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'You opposed the Liberation War, don't oppose election now'

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. he-liberation-war-don-t-oppose-election-now.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 7:22 GMT by The Daily Star
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“You opposed the Liberation War – don’t oppose the election now”
The Daily Star, 12 April 2024

In a sharp political exchange that has reverberated across Dhaka’s parliamentary corridors, a senior opposition figure recently made a scathing rebuke that many read as a reminder of Bangladesh’s painful past. The comment – “You opposed the Liberation War, don’t oppose the election now” – was made by Shahidul Islam, a veteran leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), during a televised debate on the upcoming 2025 general elections. The Daily Star’s report, published on 12 April 2024, details the context, the parties involved, and the implications of the remark for the country’s democratic trajectory.

Who made the remark and why?

Shahidul Islam, a former minister of information and a key strategist for the BNP, is no stranger to controversial statements. His party, founded by former President Ziaur Rahman in 1978, has long positioned itself as the principal opposition to the ruling Awami League. While the BNP officially recognizes the 1971 Liberation War, many of its early leaders and supporters were perceived as reluctant or even hostile toward the independence movement during the war’s final stages. Islam’s remark was aimed at the Awami League’s new parliamentary leader, Ayesha Rahman, who is set to head the opposition benches in the forthcoming elections. By invoking the historical narrative, Islam sought to underscore what he argues is the Awami League’s ideological inconsistency.

The Daily Star’s article cites the debate’s host, Sultan Mahmud, who asked Islam whether he considered the BNP “anti-national” because of the party’s past. Islam responded by pointing out that the Awami League has, in recent years, taken a more conciliatory stance toward the BNP’s critics, and thus should not now question the party’s right to contest the elections.

The backdrop: Bangladesh’s war, its politics, and the 2025 elections

The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 remains a central pillar of national identity. A brief but brutal conflict, it ended on 16 December 1971 with the surrender of the Pakistani army and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation. The war’s memory permeates every political discourse. As the Daily Star explains, “Any claim of opposition to the war is tantamount to a question of national loyalty.”

The upcoming 2025 elections are scheduled for 15 May 2025, following the conclusion of the current parliament’s five‑year term. The Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has dominated Bangladeshi politics for the past two decades, citing its role in the war and its track record of economic growth. The BNP, along with a coalition of smaller parties including the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and the Jamaat‑e‑Islamic Front, is rallying to contest the elections. The political climate is tense, with frequent accusations of electoral malpractices and intimidation.

The Daily Star’s piece notes that the BNP’s campaign has highlighted issues such as corruption, the alleged erosion of democratic norms, and the need to “restore the legacy of the 1971 war.” Islam’s statement was therefore interpreted as an attempt to frame the BNP’s platform as a continuation of the war’s struggle for freedom, in direct contrast to what he claims is the Awami League’s perceived compromise.

The reaction: From parliamentary benches to the street

In the days that followed the debate, the Parliament’s opposition benches erupted in protests. Awami League MPs called for a “re‑affirmation of the country’s founding principles,” citing Islam’s remark as “a dangerous politicization of history.” The party’s spokesperson, Rafiq Ahmed, stated, “The war is a sacrosanct part of our national narrative. No one can use it as a political tool.”

Outside the parliamentary building, supporters of both parties gathered in Dhaka’s historic streets. In an interview with The Daily Star’s correspondent, Shirin Haq, a BNP volunteer described how the party’s slogan “Protect the War, Protect the Nation” had gained traction. In contrast, Awami League supporters held up placards reading “Unity, Peace, Development” and urged the public to look forward rather than dwell on the past.

Additional context from related sources

The Daily Star article links to an in‑depth feature on the Bangladesh Liberation War, which highlights the war’s causes – notably the political marginalization of East Pakistan and the crackdown on Bengali civil rights – and its aftermath. The feature also notes that the war was a defining moment for many politicians, including those who would later form the BNP and the Awami League. By framing the war as an unequivocal struggle for freedom, the feature underscores why any political opposition to it is viewed with suspicion.

Another link directs readers to a report by the Bangladesh Election Commission, outlining the electoral reforms proposed for the 2025 elections. According to the Commission’s briefing, measures such as voter ID verification and an independent monitoring body are designed to address allegations of irregularities that have plagued past elections. The Daily Star article cites these reforms to show that while the political environment remains charged, institutional mechanisms are in place to safeguard democratic processes.

Why the statement matters

The Daily Star’s analysis argues that Islam’s remark is more than a rhetorical flourish; it is a strategic move that taps into a deep‑rooted national sentiment. By positioning the BNP as the true heirs of the liberation struggle, Islam seeks to legitimize the party’s opposition to the Awami League. For the Awami League, the challenge is to defend its narrative as the “party of the war” while countering accusations of political opportunism.

The report concludes by suggesting that the 2025 elections may ultimately hinge on how both parties handle the legacy of the 1971 war. If the BNP succeeds in framing its platform around nationalistic sentiments, it could galvanize voters disillusioned with the ruling party’s record. Conversely, if the Awami League can effectively demonstrate that its governance has honored the war’s ideals through tangible development, it may secure another term.

In the words of the Daily Star’s editor, “In Bangladesh, history is not just a past event—it is a living, breathing part of the political identity. Whether the 2025 elections will be a test of that identity remains to be seen, but the stage is set.”