The focus of discussion is currently the proposal to give one of the local streets the name of Osman Rastoder, a controversial figure from the Second World War, writes Pobjeda daily.
“There is no reason for mystification of any kind. The proposal to name one of the streets after Osman Rastoder formally originated from members of the Municipal Committee of the Bosniak Party, which explained it by the fact that this is a person who, from 1941 and until almost the end of 1943, was the sole protector of Muslim population from bloodthirsty Chetnik raids”, President of Petnjica assembly, Adnan Muhović, said in an interview for Pobjeda.
He added the initiative came from many residents of Petnjica, non-governmental organizations, diaspora and the Bosniak Cultural Community, and was then forwarded to the Council in the prescribed form and within the deadline. The fact that it provoked controversial interpretations in one part of the public was not the result of an intention to provoke anyone or irritate them in a political, national or religious manner, but of the circumstances under which, for decades, many events were officially presented in an ideologically uniform and absolutely one-sided manner.
“As promoters of the initiative, we had all this in mind, so we did not comment on prejudice with prejudice of another kind. We formalized the proposal in accordance with the procedures, explained it and gave it the form of an act which can legally and legitimately be discussed and decided upon. This act does not compromise anyone, or favor, but it is important to publicly point to certain historical injustices and interpretations based on prejudice”, said Muhović.
He says this is why they won’t give up the proposal to name one of the local streets after Osman, claiming the allegations that party central “commanded” them to withdraw are simply not true.
“On the contrary, we will continue to seek additional arguments which will confirm our conviction that a large part of residents of Petnjica believe Rastoder was not a war criminal, but a protector of his people in one of the most difficult periods of history, and a person that deserves remembrance and public respect”, said Muhović, who si also the president of the Municipal Committee of the Bosniak Party.
Asked whether the rejection of the Bosniak Party’s proposal may cause serious disagreements within the ruling coalition with the Democratic Party of Socialists, he said it may not.
