Was Bangladesh any threat to India ever for any reason?
"No, and Bangladesh will never be a threat to them ever. One reason may be that India may have thought that some Indian states may bolster their suppressed movements for autonomy or freedom if they see that Bangladesh has successfully become an independently rising country."
What do you think about the government decision to forgive the anti-Liberation forces, about the war criminals and the present demand of their trial?
"Those who acted against the Liberation War did it politically. People can make mistakes and do injustice in personal life and politically. But it is always good to forgive when there is any such doubt."
Do you think Bangabandhu's amnesty was a right decision?
"I think that was a right decision. And once you have pardoned somebody, you should not want to try him for a second time. Yes, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should have tried those war criminals then, but he did not. And as he forgave them, no one will gain by making this an issue to belittle one. The people of Bangladesh have nothing but loss to gain from it. Politicians of Bangladesh did not always work for the people of Bangladesh. They remain busy in minor issues. Leaving it, we need a unity to develop the nation. We ourselves destroy this unity by bringing such issues.
Was the start of Bangladesh as an independent nation right under the leadership of Awami League or a national government could be formed after independence?
"The Awami League started its journey well as it had won elections before the war. They were right in forming the government. Then the constitution was formulated following democratic processes. That also went in line with the spirit of Bangladesh's Liberation War. But that government faltered later and made mistakes. |