Describing the Liberation War of 1971 as a 'civil war', former vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University (RU) Prof Dr Yusuf Ali said a huge loss of lives is common in a civil war.
He also raised question about the war crimes trial and said the trial of war criminals had been completed a long time ago.
"So, what is this trial for?" he said, adding: "The issue of war criminals is threatening the unity and integrity of the nation."
Dr Yusuf made the remarks at the first national council of Bangladesh Biswabiddalaya Shikkhak Parishad (BBSP), a platform of teachers of public and private universities, at Biam auditorium in the city.
The former VC also alleged that lakhs of people were killed, many were raped and robbery and looting had taken place after independence when peace was prevailing in the country.
Those who destroyed peace after independence must stand trial, he said, adding: "We will hold trial of them when our government comes to power."
Former chief justice Syed JR Modassir Hossain, former DU VC Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, columnist Mahfuz Ullah, journalist Shafiq Rehman, Manarat International University VC Prof Dr Mohammad Abdur Rab and Dhaka University Professors Dr Kamal Hossain Chowdhury, Dr Umme Kulsum Rowzatur Rommana and Dr Aminur Rahman Majumder also spoke.