<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and Al-Badr, which led the country's intellectuals killing, are now BNP's main allies as he paid rich tributes to the soil's illustrious sons.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Many persons, who were involved in the killing of intellectuals, are now BNP leaders," he told reporters after paying homage at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Rayerbazar here marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the blueprint of intellectuals' murder was made on December 10, 1971 and the Pakistani occupation force had picked journalist Siraj Uddin Hossain and some other intellectuals on the day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is really a matter of regret that BNP recently staged its rally on this day (December 10), he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In fact, their affection to Pakistan is revealed when the party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had said, "Pakistan was better", added Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The minister said the persons, who were against the independence and involved in intellectuals killing, are doing politics in the country even after 51 years of independence which is never appropriate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the BNP and its leaders are the chief patrons of these evil forces.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Replying to a query over banning the politics of Jamaat, Hasan said they are rejected by the countrymen many days ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are some legal issues in banning Jamaat politics and the concerned authorities including the Election Commission are looking into the legal issues, he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"But, I think that they (Jamaat) are already banned by the countrymen," he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The minister said just two days ahead of the country's cherished victory for independence in 1971, the Pakistani occupation force with the help of their local collaborators butchered the most prominent intellectuals to make the emerging country cripple.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hasan urged the countrymen to remain united against the all anti-liberation war forces. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>