Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal Hossain has regretted his behaviour towards a journalist who asked him about his stance on Jamaat-e-Islami at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka’s Mirpur.
In a statement issued on Saturday, The Gano Forum chief offered his sincere apology if his words hurt anyone or made anyone feel uncomfortable.
Explaining the event which unfolded on the Matryred Intellectuals Day on Friday (Dec 14), he said, “While paying respects at the memorial I was just saying that we achieved our independence at the cost of so many precious lives. At that moment, at that place, I was suddenly asked about Jatiya Oikya Front’s stance on Jamaat. I replied that I prefer not to comment on that issue on a day which is deeply emotional for us all. I was again asked the same question and I gave the same reply.”
“But when I heard the word Jamaat being repeated from the crowd, I felt really disturbed and I tried to get that person to stop asking the same. If my words hurt anyone or made anyone uncomfortable, I sincerely regret this,” added Dr Kamal.
On Dec 14, when Dr Kamal was leaving the memorial after paying respect to the martyred he lashed out at the query on Jamaat saying, “How much were you paid to ask these questions? I’ll remember your face. How much did they pay? How dare you disrespect the martyrs at the very memorial? Have some respect for them. Shut up!”
Earlier he said, “We came to pay our respects on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals day. Millions of martyrs sacrificed their lives for independence, which we are meant to protect, we are meant to make it meaningful.”
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