criticism should remain constructive.
"The government will respond to criticism, but it should be constructive," he said, adding that Parliament should serve as a vibrant forum for discussion on all national issues.
He said the Opposition should examine the government's plans for economic stability, good governance and judicial independence through constructive debate.
Referring to past political experiences, Farroque said the country had witnessed periods when judicial independence was questioned expressing hope that the 13th Parliament would work collectively to strengthen the judiciary.
Praising the government's healthcare initiatives, Farroque welcomed the plan to upgrade 50-bed specialised hospitals into 100-bed facilities and thanked the Prime Minister, the Health Minister and the Finance Minister for allocating resources to improve healthcare services across rural Bangladesh.
He also underscored the importance of women's empowerment, saying half of the country's population consists of women and that greater educational opportunities and development programmes would help them contribute more effectively to the economy.
On the energy sector, the BNP MP acknowledged the country's gas and electricity shortages, saying many industries had suffered because of the crisis.
He welcomed the budgetary allocation to revive closed factories, saying the government had earmarked money for affected industries and introduced measures to help restore industrial production.
Farroque called on both the treasury and opposition benches to work together in the national interest.
"One day you will sit on this side, and another day we may sit on yours. That is the rule of democracy," he said, urging all parties to practise democratic and constructive politics.
Without naming specific controversies, he also appealed to lawmakers not to inflame Parliament by reopening debates on historical issues.
Drawing a comparison with the current Parliament, Farroque claimed that no BNP lawmaker had been instructed through party "slips" on what to say during debates over the past four and a half months, describing it as evidence of democratic practice within the party.
Concluding his speech, Farroque urged all political parties to work together for the country's development.
"Let us all work together to build Bangladesh," he said.