Shahid Janani’s 22nd death anniversary observed in London

The 22nd death anniversary of Shahid Janani Jahanara Imam who spearheaded the movement seeking justice for the victims of Bangladesh War of 1971 was observed by the UK Nirmul Committee on 26 June.

UK Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee organised a discussion and a Iftar Mahfil at Banglatown’s Shaad restaurant in observance of the 22nd death anniversary of its founder, eminent writer, social activist and the mother of martyred freedom fighter Shafi Imam Rumi.

Chaired by UK Committee’s Acting President Syed Enamul Islam & conducted by General Secretary Syed Anas Pasha, member of martyred family Nadeem Qadir, Minister (Press) at London’s Bangladesh High Commission addressed the discussion as the chief guest. Others who spoke on the occasion were BASOD’s leader from Bangladesh Dr Talha Yasin, UK Committee’s founder chief coordinator Abdul Malik Khukon, UK Committee’s founder, actor Shadhin Khasru from Bangladesh, founder, journalist S U Ahmed Belal, Advisor M A Rauf, Advisor, freedom fighter Abu Musa Hasan, Asst Secretary Jamal Khan, Research Secretary Matiar Chowdhury, journalist Nilufa Hassan, Betar Bangla’s CEO freedom fighter Nazim Chowdhury, Nari Diganta’s Hena Islam, Koli Pasha, Dr Shaheda Khatun, Aliana Haq, journalist Hamid Md, Ansar Ahmed Ullah, Treasurer Shah Mustafijur Rahman Belal, executive member Shah Tofael, CPB’s Monzur Ahmed Nowshad amongst others.

Speakers said Jahanara Imam united all pro-liberation war forces through mass movement and the movement will continue until the safety of all citizens including minority people are ensured, the extremism is uprooted and the spirit of Liberation War is established at all levels of society.

It was on 19 January in 1992, Jahanara Imam along with pro-liberation politicians, prominent cultural personalities and intellectuals formed the Nirmul Committee (Forum for Secular Bangladesh). The Committee called for the trial of war criminals who committed crimes in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War in collaboration with the Pakistani forces.

The Nirmul Committee set up symbolic Peoples trials in Dhaka on 26 March 1992 known as Gono Adalat trying accused war criminals. After leading the movement for two and a half years Jahanara Imam died of cancer on June 26, 1994.