Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Maqbul Ahmad has issued the following statement on 12th April, 2017 extending greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Pahela Boishakh, Shuva Nababarsha (the first day of the Bengali New Year).
“Bangla Nababarsha is knocking at our door. Our treaders and businessmen are used to observe the Halkhata program on the eve of this day. Pahela Boishakh has been observing as the Bangla Nababarsha since the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar to facilitate the taxation process.
The nation is going to celebrate Bangla Nababarsha in such a critical period, when the authoritarian government is ruling the nation. The government sent democracy, voting rights, rule of law and justice to exile. In the name of democracy, the government is carrying out unprecedented repression and torture against the general masses. Central Bank’s reserve fund has been looted, incident of raping women and girls and enforced disappearance are being taken place continuously. Many innocent peoples have become the victim of extra judicial killing. Looting and corruption has been continuing in a widespread way.
The shackle of slavery has been put on the nation by signing an imbalanced defence deal with India. Media has been suppressed and subdued. People’s basic rights including freedom of speeches have been snatched away. In the name of Mongol Pradip and Mangal Shovajatra, some anti-national cultural elements are being inserted. Conspiracies are going on to destroy Islamic education, heritage and culture. The nation wants to get rid of this situation. Bangla Nababarsha has appeared before us with that call this time.
Let us make a vow to stand once again, so that the people of Bangladesh can build this country like our own to live with peace, comfort and tranquillity. On this auspicious occasion of the New Year, I am wishing peace, prosperity and good health of the countrymen and extending greetings to the countrymen on behalf of my party. Besides, I am calling upon the countrymen to come forward to build a society free from suppression on the basis of equality and justice.