Lawmakers from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday asserted that no single group or party can claim exclusive credit for the July mass uprising, urging all stakeholders to acknowledge the collective contribution of the people.
Participating in the discussion on the Thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech in Parliament, Rafiqul Islam Hilali, a BNP member from the Netrokona-3 constituency, alleged that the Awami League had "traded" on the spirit of the Liberation War for a long time.
"I now fear a similar attempt to claim sole credit for the July mass uprising," Hilali said. "No one is the sole claimant of this movement. No one should attempt to do so."
Five members, including three from BNP and two from Jamaat-e-Islami, participated in the discussion.
During his speech, Hilali urged the Prime Minister to address local development needs, including the construction of a multi-storied building at Kendua Government University College and the upgrading of a 50-bed hospital to 100 beds. He also called for a "specific timeframe" to end the hardships faced by retired pensioners in withdrawing their allowances.
Sheikh Manzurul Haque, a Jamaat-e-Islami member from Bagerhat-2, criticized the President’s role during the previous regime. "When the people of this country lived under the oppression of fascism, the President played a role in favor of that fascism. For that, I cannot thank him," he stated.
Meanwhile, Salim Reza, a BNP lawmaker from Sirajganj-1, noted that the President deserved thanks for identifying the "fallen Awami League government" as autocratic. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for exempting BNP members from the privilege of tax-free cars, citing national interest.
Jamaat-e-Islami member Abu Taleb Mondal reflected on the "17 years of persecution" under the previous administration, mentioning the loss of leaders like Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami and the struggles of three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
"We want to know which Constitution was used to martyr 11 top leaders, including Maulana Nizami," Mondal questioned. He further emphasized that without the July uprising, many current members, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, would not have had the opportunity to return to the country or enter Parliament.
Mondal also urged the government to fulfill public expectations by codifying "mass referendums" into law.
On the other hand, Munshiganj-1 lawmaker Sheikh M Abdullah, representing the treasury bench, demanded the establishment of a university in his constituency.