Acting Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Maulana A N M Shamsul Islam has issued the following statement on 24^th June, 2018 protesting and condemning the unjustifiable arrest of 210 audiences and viewers from a Eid reunion and cultural program in Chittagong, organized by a cultural forum namely Parabar on 23^rd June at 8 pm.

“The incident of arresting 210 audiences and viewers from a Eid reunion and cultural program in Chittagong, organized by Parabar, a cultural forum on last 23^rd June is pathetic. I am vehemently protesting and condemning the incident.

Government’s fascist face has been exposed once again through this incident as they arrested 210 audiences and viewers from an in house and simple entertaining program. This incident also proved that the government has turned the nation into a police state. These innocent people have been arrested because of the government’s harassing initiative. There is no logic behind such public harassment. Such an incident is completely unexpected and unprecedented.

I am urging the concerned authorities to release all the detainees immediately.”