Jamaat's Taher claims child freedom fighter status amid Razakar debate

Jamaat-e-Islami's Naib-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament for Cumilla-11 (Chauddagram) constituency, Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, has claimed that he is a child freedom fighter.

He made the claim while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the president's address in the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday, April 30.

Referring to the ongoing debate in parliament over Razakars and Al-Badrs, Taher said, "This is now a dead issue. Why am I saying this? Because we are sitting here today. None of us were Razakars or Al-Badrs."

Claiming that "We are the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami," he added, "If you talk about freedom fighters in that way, I too am a child freedom fighter."

The Jamaat leader explained that his family home was located near the border. "Our house was a bit large. Those who were migrating to India would first come and take shelter in our courtyard and other spaces. We would eat some snacks with them and also keep watch to see if the army was patrolling," he recalled.

"When the army patrols stopped, we would guide them so they could cross over into India. So there is no reason to make such claims," he added.