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Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the government will never allow any crimes against humanity, genocide, or acts against justice committed in Bangladesh to become time-barred. The government is committed to ensuring justice for all incidents, from the 1971 Liberation War genocide to the killings at Shapla Chattar.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a commemorative meeting organized in memory of the Shapla martyrs at the National Museum Auditorium in the capital on Friday (May 8).
Zahir Uddin Swapan said that after the Shapla Chattar incident, BNP leaders and activists were deliberately accused. He alleged that misleading propaganda was spread using government-backed media at the time, and many BNP activists were implicated in lawsuits.
He stated, “There is no democracy-loving segment in Bangladesh that has not been subjected to persecution against fascism.”
The Information Minister further added that the National Parliament has already paid formal tribute to the martyrs of Shapla Chattar and has taken necessary initiatives to ensure justice for all killings, including the July uprising.
He said that public anger against political repression, attacks on opposition rallies, the Shapla Chattar operation, and various fascist behaviors, starting from the events of 2009, eventually transformed into national unity. He commented that in continuation of this, the fascist forces were overthrown through a mass uprising on August 5, 2024.
Referring to the leadership of late Begum Khaleda Zia, Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that anti-fascist unity among various classes and professions of people in the country had been built due to her acceptable leadership.
At the same time, referring to the activities of the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said that by commemorating the Shapla martyrs in the National Parliament, the government has sent a message of accountability to the nation.
The minister said that no major goal can be achieved without the unity of social forces alongside political forces. The entire nation unites on issues of religious values, patriotism, and national interest, and this unity is the country’s greatest strength.
He further added that the true duty towards the martyrs can only be fulfilled if national unity is maintained on the issues of religious values, freedom, self-reliance, and prosperity of the people of the country.
Also speaking at the event were Members of Parliament Md. Kamruzzaman Ratan, Sayed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Mia Golam Parwar, and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.