Quader clarifies his statement on communal forces joining AL

A recent statement by Awami League’s general secretary Obaidul Quader about whether members of communal forces and families of anti-liberation groups can be members of the party drew much criticism on social media.

An organisation called Muktijuddho Mancha demanded withdrawal of the statement and gave him an ultimatum to apologise within 48 hours.

Obaidul Quader, however, in a speech on Thursday clarified that any individual belonging to communal and anti-liberation families cannot be a member of the party.

On 30 June, addressing a press conference at the Dhanmondi Awami League office in the capital, Obaidul Quader said, "Someone's family member in the past may have belonged to a communal groups or Jamaat-e-Islami."

“There is no justification into looking into who was linked to the anti-liberation forces after 47 years ago. When we make someone a member, we will look into his backgroun, about who his is actually."

Muktijuddho Mancha members on Sunday held a press conference at the Dhaka University Journalists' Association office and demanded apology from the AL leader and warned of stern action otherwise.

The convener of the organisation and Dhaka University professor AKM Jamal Uddin said, "The speech of Obaidul Quader indicates he has made the way for communal forces to infiltrate the party and kill Sheikh Hasina and pro-liberation leaders. He must retire immediately.”

Meanwhile, Obaidul Quader said yesterday that the party's position on the anti-liberation forces was clear.

“The question of compromise does not arise,” he added.

He also said, “Families of war criminals cannot join the party. There is a clear directive in the policies for the enrolment of members.”

Incidentally, the process of recruiting renewal of members is going on across the country.