Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 1st December 2023 protesting the ongoing torture and arrest drives and also urging to observe predeclared blockade programs.

The election commission has put the nation into severe crisis by declaring schedule for one-sided election. The majority parties have rejected this schedule. By declaring the schedule, the commission paved the way for a voter-less election and simultaneously ensured victory for the ruling Awami League. The opposition parties are conducting movement against the schedule and blueprint design for a farcical election. Watching the people's response, the government has become fearful and as such they have intensified their harassment and arrest drives.

In last 24 hours, some 22 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami have been arrested from various places of the country including Gazipur city Jamaat secretary Muhammad Khairul Hasan, Narayanganj city’s Shidhdhirganj thana Ameer Kafil Uddin and Sirajganj district's Kamarkhand Upazila Ameer Maulana Yousuf Ali. Earlier, on last 16th October, some helmet-wearing attacked and physically assaulted Natore district's Noldanga Upazila Jamaat's working committee member Maulana Nomani. They broke his right hand. On the following day, Maulana Nomani went to the local police station to lodge a case but police denied to accept his allegation. But today after the Friday prayer, victim Maulana Nomani has been arrested. I am vehemently and condemning the ongoing repression, torture and arrest drives of the tyrant government and demanding immediate release of the political detainees.

Finally, I am urging the Jamaat leaders and activists and the fellow countrymen to observe nationwide blockade for 48 hours from 3rd December Sunday 6am and 5th December 6am peacefully in order to take the ongoing movement into its peak.