Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman assured that if his party is entrusted with leading the country, it will foster development founded on justice. He promised that if given the responsibility to serve the people, their rightful demands would be met without needing to ask for them. He vowed to eradicate extortion even at the cost of blood, ensuring there would be no tyranny or land-grabbing.
Speaking as the chief guest at the historic Workers' Conference held on January 17 at the Town Hall Football Field in Chuadanga, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed a large gathering. The event was organized by the Chuadanga district branch of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami District Ameer Md. Ruhul Amin presided over the meeting which was hosted by District Secretary Advocate Asaduzzaman. Special guests included Central Executive Committee member and Jessore-Kushtia regional coordinator, Mobarak Hossain. Former District Ameer Anwarul Haque Malik, district’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Azizur Rahman, Assistant Secretary Advocate Masud Parvez Russel, and local leaders Shovon Das, Aslam Orko, Sagar Ahmed, and others also spoke at the conference.
During his speech, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that for over 15 and a half years, they were unable to speak freely. He shared how his visits to Chuadanga had to be conducted secretly, and extreme caution was necessary due to the fascist forces that prevented Jamaat-e-Islami from standing peacefully anywhere in the country.
He portrayed the oppressive governance of the Awami League, recounting an incident in Netrokona where a father and son, members of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, respectively, were arrested while having lunch together. A case of treason was filed against them simply for eating together. He condemned previous government’s divide and rule policy by labeling citizens as "pro-liberation" or "anti-liberation" and highlighted that 11 Jamaat leaders had been executed. For 15 and a half years, Jamaat’s offices were closed, activities banned, and homes destroyed by bulldozers.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman reminded the audience that Jamaat’s registration was revoked, a treatment no other political party faced. He described how the fascist government, in a desperate attempt to suppress their growing popularity, officially banned Jamaat-e-Islami on August 1. He posed a rhetorical question, "Which party is the most oppressed in Bangladesh?" The crowd responded, "Jamaat-e-Islami." He pointed out cases of abductions, extrajudicial killings, and the expulsion of Jamaat members from jobs and land.
He accused the Awami League government of corruption, alleging theft from cemeteries, mosques, temples, roads, and infrastructure. He challenged the perpetrators to return and face justice, promising that the people would ensure fair trials. Referring to past statements, he noted that government officials claimed the judiciary was responsible for their actions, and he expressed a desire to subject them to a similar process under fair judicial scrutiny.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the destruction of education systems and the transfer of national wealth to looters, alleging the embezzlement of 26 trillion taka sent abroad. He emphasized that his party seeks inclusive development, involving all citizens irrespective of religion or political beliefs. He compared the current state of the country to a skeletal structure, promising to rebuild it with justice-based development.
Declaring Chuadanga a neglected district, he stressed the need for a medical college to improve healthcare. He assured residents that if Jamaat leads the government, their demands will be met with justice, and leaders will serve as public servants rather than rulers.
He argued that corruption and misrule are intertwined, adding that even in Chuadanga, extortion and land-grabbing is going on. He questioned whether these practices justified the sacrifices made by their youth, demanding justice over continued exploitation.
He commended the youth for demonstrating responsible leadership, describing their approach as "hot-blooded but cool-headed." He pledged to protect the independence gained through their sacrifices, even at the cost of their lives, until justice is achieved.
In conclusion, he called on political allies to commit to ending extortion, land-grabbing, bribery, intimidation, and dishonoring others, and to refrain from internal conflicts that divide the nation.
In his address as a special guest, Mobarak Hossain remarked that the massive public support in 2024 was not spontaneous; it was earned through sacrifices. He emphasized that leaders gave their lives, and thousands of people died for the cause. He expressed the desire to build a society based on justice and a country free from corruption, urging everyone to work towards this goal. He also called for the implementation of Jamaat’s 41-point agenda and advocated for elections based on proportional representation to ensure good governance.
Aslam Arko, Convener of the District Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demanded justice for the incidents of girls being attacked in Chuadanga. He noted that even after independence, extortion has not ceased, and he warned perpetrators to be cautious. He stressed the importance of reforms before elections, stating that they aspire to build a beautiful and just nation.
In his presidential address, Md. Ruhul Amin described the previous governance in Chuadanga as a reign of monsters. He expressed a commitment to rebuilding and reshaping the district into a better place.
