Jamaat Ameer warns govt against following path of AL, oppressors

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday warned that the BNP government is following the same footsteps of ousted autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina and her banned party, Awami League (AL) – warning that the path leads to an “escape route.”

The of oppressors is one for fleeing, he said at a large public gathering on Kazi Azhar Ali High School ground in Bonarpara, Saghata upazila of Gaibandha.

The rally was organised to demand justice for the killings of Shibir leader Saifullah Bari and Salauddin allegedly by people linked to the ruling party – and to protest the deterioration of the law and order situation across the country.

It was also aimed at gathering public support for the implementation of July Charter and the February referendum verdict.

At the rally, Shafiqur said, “The path that Apa [ousted premier Sheikh Hasina] took, you are now following the same path. This is the path of escape for an oppressor. If you follow this path, you will not be able to go to Makkah; you will have to go to Delhi.”

“Fascism does not belong to any particular party; it is a virus. Driving out one fascism is not enough. The people do not want any more fascism. No fascism will be allowed to take root on the soil of Bengal.”

Addressing the crowd, the Jamaat chief further said, “Stay prepared. Just as you took to the streets in 2024, you may have to take to the streets again. For the welfare of the nation, I will take to the streets not once but a hundred times, InshaAllah.”

Shafiqur said, “The current government officials as well as the opposition party were oppressed for the past 15 years. Would the oppressed now want to become oppressors again? Since the formation of this government, five of our people have been killed. Do we want a reign of killings to be established again? No, we do not. So, let us put a full stop here. Do not take another step towards killing. The people of Bangladesh, especially the youth, are not afraid of anyone’s intimidation.”