BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has termed Jamaat-e-Islami’s recent statement on patriotism "ridiculous."

“It will not be enough to judge only the July-August killings; all the crimes of the Hasina government should be judged,” he told a programme at Humayun Rashid Square in the district town on Thursday.

He said that there are only two established patriotic forces in Bangladesh: the army and the BNP.

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Amra BNP Paribar' hosted the event to present gifts to the family of Iqbal Hossain Emon, the winner of the Youth Asia Cup.

Rizvi said that besides the army and one political party, no other political party in Bangladesh can be considered truly patriotic. "Such a statement from Jamaat is laughable."

Rizvi said that while recent reforms in textbooks were commendable, they should also include a chapter on the contribution of Ziaur Rahman in the Liberation War.

Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP National Standing Committee, was the chief guest at the event.

He also dismissed Jamaat’s claims about patriotism, saying, "The true patriot is the one who declared independence in 1971, without fear. History has shown who passed the test of patriotism."

Dr Zahid highlighted the role of Martyr President Ziaur Rahman, noting that he not only declared the country's independence but also led the battle for liberation. "Zia is synonymous with patriotism."

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The BNP leader said that the party has always stood by the people, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic and recent floods.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman made the statement during a roadshow in Rangpur on December 23, 2024. , "There are two tested patriotic forces in the country: the army and Jamaat-e-Islami," he said.