Qamrul Islam written discharge application, part 1
This is the first part of the written discharge application that concerns Qamrul Islam’s profile
PROFILE OF THE ACCUSED-PETITIONER:
7. That the formal charge intentionally placed partial details about Md. Qamrul Islam, which are based on misrepresentation of facts. Since his student life, Md. Qamrul Islam has contributed tremendously to establish Bangladesh as an independent state free from Pakistani colonial occupation and to make the country a secular and democratic welfare state for ensuring people’s full emancipation with social, cultural and economic integrity. Some of his contributions as Heroic Freedom-fighter, prominent practising Lawyer and Politician are listed below:
7. 1 That the accused-petitioner Md. Qamrul Islam is a Heroic Freedom-fighter. During the Independence War of Bangladesh in 1971, he had joined the first batch of Bangladesh Liberation Front (BLF) at age of twenty one. After completion his training in Uttar Pradesh Dehradun Military Camp in India, he had returned to Dhaka and fought valiantly against that fought the Pakistan Army throughout the country including capital city Dhaka.
7.2 That the accused-petitioner Md. Qamrul Islam (born on 01 June 1950) is a Bangladeshi prominent political leader, presidium member of Bangladesh Awami league, former minister and member of parliament. He passed SSC in 1965 from Armanitola Govt. High School, passed H.S.C in 1957 from Govt. Islamia Intermediate College, Dacca. He graduated from Dhaka University in 1970.
7.3 That the accused-petitioner Md. Qamrul Islam has been a veteran practising lawyer of Bangladesh for more than four decades. He had completed his Bachelor of Law degree in 1982 from Dhaka University. Then he enrolled as a regular member of Dhaka Bar Association in 1985, later on, he also enrolled in Supreme Court Bar Association. He served as Public Prosecutor of Dhaka Metropolitan City from 1996 to 2001. He had prominent role as a lawyer in ‘Bangabandhu Murder Case’, ‘1975 Jail Killing Case’ and cases against Party President Sheikh Hasina during 1/11 Care-Taker government.
7.4 That the accused-petitioner Md. Qamrul Islam’s political career spans several decades, originating in the Pre-Independence period of Bangladesh (East Pakistan) as a student leader of Chatra League during 1962 Education Movement. Thereafter, he was involved in significant Six Point Programme in 1966, Eleven Point Programme in 1968, Mass Uprising in 1969 as a student leader and also participated in the Liberation War of Bangladesh as heroic freedom fighter. After the independence of Bangladesh he was a member of Bangladesh Chatro League. Later he joined Bangladesh Awami League and have been connected with the party till date. He served as Joint Secretary of Dhaka Mohaganar Awami league for a long period. During the 1/11 Care-Taker Government period he served as an Acting Secretary of Dhaka Mohanagar Awami league. His role during that period was pivotal to return to Democracy. His political activities were being limited due to his ill health since 2017, as he was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer along with many other comorbidities. Despite his illness his contribution to the party was recognised by the party by making him a member of Working Committee of Bangladesh Awami League and later the Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League in Party’s National Council in 2019.
7.5 That the accused-petitioner Md. Qamrul Islam was first nominated as a candidate of Bangladesh Awami League in Dhaka-2 constituency (Kamrangir Chor, 7 unions of Keraniganj Upazilla and 3 unions of Savar Upazilla) in Ninth National Parliament Election of Bangladesh in 2008. He participated in the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth National Parliament Election of Bangladesh and became as Member of Parliament (MP) all four times from his constituency . He served as State Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs from 2009-2014 and Food Minister from 2014-2018. During his tenure as State Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, many important trials of national interest like Trial of War Criminals of 1971 Liberation War, Trial of Bangabandhu Murder Case, Trial of 1975 Jail Killing Case, Trial of BDR Mutiny etc. had been conducted in free and unbiased environment. Md. Qamrul Islam has played significant role in improving the infrastructure of Court Buildings, Bar Association Buildings all over the county during his tenure as State Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Md. Qamrul Islam was also successful during his tenure as Food Minister. During his tenure the first major government-to-government export of non-fragrant (coarse) rice occurred in December 2014, with 50,000 tonnes shipped to Sri Lanka. During his tenure (2014–2018), the public food grain storage capacity in Bangladesh expanded from approximately 1.79 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2013-14 to over 2 million MT by 2017-18.
7.6 That the accused-petitioner, Md. Qamrul Islam, as mentioned above, served valiantly as a freedom fighter in Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971, risking his life for the independence of Bangladesh. From the very inception of the Republic, he has stood for the values of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism—principles enshrined in the Constitution of 1972 and born of the Liberation War’s ideals.
7.7 That the accused-petitioner after independence, his political activism has always centred on anti-authoritarianism and people’s welfare, and he has consistently spoken against religious fundamentalism, communal hatred, and the politics of violence and hate.
7.8 That the accused-petitioner’s integrity and political credentials have remained beyond reproach. He has served with distinction as a Member of Parliament, State Minister and Minister of Bangladesh Government for multiple terms. Md. Qamrul Islam is highly respected in the field of law for his contribution to the society and nation as a veteran lawyer and also former State Minister of law.
7.9 That it must be clearly stated, however, that the accused-petitioner Md Qamrul Islam is suffering from Stomach Cancer since 2017 and other comorbidities. His illness restrained him from political activities for last 6-7 years despite his post in the party. He was rather more active in court as a lawyer and concentrated more on betterment of his constituency as a Member of Parliament.
7.10 That during the July–August 2024 incidents, the accused-petitioner acted with prudence, moderation, and deep concern for the welfare of student protesters, citizens and the protection of life and property. His conduct, as evidenced by video footage of Somoy TV, submitted by the prosecution team shows not only his concern for the poor people of his electoral constituent suffering the economic crisis during the quota movement period but also shows his concern for the safety of the student protesters and other civilians. His role was therefore that of a responsible statesman seeking to de-escalate the conflict, not one of an instigator or abettor of any crime.
7.11 That the accused-petitioner’s Electoral Contituent was Dhaka-2, which comprised of Kamrangrir Chor, 7 Unions (Shakta, Kalindi, Kolatia, Rohitpur, Hazratpur, Taranagar, Basta) of Keraniganj Upazilla and 3 Unions (Tetuljhora, Aminbazar, Vakurta) of Savar Upazilla. There was not a single case of casualty in his electoral constituency during the whole quota movement period.
7.12 That the accused-petitioner’s record of public service, his steadfast opposition to extremism, and his absence from any position of power during the relevant time make it inconceivable that he could have participated in, abetted, or encouraged crimes against humanity. His life and career embody the very antithesis of the conduct alleged in the Formal Charge. The attempt to implicate him in such offences, in disregard of his long record of patriotic and democratic service, is not only unjust but also inconsistent with the historical and factual realities of his public life.