BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan yesterday said Jamaat-e-Islami should apologise to the nation for its anti-liberation role in the 1971 Liberation war.

Speaking to reporters after placing a wreath at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, he also said their party wants the trial and punishment of all anti-liberation war elements.

"An apology by the Jamaat is now demanded by all. The Jamaat should be ashamed of its anti-liberation war role and should apologise for it. It's a logical demand," said Nazrul, also the coordinator of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Nazrul further said those who destroyed democracy, “the greatest outcome of independence”, should also apologise to the nation.

"We think those who committed any offence should offer apologies. We also should apologise to people if we have been involved in any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, such a culture is absent in our country," the BNP leader observed.

Asked about the media report about Jamaat forming a committee to launch a new party, Nazrul said it was the Jamaat's internal matter.

Replying to another question, he said the Jamaat is still with the 20-party alliance. "The Jamaat never told us that they don't want to be in the 20-party."

The BNP leader also said that the Jamaat, as a political party, has the right to decide if they want to quit the alliance.

About Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda's comment that the upcoming upazila election will be a competitive one, he said people have no confidence in the CEC.

"People across the country consider him an incompetent person and they accuse him of ruining the country's election system with his biased role in favour of a party," he added.

Earlier, Nazrul, along with leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal, paid homage to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city, marking the 39th founding anniversary of the organisation.

They also held a prayer for Zia's departed soul.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said that the war crimes trial would continue even if Jamaat-e-Islami seeks apology for its crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Quader, also general secretary of ruling Awami League, came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at the political office of the party at Dhanmondi in Dhaka.

“It’s not clear yet why the matter of seeking mercy by Jamaat has appeared after 47 years of independence. It might be their political strategy. However, they have not said anything officially yet over the matter. Even if they seek mercy, the trial of war criminals which is underway would not be stopped,” said Quader.

Responding to another question, he said, “What would be the big difference if Jamaat changes its name...it is like old wine in new bottle. It is all the same if there remains the same old ideology in the new name.”

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today thanked Dr Kamal Hossain for realising the "mistake" that Jatiya Oikyafront had made by incorporating Jamaat-e-Islami in the recent 11th parliamentary election.

"I would like to thank Dr Kamal Hossain for realising their political mistake," Minister Hasan said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal yesterday said it was a mistake on the part of his party Gonoforum to have joined the December 30 polls with Jamaat leaders contesting under the alliance banner.

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Taking Jamaat men along to polls a mistake

Hasan Mahmud further said that the JOF will make another mistake if their elected candidates do not take the oath to join the 11th Parliament.

"I hope they will realise it and join the parliament by taking the oath of office," said the minister.

"A party is trying to drag the country backwards. I think no conspiracy against the country will work," he said.

Responding to a question about the recently enacted Digital Security Act, he said that the government will work on it so that no panic remains among the journalists about the act.

"I always welcome all types of criticism. When I was the Environment Minister, English daily The Daily Star published several reports criticising the ministry, even they published cartoons. But, we gave them an environment award. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) was also awarded although they had criticised the ministry," said the minister.

Mentioning that criticism speeds up anyone's journey, the minister said, "But, blind and one-sided criticism is not useful. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has introduced the culture of welcoming any criticism."

"This time, Awami League has pledged that the country's villages will be turned into cities. Coordinated efforts are required to move the country forward. Mass media also play a vital role in this effort," said Hasan Mahmud.

He also said that a huge revolution has been made not only in the country's online media but also in print, electronic and social media.

"Around 8 crore people are using social media," he mentioned.

The High Court today directed the Election Commission to dispose of in three working days the application filed for cancellation of the candidacy of 25 Jamaat-e-Islami men.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why the EC’s decision to allow 25 Jamaat candidates to contest in the elections despite the cancellation of their registration should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the court also asked the EC to show causes why the commission should not be directed to cancel their candidacy.

The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and Amra Muktijoddhar Sontan seeking cancellation of the commission's decision to allow 25 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to contest the December 30 elections.

The petitioner yesterday submitted the application to the EC saying that the HC in 2013 scrapped Jamaat-e-Islami's registration with the EC, so the party's leaders cannot be allowed to contest the polls.