Several hundred people of all ages and sexes burst into cheers shouting “Joy Bangla”, “Jonotar Joy Holo” (people triumphed) at the capital’s Shahbagh, shortly after a tribunal sentenced the 64-year-old to die by hanging for murder and genocide in 1971.
They hugged each other, hurled flowers into the air, splashed water, waved the national flag, and marched in procession to Central Shaheed Minar.
“SQ Chowdhury not only committed genocide, he has challenged our independence many times in the last 42 years. The verdict proved that the war criminals have no place in independent Bangladesh,” said Imran H Sarker, spokesperson of the Gonojagoron Mancha, a platform demanding the death penalty for all war criminals.
The Gonojagoron Mancha activists also celebrated the verdict in Chittagong city, home of the convict, by bringing out a procession from Chittagong Press Club. They paraded the city thoroughfares before ending the march at Central Shaheed Minar.
Soon after the judgment was pronounced, the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and the Communist Party of Bangladesh, among others, welcomed it.
In a statement, the CPB said the judgment reflected the victory of the people’s longstanding anti-war criminal movement.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi said SQ Chowdhury had been involved in an evil attempt to demean the country’s independence and sovereignty in the last 42 years, says a release.
Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal, Bangladesh Jubo Union, United National Awami Party, Bangladesh Awami Muktijuddho Projonmo League, and Chetonay Muktijuddho issued separate statements hailing the verdict and demanding its quick execution.
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