AL must apologise to restore Sheikh Mujib's pre-1971 role: Mahfuj

Mahfuj Alam, an adviser to the interim government, has called on members of the Awami League and Bangabandhu's family to apologise for the 'fascist rule' of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and face justice, reports bdnews24.com.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's contributions before 1971 will be 'honoured' only if they do so, according to him.

Mahfuj, who has been credited as the 'mastermind' behind the Anti-discrimination Student Movement that toppled the Awami League government, shared his views in a Facebook post titled 'The Fallen Sheikhs!' on Wednesday.

He also addressed the debates and criticisms over the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait from the Bangabhaban's Darbar Hall.

"Sheikh Mujib and his daughter (another Sheikh) have faced people's wrath and anger for their respective fascist regimes. The only difference is, unlike Hasina, Sheikh Mujib was once a popular demagogue of eastern Bengal Mass. The mass followed him against Pakistani tyranny. But he became a tyrant himself after '71. For his support and patronage to Mujibism, Bangladesh became crippled and divided after '71. For his fascist role, people didn't lament his death in 1975," he wrote.

"But, Sheikh will enjoy the honour for his pre-71 roles if his party and family members apologise to the people of Bangladesh for Sheikh's post '71 Mass killings, enforced Disappearances, Corruption, Famine and obviously ' 72 constitutions, which paved the way for BAKSHAL. They should also recognise, apologise and face trials for Sheikh's Daughter's Fascist Regime (She has made Sheikh Mujib a matter of sarcasm and ridicule). They should also abandon the politics of Mujibism and idolization of the sheikh family."

According to Mahfuj, Sheikh Mujib's photo was taken down due to his daughter's fascist rule 'in the name and spirit of her post '71 fascist father'.