Ameer-e-Jamaat

2025-01-04

Worker's Conference Held in Muktagacha Upazila

A catastrophic crisis awaits the nation if the interim government fails

–Professor Mia Golam Porwar

Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former Member of Parliament Professor Mia Golam Porwar warned that a catastrophic crisis would befall the nation if the interim government fails. He stated, "Some people have become restless. If we have exercised patience for 15 and a half years, can’t we wait a little longer? People will vote for whoever they choose.

We are moving forward for the upcoming election on the basis of national unity. Everyone must be vigilant to thwart conspiracies aimed at obstructing free and fair elections." He expressed these views while speaking as the chief guest at a worker's conference organized by the Muktagacha Upazila branch of Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday afternoon at the RK Government Model High School field in Mymensingh.

The conference was presided over by Upazila Ameer Principal Shamsul Haque. Jamaat-e-Islami’s central executive committee member and party’s media and publicity secretary Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda addressed the program as the special guest. Among others, Jamaat’s central executive committee member and Dhaka South City Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Mymensingh regional coordinator Samiul Haq Faruquee, Mymensingh district Ameer Abdul Karim, Nayeb-e-Ameer Kamrul Hasan Milon, former central president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir Hafez Rashedul Islam and Monjurul Islam, and other regional and local leaders addressed the program. The program session was hosted by Upazila Jamaat secretary Abdullah Muhammad Mujahid.

Despite severe cold, processions of leaders and activists from various unions and wards gathered at the venue early in the morning, filling the entire field and its surrounding roads with enthusiastic crowds. Witnesses noted that such a large gathering had not been seen since independence, speculating that more people would have attended had the weather been better.

Professor Golam Porwar began his speech by praying for the souls of those killed during the July-August uprisings and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. He declared that the nation had endured a dark age over the past decade and a half, likening the oppressive period to the ignorance of pre-Islamic times. He accused the government of destroying democracy, suffocating free speech, and plunging the country into systemic corruption and authoritarian rule.

Criticizing the Awami League, Porwar said, "They came to power talking about democracy but forgot their promises. They have conducted one-sided elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024, making a mockery of democracy. Votes were cast the night before elections, and citizens were told their votes were unnecessary. Protesters faced brutal repression."

He revisited the caretaker government issue, claiming that former Jamaat Ameer Professor Ghulam Azam had first proposed its framework. Despite broad support, Sheikh Hasina disregarded it, later annulling it through court manipulation. Parwar condemned her actions as dictatorial, asserting that the judiciary and public opinion were ignored.

Secretary General said, He said that elections must be free, fair, and impartial. Over the past 15-16 years, everything has been politicized. The country had been drowning in corruption and mismanagement. Now, efforts are being made for reforms. However, the current interim government can carry out necessary reforms and hold elections quickly. We want to give the government the minimum time required for this. Otherwise, elections similar to those of 2014, 2018, or 2024 could happen again.

He said some people are desperate for elections. If they have waited 15 years, waiting a few more months should not be an issue. Voting must be arranged in a manner that allows people to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

He commented that the Hasina government has ruined the economy. Economist Debapriya Bhattacharya has stated that he would not have known, had he not taken responsibility, how Hasina, Rehana, and their relatives have looted and smuggled billions of taka.

Calling for justice for Hasina and her government, he said that rushing the judicial process would disrupt it. Legal proceedings must begin before the election so that people understand that justice has at least started.

Professor Mia Golam Porwar also mentioned that their leader stated the future leadership should be handed over to the youth—those who are honest, capable, and committed to justice. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami is capable of contesting all 300 seats in the election. However, whether they will participate in an alliance or independently will be decided in due time. Preparations for the election are already underway.

He stated that they are open to unity with anyone opposing fascism. They are moving forward based on national unity for the upcoming election, aiming to establish a just state. Although the constitution once mentioned justice, people never received its benefits. Now, only by creating a welfare state can the people achieve the justice they have long desired, where no one will be subjected to oppression.

Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand said, "The fascist Awami government has ruled the country for 15 and a half years. They have completely destroyed all the structures of the nation." He added that this field in Mymensingh’s Muktagacha is a land of martyrs, a field of those who sacrificed their lives in the anti-discrimination movement. No one will be allowed any opportunity for oppression, persecution, or corruption here. He said, "Our way of life will be guided by Islam. Once this is implemented, theft, corruption, bribery, robbery, and all other forms of injustice will cease to exist in the country."

He stated that their leaders were subjected to torture and asked to surrender. They were told to leave Jamaat-e-Islami, but they embraced death with smiles on their faces. Yet, they did not surrender to anyone. "We know how to give our lives for truth and for Islam, but we do not know how to bow down to anyone."

Addressing the law enforcement authorities, he asked, "Our brother Moniruzzaman was attacked, and a case was filed. But why have they not arrested anyone yet? Does this mean the allies of fascism are still comfortably entrenched within the administration?" He demanded the immediate arrest and trial of the attackers.

Akand further said that no one should create political division in the country. Everyone should carry out their duties normally. The people will decide who they want to entrust with running the country. There will be no tolerance for thuggery or criminal activities anywhere. "The country was freed from fascism with blood, and we will not accept its return."

In his speech as a special guest, Nurul Islam Bulbul said, “For the last 16-17 years, a fascist government has exploited the country. On August 5, through a mass uprising of students and people, the nation discovered a new Bangladesh. People have gained freedom of speech, the ability to express opinions, and the right to hold meetings and assemblies.”

He stated, “Under the tyrannical rule of the Hasina government, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir faced the worst repression. The Awami League unjustly filed false cases and executed our leaders in a brutal manner. They unleashed a steamroller of persecution on the leaders and activists. They locked all Jamaat and Shibir offices from central to ward levels. They killed over 500 leaders and activists. They drove hundreds of thousands from their homes, forced them out of jobs and businesses, and pushed them into a life of hardship. More than 20,000 cases were filed against them. The party's registration was canceled, its symbol was confiscated, and even the party was banned.”

Bulbul further added, “The Awami League believed that by carrying out such oppression, they could eradicate Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir. But their dream did not come true. Today, this massive gathering itself is proof that Jamaat-e-Islami has become stronger than ever before.”

The leaders concluded with calls for unity, asserting that Jamaat is stronger than ever and ready to participate in upcoming elections, aiming to establish an equitable state rooted in justice.