‘AL has no right to do politics’
Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has ruled out the Awami League’s return to politics, describing the party as a “club of fascism” and claiming that it has lost all moral and democratic rights to engage in political activities in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a discussion and views-exchange meeting with family members of victims of the October 28, 2006 ‘logi-boitha’ clashes in the capital on Tuesday, he warned against attempts to rehabilitate the Awami League following its ban on political activities.
“If politics means public welfare, nation-building, ensuring social justice, and
eliminating discrimination, the Awami League possesses none of those qualities. Therefore, they have no right to do politics in Bangladesh,” he said.
The programme was organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) Bhaban in Dhaka.
The Jamaat chief issued a strong warning to those seeking to bring the Awami League back into the political arena.
“Some quarters are pampering them. Do not play with venomous snakes, this very snake will strike and finish you. No one should even daydream about the return of fascism in Bangladesh,” he said.
Questioning the prospect of the party’s political rehabilitation, Shafiqur Rahman asked how those who allegedly ordered indiscriminate firing on unarmed young people and left mothers grieving for their children could return to politics and receive public honours.
Recalling the October 28, 2006 clashes involving ‘logi-boithas’ (poles and boat hooks) in Paltan, he alleged that the Awami League had relied on state-sponsored violence, bloodshed and unlawful killings to retain power, from the 1972-75 period through its last 15 and a half years in office.
He further alleged that after returning to power through what he described as the backdoor, the Awami League withdrew murder cases related to the 2006 violence, only to later secure the execution of senior Jamaat leaders in what he termed ‘false cases’.
“They must bear the consequences of their misdeeds. We will see the end of this trial,” he said.
Reaffirming that Jamaat would not compromise on the deaths of those it considers martyrs, the opposition leader called for fair and exemplary trials of all those responsible for political killings.
He also urged the current government to honour the public mandate for fundamental political change and move ahead with constitutional reforms to prevent the return of authoritarian rule.
