Staff Reporter :
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said the people of Bangladesh no longer want “old, rotten and foul politics” and are seeking a fresh start under a “New Bangladesh.” He made the remarks at a rally held at the BRP ground in Dhaka’s Bhashantek area in support of SM Khaliduzzaman, the party’s nominee for the Dhaka-17 constituency.
Speaking as the chief guest, Shafiqur said that the future government must be a “people’s government,” where officials prioritise public interest over personal gains. “People do not want a government that betrays them by promising change but only changing its own fate,” he added.
Referring to the July uprising, he said, “A great deal of blood and lives were sacrificed for change. People hoped fascism would leave this land forever. Sadly, it has not. A section of the fascists may have left, but fascism still remains.” He cited corruption, extortion, land grabbing, disrespect for women, and attempts to destabilise the country as evidence that remnants of authoritarianism persist.
On the upcoming national elections in February, Shafiqur said voters would support those whose programmes they believe in and whose words they trust. “If people choose us, we will call upon all political parties and forces to stand with us. We will build the country together,” he said.
Without naming any party, he alleged that some “old terrorists” are attempting to return to power through new forms. He claimed that Jamaat’s campaign rallies have faced attacks, with women being targeted and party posters and materials destroyed.
Addressing propaganda against his party, Shafiqur said, “There are attempts to mislead people by saying that Jamaat would confine women if it comes to power. We will respond to all such propaganda through our actions, not words. The days of misleading people with lies are over.”
He assured that his party would deliver a responsible government. “We will give a responsible nation a responsible government, In sha Allah,” he said.
Shafiqur also addressed the rights of religious minorities, stating, “Every citizen has the freedom to practise any religious belief. There will be no coercion. In the next election, some of our candidates will be from minority communities. We want to bring the nation on a platform of unity through this.”
The rally was presided over by Jamaat’s Dhaka North city Ameer Muhammad Selim Uddin. SM Khaliduzzaman, the Dhaka-17 candidate, addressed the gathering as special guest, while Jahidul Islam, central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, and other party leaders also spoke.
