Freedom fighter forced to apologize for raising 'Joy Bangla' slogan

A freedom fighter has reportedly been humiliated and forced to apologize publicly for raising the slogan 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' at a meeting in Niamatpur Upazila of Naogaon.

The incident took place at the Hajinagar Union Parishad of the upazila on Thursday afternoon. This caused intense anger and tension among local freedom fighters and people of different classes and professions.

The name of the humiliated freedom fighter is Mizanur Rahman. The accusation has been made against a person named Alauddin, who identified himself as a worker of the Jubo Dal, and his associates. Alauddin is a resident of Maklahat village of Hajinagar Union. Freedom fighters and conscious people have demanded a speedy investigation into the incident and action against the culprits.

According to eyewitnesses, heroic freedom fighter Mizanur Rahman delivered a welcome speech at the open budget meeting of Hajinagar UP on Thursday afternoon. At the end of his speech, he raised the slogan 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' and immediately expressed regret that this slogan was raised by mistake. Alauddin, who was present at the meeting at that time, created tension by introducing himself as a worker of the Jubo Dal. At one stage, he and his associates behaved disrespectfully with the freedom fighter and forced him to apologize again in front of everyone on the microphone of the meeting venue.

The brave freedom fighter Mizanur Rahman said, 'We liberated the country in exchange for blood. In the light of the times, it is dangerous for anyone to raise this slogan. After I blurted out Joy Bangla in the meeting, I immediately admitted my mistake. Even then, I was humiliated in front of everyone and was forced to apologize on the microphone.'

Regarding the allegation, Alauddin claimed to be a worker of the Jubo Dal, but he could not provide proof that he had any position in the organization. He said, 'Mizanur Rahman raised the slogan 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' at one stage of his speech. Immediately, some people including me protested. When everyone got excited, the matter went a different way. Later, Mizanur Rahman apologized to everyone on the microphone. I alone am being blamed here.'

Hazinagar Union BNP President Firoz Mahmud said that Alauddin claims to be a BNP or Jubo Dal leader, but he does not have any organizational position. He has used the BNP name to gain political advantage and there are allegations against him of being involved in different political activities in the past.

Sirajul Islam, convener of the Naogaon district unit of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, said, 'I have heard the matter. It is sad to harass a freedom fighter for raising the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’.

During the Liberation War, we also raised the slogan ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu’. However, later this slogan was misused and made controversial.