Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 8th September 2023 protesting and condemning the police’s attack on the peaceful procession of Dhaka south city Jamaat, and simultaneously condemning the arrests of around 50 leaders and activists and the passer-by during the procession.

Dhaka south city organized a peaceful procession in Jatrabari of the capital today protesting the obstruction and attacks while organizing funerals in absentia of Allama Sayedee, simultaneously condemning the arrests of hundreds of leaders and activists nationwide and demanding the restoration of the caretaker government system. Police at that time fired rubber bullets and tear shell and created a reign of panic in the area. They arrested around 50 leaders and activists and the passer-by at that time. Police such attacks against the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatrashibir without any reason and provocation is unexpected and unacceptable. I am vehemently condemning police’s attacks against the procession of Jamaat-e-Islami and their unlawful arrest drives.

The government is not allowing any parties to continue its political activities. They are torturing and harassing thousands of Jamaat leaders and activists unlawfully. Despite such torture and repression, Jamaat-e-Islami is continuing its natural political activities peacefully.

It the constitutional right of a party to hold processions and rallies. No one has the right to deprive a party from availing such right. The government has created a reign of terror nationwide. The government is trying to linger its tenure by harassing the opposition men in connection with false and concocted case. But they will not be able to do so by continuing oppression and torture.

The incumbent undemocratic and fascist government has seized all the basic rights of the opposition parties including Jamaat-e-Islami. They do not have the mentality to accept criticism. They have turned the entire nation a police state. The law enforcers are being used as a tool of repression instead of conducting their professional duties. I am urging the countrymen to raise voice against all undemocratic practices of the government.

I am calling upon the concerned authorities to stop torture and harassment and to release all the persons who have been arrested from the procession of Dhaka south city Jamaat. Besides, I am insisting to establish a caretaker government and to hold a free, fair and credible election under that government.