America on one side of scales, India on the other: Charmonai Pir

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has alleged that those promoting the “scales” symbol represent vested interests rather than justice, claiming they are secretly aligned with foreign powers.

Addressing an election rally at 12:30pm yesterday under the hand fan symbol, he said the scales were being portrayed as a symbol of fairness and justice, but questioned that claim. “Now we see two sides of the scales —America on one side of the scales secretly, and India on the other,” he said.

“We are the people of Bangladesh. We do not want American justice, nor Indian justice. We want Islamic justice.”

The rally was chaired by Mufti Abdul Malek Anwari, convener of Islami Andolan’s Bauphal upazila committee and a candidate contesting with the hand fan symbol.

Referring to the aspirations that emerged after the student-led public uprising, the Charmonai Pir said people had hoped for a country free from oppression and repression.

However, he claimed those hopes were now fading due to what he described as the blueprint of power-hungry vested groups.

He argued that it was not possible to bring meaningful change by running the state under the existing legal framework. “Neither BNP nor Jamaat has said they will govern the country based on Islam. They have said they will continue with the conventional system. We have said that if Islami Andolan Bangladesh comes to power, we will govern the state based on Islam,” he said.

He further claimed that the prevailing system had turned Bangladesh into a “champion of corruption” several times, alleging that thousands of mothers had lost their children under such governance.

Seeking votes for the hand fan symbol, the Charmonai Pir said every vote cast in its favour would strengthen the cause of Islam.

He urged people from all walks of life, including new voters, to support his party.

Among others who addressed the rally were Islami Andolan central leaders Nasir Ahmed Kawsar and Habibur Rahman Misbah, Patuakhali district president Hawladar Md Selim Mia, Bauphal upazila member secretary Alhaj Abul Hossain Hawladar, and Maulana Nurul Amin.

Earlier, the Charmonai Pir also addressed another election rally at Shaheed Alauddin Shishu Park in Patuakhali town.