ATM Masum: October 28 Killings Were Part of a Conspiracy Against the Nation

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion and prayer gathering organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the Al Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Monday. The program was part of a centrally announced initiative to commemorate those who were killed in the “October 28 Logi-Baithar” attack.

Maulana Masum said that the incident opened a “shameful chapter” in Bangladesh’s history. “October 28 was the day when the tenure of the four-party alliance government expired. According to the constitution, elections were supposed to be held under a caretaker government. But the Awami League refused to accept it and, in the name of a so-called movement, created chaos across the country,” he alleged.

He also mentioned that despite several meetings between BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, no political solution was reached. “That failure paved the way for the tragic killings of October 28,” he said.

Masum further added that although a caretaker government was later formed under then-President Iajuddin Ahmed, political unrest continued, eventually leading to the 1/11 changeover. “The so-called emergency government of 1/11 had no constitutional basis. It was an illegal administration whose main purpose was to rehabilitate the Awami League,” he claimed.

Referring to the Paltan incident, Masum described it as a “deep conspiracy against the country and the nation.” He said, “On that day, the killers not only took lives but also celebrated over the corpses in a demonic manner—something unseen even in the darkest periods of history. Such brutality was possible only through the Awami League.”

He expressed regret that even after so many years, those responsible had not been brought to justice. “We remember the martyrs of October 28 with deep respect and pray for their acceptance by Almighty Allah,” he said.

The event was presided over by Abdur Rahman Musa, Nayeb Ameer of Dhaka Metropolitan North and a member of Jamaat’s Central Working Committee. Among others who addressed the gathering were Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Central Working Committee Member and Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North; Nazim Uddin Molla, Assistant Secretary of Metropolitan North; and Dr. Fakhruddin Manik.

Other attendees included Central Majlis-e-Shura Members Yasin Arafat and Hemayet Hossain, Publicity and Media Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Sarkar, and Engineer Noman Ahmadi.

Dr. Rezaul Karim said, “The martyrs of October 28 laid the foundation of the anti-fascist protest movement through their sacrifice. Their spirit continues today, and the struggle was strengthened through Abu Sayeed and Muddi in 2024. To fulfill the spirit of October 28, the victory of Jamaat candidates in the upcoming elections is essential.”

In his closing speech, Abdur Rahman Musa said, “The martyrs of Paltan taught us the value of sacrifice. We should not despair but must move forward with their ideals. Our goal now is to establish unity and achieve victory in the path of faith.”