Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar commented that victory or independence is not merely the attainment of a geographical territory; rather, true victory or independence lies in establishing democracy and democratic values, along with political, economic, religious, voting, and human rights freedoms.

He made these remarks today as the chief guest at a rally organized by the Central Youth Department of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on the occasion of the Glorious Victory Day, held in front of the National Parliament’s NAM Building.

The rally was presided over by Central Youth Department President and Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, and hosted by Central Majlish-e-Shura Member and Assistant Secretary of Dhaka City North Dr. Fakhruddin Manik. Special guests who addressed the rally included Central Executive Council Member and Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-12 constituency Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Central Executive Council Member and Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-14 Mobarak Hossain, Central Working Committee Member and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Dhaka City North Abdur Rahman Musa, Central Majlish-e-Shura Member and Assistant Secretary of Dhaka City North Nazim Uddin Molla, Central Majlish-e-Shura Member and Assistant Secretary of Dhaka City South Kamal Hossain, and Dr. Abdul Mannan, Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-18 constituency Principal Ashraful Haque, Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-17 constituency Dr. S. M. Khaliduzzaman, Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-16 constituency Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten, Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-4 constituency Zainal Abedin, Central Majlish-e-Shura Members Maulana Muhibbullah, Nasir Uddin, and Jamal Uddin, Dhaka City North Working Committee Member Engineer Noman Ahmedi, and President of the Youth Department, Dhaka City North Mainuddin, among others.

Mia Golam Parwar said that Suhrawardy Udyan is the historic place where, on 16 December 1971, the Pakistani forces surrendered, admitting their crimes of oppression and torture against us. However, due to the hegemonic attitude of a neighboring state and its local agents, we could not fully enjoy the fruits of victory, nor was our independence fully safeguarded. The most unfortunate aspect is that on that day the Pakistani forces did not surrender to us, but rather surrendered to Indian army officer Jagjit Singh Arora. The Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation War, General A. G. Osmani, was absent. Why he was absent—no satisfactory answer to that question has been found to this day. Considering that the Pakistani forces surrendered to the Indian army, the neighboring country still observes 16 December as their Victory Day. Through this, they have insulted our freedom fighters.

Regarding India’s cooperation during the Liberation War, he said that India did not assist us for our independence, but rather to avenge its humiliating defeat to Pakistan in the 1965 war. Without recognizing our country’s independence and sovereignty, they sought to implement a plan to turn Bangladesh into a vassal state through Awami BAKSAL elements. However, that situation has come to an end through the July Revolution.

He strongly condemned and protested such disgraceful behavior by India and remembered with deep respect the heroic martyrs of the Liberation War as well as all freedom fighters.

He said that Osman Hadi is our national hero. At such a critical time, a barbaric attack was carried out on him, just one day after the schedule for the national parliamentary election was announced. This proves that the heinous attack on Hadi was part of a deep conspiracy to sabotage the national election. Essentially, this July fighter was targeted first. Whom else the conspirators have targeted, we do not know, but there is a strong possibility that the list is quite long. Therefore, security must be ensured for national leaders, July fighters, and all candidates in the upcoming election. A level playing field must be prepared for everyone in the election. An environment must be ensured so that voters can cast their votes smoothly and without fear or intimidation. He called upon everyone to remain united to realize the dream of building a new Bangladesh.

In his speech as a special guest, Saiful Alam Khan Milon said that Sharif Osman Hadi is a strong voice against hegemonic forces. Today, when we are holding a victory rally, this national hero is undergoing treatment in Singapore. But by killing one Hadi, the voice of the people cannot be silenced; rather, Hadis will return again and again.

In his presidential address, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said that independence is the greatest achievement of our national life. However, due to negative and divisive politics, our hard-earned independence has not become fully meaningful. Through various tricks and excuses, certain quarters did not allow us to become united. As a result, one of the core spirits of the Liberation War—democracy and democratic values—has yet to gain an institutional foundation. Therefore, to make our achieved independence meaningful and fruitful, we must move away from divisive politics. He called upon everyone to remain prepared to make any sacrifice to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.