Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 30^th November 2023 declaring 48-hour blockade and protesting the ongoing arrest drives, harassment and oppression of the government.

“The election commission has put the nation into severe crisis by declaring schedule for a one-sided election. Major political parties have rejected the schedule already. The election commission has denied the public sentiment and by declaring such schedule, they have taken position against the people. The election commission is actually working as a barrier in the process of holding a free, fair and credible election. In the wake of the criticism in various corners, the government is planning to stage a new drama by allowing dummy candidate to make the election more inclusive apparently. This strategy exposed the bankruptcy of ruling Awami League. Just immediate before the election, the appeal plea of Jamaat-e-Islami has been rejected in the registration case and thus the way for participating election have been made more squeezed. We are condemning ill-politics of the fascist Awami League government.

In order to hold one-sided election once again, the government is still continuing arrest drives and police harassment. Since last 28^th October, some 20,326 Jamaat and other opposition party activists have been arrested in connection with some 837 cases. Total accused of these cases are 73,123. In 35 false cases, conviction has been awarded against some 636 opposition activists. In last 24 hours, 13 Jamaat and Chhatrashibir activists have been arrested. I am condemning all the repressions and arrest drives of the government and demanding immediate release of all political detainees.

On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, I am declaring 48-hour peaceful blockade of road, naval routes and railways from 3^rd December, Sunday 6 am to 5^th December, Tuesday 6am protesting the perverse judgment in Jamaat’s registration case and the declared schedules of one-sided election and also demanding immediate resignation of the government, formation of election-time caretaker government, unconditional release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other political detainees, withdrawal of false cases and for bring the prices of all essentials within the capacity. I am urging the countrymen and the Jamaat leaders and activist to make the declared programs successful.”