*Caretaker Government system to be restored
*Demands immediate release of Jamaat Ameer
*Price hikes of essentials to be checked
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Ameer and former lawmaker Professor Mujibur Rahman has addressed a press conference today on 24th July demanding the restoration of the caretaker government system, immediate release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other detained leaders, activists and religious scholars, for curbing the price hike of the essentials and protesting the administration’s denial of holding rallies in different parts of the country and declared 3 days program.
Central Executive Committee member of Jamaat-e-Islami and party’s central publicity secretary Matiur Rahman Akanda hosted the conference. Among others, party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Assistant Secretary General and former MP Hamidur Rahman Azad, central executive committee member and Dhaka south city Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Dhaka north city’s Acting Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa, Dhaka north city’s Dr. Rezaul Karim and Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir’s Secretary General Monjurul Islam were present on the occasion. Professor Mujibur Rahman’s address to the nation is given below:
Dear journalist friends,
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.
As you know, 0nly 5 months are left to hold next parliamentary election. The entire nation is united about restoring the caretaker government system in a bid to hold a free, fair and credible election. But the government is plotting conspiracy similar farcical election like 2014 and 2018. Accordingly, the government has politicized the total administrative structure. In the name of RPO amendment, they have the election commission subservient. Jamaat-e-Islami is not allowed to hold meeting and rallies. Police denied the written pleas of Jamaat-e-Islami and continue to harass the local Jamaat leaders and activists. They have kept Jamaat Ameer and other political leaders and opposition leaders and activists to create bar in holding elections.
Fellow journalists,
In last 15 years, the electoral structure of Bangladesh has been destroyed completely. No election, including the parliamentary election, local government elections were not held properly. The recent by-election of Dhaka-17 constituency again proved that fair and credible election is not possible under the current regime. The statements of the election commissioners have frustrated the nation. Jamaat has said repeatedly that the people will not be able to cast their votes without a caretaker government. The ministers and the ruling party MPs are frequently talking about a farcical election by the giving the excuse of the constitution. They often talked about uninterrupted election. They are not interested to make the election participatory. But the countrymen will not let them implement this conspiracy.
Dear journalists,
You have been observing that the people have raised their voices protesting against the misrule, human rights violation, murder, enforced disappearances and issuance of false cases against the opposition parties and its leaders and activists. The government is no more popular now. They are using the law enforcement agencies to implement their political agenda. Huge polices have been deployed in Sylhet, raids are being carried out in Chittagong city, attacks are being made on the opposition candidates, 11 Jamaat men have been arrested from Kuakata, assaults have been made on the programs of BNP on 18th and 19th August. Police’s non-cooperation in allowing oppositions to hold rallies have proved that the law enforcers are being used to materialize party’s decision. I am urging the law enforcers to act their professional duties fairly.
Fellow journalists,
Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Maulana ANM Shamsul Islam, Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, central Majlish-e-Shura member and former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, central executive committee member Mohammad Selim Uddin have been kept behind the bar so that they cannot take part in the upcoming elections. Despite the bail orders, the authorities have been denying their release for creating obstruction in the way toward an inclusive election. Keeping potential candidates behind the bar and taking preparation for election is nothing but a farce.
My journalist friends,
People are suffering terribly due to price hike of the essentials. Prices of all items including lentils, rice, oil, vegetables, green chilies and spices have increased alarmingly. The government also increased the prices of utility items like gas, water and electricity for several times. Under the patronization of the government, a vested quarter is controlling the market.
Under the present circumstances, problems cannot be solved without a genuine elected government. So the parliament must be dissolved immediately and subsequently initiatives should be taken for holding a free, fair, credible and participatory election. Effective measures must be taken to check the price hike of the essentials. Jamaat-e-Islami should be allowed to exercise its constitutionally-guaranteed rights of holding meeting and rallies.
To fulfil the demands, I am declaring peaceful processions at all cities on 28th July and in all districts on 30th July and peaceful rally in Dhaka city on 1st August. I am urging the countrymen and seeking the assistance from the administration to make the declared programs successful.
I am completing my address by thanking you all.
Allah Hafez
Bangladesh Jindabad
