JOIN USWhile the trial of radical Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in Bangladesh has renewed focus on the atrocities they committed in collusion with the Pakistan Army in 1971, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is set to receive an award in Dhaka next Monday in recognition of his contribution to the struggle that led to the birth of that country 42 years ago.
The award is being conferred on Mukherjee at a time when the trial of the Islamists for the crimes they committed during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971 triggered a mass uprising against religious fundamentalism in the neighbouring country. New Delhi has already voiced its support for the agitation, which is being primarily led by youths.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh will confer the award on Mukherjee, who is set to leave for Dhaka on Sunday for his maiden visit to any foreign country after moving into Rashtrapati Bhavan in July 2012.
Though the death penalty awarded to Jamaat-e-Islami vice-president Delwar Hossain Sayedee by the International Crimes Tribunal for murders, rapes and persecutions he was convicted of committing in 1971 sparked off violence across Bangladesh, New Delhi on Friday said that it was yet to see any reason for reconsidering the President’s scheduled visit to Dhaka and other places in the neighbouring country from Sunday to Tuesday.
Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told journalists that New Delhi was in touch with Bangladesh government and the situation in the country was being assessed.
“We have done a lot of preparations for the visit... advance teams have gone to Bangladesh to prepare for the visit. The overall situation has been carefully examined and it would be appropriate to carry out the visit,” said Mathai.
He also noted that the situation in Dhaka was calm according to the latest reports.
At least 53 people were killed in violent clashes since the ICT awarded the death penalty on Sayedee on Thursday. Jamaat-e-Islami activists clashed with police across the country and tried to enforce a nationwide shutdown. It also called for another 48-hour shutdown beginning Sunday, the day Mukherjee is set to arrive in Dhaka.
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has extended support to the “resistance” by the Jamaat-e-Islami and called for another shutdown on Tuesday, the last day of Mukherjee’s visit.
Though Awami League Government in Dhaka led by Sheikh Hasina is bestowing the honour on Mukherjee in recognition of his personal contribution to the “Liberation War,” it is also likely to renew the focus on India’s historic role in the creation of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971.
The President will also receive the Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Dhaka on Monday.
Mukherjee will have meetings with President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh in Dhaka. The BNP chief and Leader of Opposition Khaleda Zia will also call on him.