‘Dev projects turned ladders for plunder, changing situation our goal’
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, referring to corruption, said that past ruling groups used state assets and institutions for partisan and personal interests.
Development projects were turned into ladders for plunder. Changing this situation is one of our key objectives.
He made these remarks in a televised address broadcast on Bangladesh Television on Monday evening.
During the speech, he described the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum as a historic opportunity to build a “New Bangladesh.”
He further said that the country is standing at the threshold of a historic transformation, and that realizing this change requires collective decision-making and participation by the people.
At the beginning of his speech, he prayed for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs of the July mass uprising and paid deep respect to the martyrs of the Great Liberation War.
He also wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the July movement. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “The July mass uprising was possible because the entire nation united.
The unity of youth, workers, women, professionals, and various political forces made July possible.”
He said July was not an isolated incident; rather, it was a people’s explosion against long-standing discrimination, dynastic politics, human rights violations, and the deprivation of voting rights.
Particularly since 2009, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and turning the electoral system into a ‘farce’ have deprived people of their fundamental rights.
The Jamaat Ameer said the country’s younger generation now wants to see “Bangladesh 2.0”—a just, modern, and discrimination-free state.
This generation is courageous, talented, and technologically adept, and they will build the future Bangladesh.
On state reform, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that although the post-July government initiated some structural reform measures, many plans were either not implemented or remained at a preliminary stage.
To give these reform processes permanence and constitutional grounding, a referendum is being held alongside the national parliamentary election. He urged the people to vote “Yes” in the referendum.
In his speech, he said Jamaat-e-Islami has organized policy summits to ensure public participation in policymaking, and these have been reflected in its election manifesto.
The manifesto was prepared based on the opinions of local and international experts and people from various segments of society.
On women’s rights, he said that no society can prosper unless women’s dignity and security are ensured.
If Jamaat comes to power, women will lead with equal dignity both outside the home and in state governance.
Regarding minorities and human rights, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said Bangladesh belongs to everyone—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians alike.
He pledged that any attempt to persecute people based on religious identity would be resisted.
On international relations and climate issues, he spoke of pursuing a foreign policy based on mutual respect, strengthening efforts to tackle climate change, and intensifying diplomatic initiatives to ensure the safe repatriation of the Rohingya.
He also mentioned plans for parliamentary representation and state recognition for expatriates.
Seeking support for Jamaat-e-Islami and the candidates of the 11-party alliance in the national election scheduled for February 12, the Jamaat Ameer said, “State responsibility is a trust. We pledge to govern the state on the basis of justice and accountability.”