Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 4^th December, 2023 declaring nationwide peaceful blockade on Wednesday and Thursday and simultaneously protesting the ongoing arrest drives of the leaders and activists.

“The subservient election commission has taken position against the people as they have declared the election schedule ignoring the public sentiment. The election commission actually is working as a hindrance in the path of a free, fair and credible election. The ruling party people have been contesting in this election as either independent or dummy candidates. Thus, they have made the entire electoral process a big farce. Whereas, Jamaat’s appeal plea has been rejected without any hearing. Awami League’s fascist face once again has been exposed with such incident.

The fascist Awami League government has become desperate to stay in office. Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition parties have been arrested. A reign of terror has been created through nationwide arrest drives. In last 24 hours, 6 Jamaat and Chhatrashibir activists have been arrested including Gaibandha district’s Sundarganj Upazila Jamaat Secretary Professor Ataur Rahman and Dhaka south city’s Jatrabari east organizing thana secretary Hafez Mujahidul Islam. I am condemning such repression and arrest drives of the government and demanding immediate and unconditional release of all political detainees.

On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, I am declaring 48-hour long blockade from 6^th December, Wednesday 6 am to 8^th December, 6 am protesting the perverse judgement in Jamaat’s registration case and the declaration of the schedule for holding one-sided election, and also demanding election-time caretaker government, release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other detainees, withdrawal of false cases and for bringing the price hike of all essential commodities. In addition, I am declaring human chain programs in all districts marking the Human Rights Day on 10^th December, Sunday. I am urging the Jamaat leaders and activists and the fellow countrymen to make all the programs successful in order to intensify the ongoing movement.”