Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 20th November, 2023 expressing deep gratitude to the countrymen and the Jamaat leaders and activists for making the strike programs of 19th and 20th November successful and simultaneously condemning the torture and repression of the government.

“I am thanking my fellow countrymen and the Jamaat leaders and activists for making the strike programs of 19th and 20th November which have been declared demanding the resignation of the oppressor regime, formation of caretaker government, immediate release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, political detainees and other religious scholars, withdrawal of the false cases and for bringing the prices of the essentials within people’s capacity.

The countrymen observed the strike spontaneously and thus they rejected the election schedule for a one-sided election. The people instantly organized demonstration protesting this election schedule. Defying the views of the opposition parties, such declaration of the election schedule is nothing but a part of conspiracy. The election commission has taken the strategy to keep the opposition parties outside the electoral process in order to secure the victory of the ruling party. But the people will not allow them to materialize this conspiracy. Addressing the election commission, we want to say that the schedule of the one-sided election must be cancelled. Otherwise, they have to take the liabilities of the subsequent untoward consequences.

There is no congenial atmosphere to hold a fair election. The required level-playing field is a far cry. To create a desired level-playing field, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other top opposition leaders must be freed. All false cases must be withdrawn. Jamaat’s central office and other city offices must be opened.

The government did not allow the citizens to cast their votes in 2014 and 2018. They have grabbed the office through a one-sided election. Different quarters from home and abroad called upon the government to resolve the ongoing political stalemate. But the government is paying no heed to such call. We want to warn that the government will be not allowed play tricky game with democracy this time. Their conspiracy for holding one-sided election will be resisted.

Police has arrested Natore district Jamaat’s Bagatipara Upazila Ameer Maulana AKM Afzal Hossain, Rajshahi district’s Mundumala municipality Ameer Maulana Anisur Rahman and two others on 19th November evening. In another incident, Awami goons attacked a procession of Jamaat-e-Islami in Morolganj of Bagerhat and seized two motor cycles away. Later, police came to the spot and arrested 3 others. In last 24 hours, police arrested 144 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami. I am condemning all these repressions and arrest drives and demanding release of all detainees.

Besides, I am urging the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and the fellow countrymen to make the declared programs successful.”