The Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, stated that if his own party or any political party engages in fascist-like behavior, the consequences will be even more severe than those faced by fascists in the past. He remarked, “If we or any political party behave like fascists, we should take heed, as Allah will not forgive us, and neither will the people of this country.”
He made these remarks on Sunday at a discussion event held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka’s Agargaon. The event, organized by the Dhaka North City branch of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, included families of individuals killed in opposition movements against the ruling Awami League from October 28, 2006, to August 5, 2024.
In his keynote address, Shafiqur Rahman added, “We do not believe in politics of vengeance and retaliation, but we do believe in justice, which is our right. I urge all martyr families to seek justice. Jamaat-e-Islami will stand by you and fight in the legal arena. Perhaps justice will offer some solace, and no one in the future will aspire to be an autocrat. For that reason, we seek justice.”
He continued, “The Awami League has killed many people, and we want justice for each of them from the courts. Our demand to the court is clear: let them face justice as we have, but not be oppressed. If they deserve the death penalty, so be it. If they deserve life imprisonment, then let it be. They always claimed the judiciary is independent and no one is above the law. Neither are you, Awami League.”
Shafiqur Rahman also stated, “The state should show its gratitude by giving government jobs to at least one qualified member from each martyr family. Those who have fought against fascism should be given priority in government employment in the future. If they are given the opportunity to serve the state, they will continue to fight for the country’s progress, just as they fought against fascism.” He further called upon the government to support those still suffering from lack of proper treatment and urged all anti-fascist political parties to stand with them.
He proposed that the history of those who lost their lives to fascism from October 28, 2006, to August 5, 2024, be included in textbooks. Shafiqur Rahman said, “The current and future generations need to understand what fascism did to this country and who fought and resisted it.”
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP’s standing committee, also spoke at the event. Other speakers included Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Central Naib-e-Amir Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam, Dhaka South Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul, head of the 12-party alliance and Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Redwan Ahmed, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Qadir, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, a faction of Gono Odhikar Parishad’s General Secretary Rashed Khan, another faction’s Member Secretary Faruk Hasan, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, and SM Farhad, General Secretary of the Shibir chapter at Dhaka University.
Members of the martyr families also spoke at the discussion, demanding justice for those responsible for the killing of their relatives.
