Sangsad Bhaban, June 28 -- Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday asked Jamaat-e-Islami to apologise to the nation for its role during the 1971 Liberation War, saying such a step would have helped remove longstanding political divisions.

Speaking in Parliament during the budget discussion, the minister said some of the government's "friends" were trying to ignore and provoke them at a time when such an approach was not appropriate.

"Our friends are trying to ignore us in different ways. They are also trying to provoke us in various ways. I don't think this is the right time. You should also look back at yourselves," he said.

Referring to Jamaat's role during the Liberation Wa...