3 December 2022, Sat, 3:43

The first meeting of the Central Majlish-e-Shura for the 2023-25 session was held

People’s government to be established through a fair election under a caretaker government, says Jamaat Ameer

-Dr. Shafiqur Rahman

A meeting of the central Majlish-e-Shura of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was held with Party’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in the chair. The meeting discussed the country’s latest political situation and other burning issues including price hikes of the essentials, bank looting, and financial mismanagement. The meeting adopted the following proposals:

Central Majlish-e-Shura of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is observing with great concern that, a critical situation is prevailing in the country due to the government’s exaggeration and stubborn activities, disrespect towards the law and the constitution, unprecedented corruption, and financial scam. As if, there is no functional government in the country now. Since the Awami League government came to office, they have depoliticized the country through continuous repression, torture, arrest drives, and causing anarchies. Awami League came to the office in 2008 in a bid to create a safe exit for the military-backed caretaker regime. Later, they gradually destroyed the constitutional bodies. They abducted and murdered the opposition leaders and also seized the voting rights of the people away.

In order to linger its tenure, Awami League abolished the caretaker government system. Earlier between 1991 and 1996, they observed strikes for 173 days to establish Jamaat’s brainchild caretaker government system. Following a massive struggle and movement, the caretaker government later became a part of the constitution. The election, which was held in 1991 1996, and 2001 through a caretaker government system, had been appreciated by the world and a democratic trend started to instill in this country.

But as the Awami League government annulled the system, the democracy got collapsed once again. They scrapped the system in line with the excuse of a court verdict. But even that very verdict recommended holding the next two elections under a caretaker government. But Awami League defied that part of the verdict and abolished the entire system to meet their political interest. Such steps created political stalemate and a bad environment for holding a voter-less election.

Under the Awami League regime, the election became a farce. Instead of respecting the public view, they choose some illegal and undemocratic ways. All political parties boycotted the election of 2014. No candidate contested in 154 constituencies. However, Awami League grabbed the office through that farcical election. Following the election, the Prime Minister told it is just an election for maintaining formalities. Another election will be held soon. But she did not keep that promise. Greed for power made her desperate. Awami League started making efforts to stay in office by any means. They again came back to power in 2018 by seizing vote centers and rigging, which started even a night before the election.

The 14-year-long authoritarian regime has destroyed democracy, human rights, freedom of speech, and basic civil rights. The entire electoral system is also ruined. This time, Awami League became lunatic once again to go to power through another voter-less election. Already, Bangladesh is being recognized in the global area as a country without democracy. The nation is united to get rid of this situation.

According to the constitution, each and every citizen has the right to hold rallies and processions. But people are not allowed to hold meetings and gathering. Rallies and processions are being obstructed frequently. Opposition party leaders and activists are being harassed in connection with some fictitious case. The countrymen are united to get their voting rights back.

Central Majlish-e-Shura of Jamaat-e-Islami thinks that, as a part of showing respect to the public view and also for holding a fair and credible election, power should be handed over to a neutral government immediately. But instead of doing it, Awami League is threatening the people and the opponents, which will never bring positive output for the nation. But the existing crises will not be solved through violence, repression, torture, and merciless attacks. It will be better for the nation as soon as the Awami League will realize it.

Jamaat’s central Majlish-e-Shura urged the countrymen to launch an unified massive movement to establish a neutral government in order to secure the voting rights of the people.