- Election will not be fair under Sheikh Hasina led government
- No initiative has been taken to create level playing ground
Acting Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman’s addressed in an emergency press conference seeking the assistance and support of the countrymen for holding grand rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel of the capital on 28th October, Saturday demanding the immediate resignation of the government for facilitating a free, fair, participatory and credible election under the non-party caretaker government, release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other political leaders and activists, religious scholars, withdrawal of all false cases and curbing the price hike of the essentials.
Jamaat’s central executive committee member and Dhaka south city Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul hosted the press meet. Among others, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Assistant Secretary General and former MP Hamidur Rahman Azad, central executive committee member Mobarak Hossain, central working committee member and Dhaka north city Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa and Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir’s Central President Razibur Rahman Polash were present on the occasion.
Acting Ameer and former lawmaker Professor Mujibur Rahman’s speech to the nation is given below:
Dear journalist friends
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.
We have come here in front of you in a very crucial juncture of Bangladesh. As you all know that, the 12th national election is scheduled to be held shortly. But still no congenial atmosphere is apparent which is necessary for holding a free, fair and credible election. Creating a level playing field is a precondition for holding a fair election. But so far, the government has not taken any effective initiative to create such a level playing field. Most of the political parties, civil society members, journalists, intellectuals and people of different professions and walks think that there is no alternative to caretaker government to ensure a free, fair, credible and participatory election. Because earlier the elections which had been taken place under the caretaker government, were appreciated and gained credibility both in home and abroad. But paying no heed to such demand of the pro-democracy people, the government is mulling to hold another one-party election. Accordingly, they have reshuffled the entire administration with their party cadres.
Dear journalist friends.
In 2006, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina had termed the then immediately retired chief justice K M Hasan as a BNP-man and claimed that election under his administration would not be fair. Subsequently, she and her party initiated a movement so that Justice K M Hasan could not take the charge as the head of the caretaker government. Afterwards on 28th October 2006, Awami League cadres and goons murdered several people on the street of Dhaka and created an anarchic situation. The nation wants to know, if an election under Justice K M Hasan could not be credible as per their argument, then how it will be possible to hold a fair and credible election under a government led by Awami League president Sheikh Hasina? Actually, it is her double standard. The countrymen think that fair election is not possible at all under the government of Sheikh Hasina.
Dear journalist brothers,
In last 15 years, the incumbent fascist government has completely ruined the electoral systems of the country. Awami League came to the power again following a voter less election of 2014. Actually, that was not election. The ruling party candidates became winner in 154 constituencies uncontested. It means, more than 50% of the total voters could not cast their vote in that election. Then again in 2018 election, they secured their victory by casting votes in the previous night before the actual election day. It has been considered as the election of midnight throughout the world. Election can never be fair under the incumbent oppressor government. Jamaat-e-Islami has been saying repeatedly that without a caretaker government, the people will not be able to elect their preferable government. At present, the government is trying to hold another predesigned and farcical election based on a lame excuse that the constitution has no space for caretaker government. But the people will not let the government to implement their conspiracy is this time.
Dear journalist friends,
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic political party. Jamaat had played historic rule in all the previous democratic movement of the country. But now, Jamaat-e-Islami is not allowed to hold meeting, processions and rallies. Despite written applications to the administration for several times seeking assistance to hold rallies and processions, instead of extending assistance and support, the administration is creating bar and abstraction. Besides, to create bar in way forward to a participatory election, they have kept Jamaat Ameer and other senior opposition leaders and activists behind the bar for years- which is a bad sign for the nation.
This time, once again, to avail the constitutional rights Jamaat-e-Islami has informed the DMP Commissioner in written format seeking assistance to hold grand rally in Shapla Chattar of the capital on next 28th October. But in the meantime, a biased officer of Dhaka Metropolitan Police already told some media that Jamaat-e-Islami will not be allowed to hold grand rally on that day. Police’s obligation is to assist in holding peaceful demonstration, rally and processions, not to create obstruction. But his remark is totally unconstitutional undemocratic and unlawful. We are vehemently condemning the remarks of the particular biased police officer.
The main obligation of the law enforcers of the country is to assist the political parties to hold its rallies and processions. To organize peaceful political programs is a constitutional right of a political party and it is the duty of the law enforcement agencies to help and assist the parties so that they can avail this constitutional right. But they cannot create bar in exercising such rights. It is completely undemocratic and unconstitutional approach. We are urging the law enforcers to be refrained from playing such biased role this time.
Dear journalists.
As you all know that, the law enforcers have arrested central executive committee member of Jamaat-e-Islami, party’s media and publicity secretary and former central president of Islami Chhatrashibir Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda from his residence on 25th October morning while he was critically sick. Not only Mr. Matiur Rahman Akanda, police have also arrested hundreds of leaders and activists from various places of the country in last couple of days. The law enforcers have been conducting raid continuously in the houses and offices of Jamaat leaders and activists just to harass their family members. Even, the women and the children are not a spread from such harassment. we are urging to stop such repression, torture, harassment and arrest drives immediately.
Dear journalist friends,
The incumbent government has turned the nation into a failure state in last 15 years by conducting numerous murders, anarchy, abduction, enforced disappearances, corruption and misrule. Bangladesh has become known to the world as a nation without democracy, basic human rights including the voting rights. The parliamentary election is set to be held just 2 months later. As a systematic and democratic party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has been demanding repeatedly to hold the next election under a caretaker government, to release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other opposition leaders and activists, religious scholars, to withdraw the false cases and to bring the price of essentials within the ability of the general people. But ignoring such logical demands, the government is continuing its arrest drive. Under the circumstances, the entire nation has become united to press home their one-point demand. As such, we have declared grand rally on next 28th October in Shapla Chattar of the capital demanding immediate dissolve of the Parliament and simultaneously to arrange next election under a caretaker government. We are urging the countrymen and the party manpower to take part in this program in a disciplined way to make it successful. We are also drawing their attention not to be entrapped by the provocation of the government and also not to engage in any type of unconstitutional and anti-democratic activities.
On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, I am thinking you all for listening to my address with patience. I am also thinking the countrymen.
Allah Hafez. Bangladesh Zindabad
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Zindabad
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
