Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 23rd February 2023 protesting the arrest of 9 Jamaat leaders and activists from Khulna district.

“Police have carried out a raid in several houses on last 22nd February night and arrested Khulna district Jamaat secretary Munshi Mizanur Rahman and 2 others from the district and another 6 leaders and activists from Khulna city unjustifiably. I am vehemently condemning this arrest drive.

The incumbent tyrannical government has been oppressing and torturing Jamaat leaders and activists for many years by using state machinery. The government has seized people’s freedom of speech and other basic rights away. The entire nation has turned into a police state. Instead of playing the regular duties, the law enforcers are being used as a tool of the government. But the consequence of subduing the dissident views will never be positive for anyone.

We want to assert that Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic political party. The constitution has guaranteed all parties to operate their political activities. No one has the authority to deprive others of these rights. No just movement could have been diminished by arresting the political leaders in the past and it will not happen this time as well.

I am urging the countrymen to raise voice against this oppressor government. Besides, I am calling upon the concerned authorities to stop repression and release all detained Jamaat leaders and activists immediately.”