Amaan Azmi urges changing national anthem, constitution of Bangladesh.

Abdullahil Aman Azmi, the son of Golam Azam, addressing a press conference through video link on Tuesday, July 3, 2024.

Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, the son of former Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ghulam Azam, has called for changes to Bangladesh's national anthem and Constitution.

The former brigadier general was a victim of “enforced disappearance” for eight years. He was released from captivity on August 7. He is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in the capital.

He shared his experiences and various suggestions with journalists at a press conference from the National Press Club auditorium via video link on Tuesday. 

He said: "I leave the matter of the national anthem to this government. The current national anthem we have is contrary to the existence of our independent Bangladesh. It reflects the time of the Bengal partition and the merging of the two Bengals. How can an anthem created to unite the two Bengals become the national anthem of an independent Bangladesh? This anthem was imposed on us by India in 1971. There are many songs that could serve as a national anthem. The government should form a new commission to select a new national anthem."

When asked what kind of changes or reforms he wants in the Constitution, he responded: "Changing the Constitution is a significant matter. It must ensure human rights. There should be legal recourse for injustices against the armed forces, which is currently not available. This needs to be abolished. Any laws that are contrary to human rights should be repealed. A new Constitution needs to be drafted, reflecting the sentiments of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity."

He said: "Our country is a Muslim state, with over 90% of the population being Muslim. There cannot be a Constitution in opposition to Allah's laws. Our Constitution states that the people are the holders of sovereignty. However, the people are not the holders of sovereignty; only Allah is. No law contrary to Allah's laws should be passed. Therefore, we need to amend the constitution to include laws that reflect our Muslim values."

Regarding his captivity, Azmi said: "My greatest crime is that I am the son of Professor Ghulam Azam. I was vocal against India. While in secret detention, someone told me that I was a victim of a foreign conspiracy. Because of this, I was repeatedly questioned about why I was so outspoken against India."

He mentioned that his eight-year abduction was primarily due to his anti-India posts.

He said: "After being taken from my home, I was initially detained in one place and then moved to another. Although I was supposed to be released in August, I was subjected to a third round of questioning on various issues. On December 7, I was asked why I wrote against India and why I was vocal against India on Facebook. I asked why I was detained without trial if it was a crime. Why am I not being charged? Since my dismissal from the army in 2009, I have been working on this issue. This shows why they kidnapped me. After eight long years, I was released on August 6, around 11:45pm, in front of a bus stand in Tangail, where they handed me some money and said, 'You are free.'"

He said: "I often felt that they might kill me in a crossfire. When they came to my house, I asked them who they were, what their identity was, and if they had a warrant. They did not answer my questions and took me away in a car. During my long period of imprisonment, I experienced various physical complications.

"At times, I felt that I would never be able to see my family again. Every day, I was subjected to new forms of torture. They would use harsh language to abuse me and the army… At night, I would pray Tahajjud prayer and cry to Allah, asking that my body not be turned into a meal for dogs."

During this time, he also demanded reprisals for the killing of 57 army officers during the BDR mutiny in Pilkhana, calling for a reinvestigation and trial.

Number of martyrs in Liberation War

When asked to explain his comments on the true number of martyrs in the Liberation War, Azmi said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the number of martyrs without any survey. The nation still does not know the exact number of casualties in the war.

Azmi mentioned that a survey indicated 286,000 martyrs, but Sheikh Mujibur Rahman referred to 3 million without providing accurate figures.

Regarding his potential involvement in politics, he replied that he is still under medical treatment and has not discussed politics with anyone. He expressed his desire to work for the country as a patriot.

When asked about his stance on his father's conviction by the tribunal and whether he would take any counter-measures, Azmi stated that the tribunal chairman had said the charges were unproven and false.

He mentioned that their appeal to the Supreme Court had led to the verdict being overturned, and discussing it further seems pointless.

He reaffirmed his belief that Professor Ghulam Azam was the greatest Bengali in history, and claimed that those who spoke against him were Indian agents receiving salaries from India.

Ghulam Azam was convicted of charges of crimes against humanity—conspiracy, planning, incitement, complicity, and not preventing murder—in 1971. Delivering the verdict on July 15, 2013, the International Crimes Tribunal said the Jamaat leader, then 91, deserved the death penalty but was given 90 years in prison for age and long ailment.

He died while serving jail terms at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on October 23, 2014.

Regarding any legal action against his wrongful detention, Azmi said that the army chief had formed a committee with which he had spoken for four hours. The committee had assured him that they would uncover the truth. He expressed a strong belief that the army chief would reveal the truth and take appropriate action.

Azmi also called for those who died or played a heroic role in the anti-discrimination student movement to be honored with various titles, similar to the freedom fighters of 1971.