Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 2nd February 2023 protesting and condemning the arrest of Jamaat leaders and activists from different places of the country.

“Police has unjustifiably arrested Gaibandha district Jamaat Ameer and Sadar Upazila council’s former chairman Abdul Karim on 1st February midnight and 11 leaders and activists from Hasmot Fakir’s residence located in Bijoypur area of Narail municipality on 30th January midnight. I am vehemently condemning the arrest drives.

The government is not allowing any party to conduct its political activities. The government is detaining thousands of leaders and activists and torturing them mercilessly. But despite such repression, Jamaat is continuing its normal political activities. We want to assert that Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic political party. The constitution allows all parties to operate their political activities. Nobody has the right to deprive any party of exercising these rights.

The government has seized the rights of freedom of expression and other fundamental rights. The entire nation has turned into a police state. Law enforcement agencies, instead of playing their due responsibility, are being used as a tool of oppression. History says the consequence of subduing the dissident views would be dangerous.

I am urging the countrymen to raise their voices against the incumbent tyrannical government. Besides, I am calling upon the concerned authorities to release all detained leaders and activists including Abdul Karim immediately.