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Published : 28 Oct 2024, 07:56 PM
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has said the Awami League has ‘no moral right’ to engage in politics due to its alleged involvement in “genocide”.
Addressing a discussion at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh Auditorium in Dhaka on Monday to commemorate the victims of the Oct 28, 2006 ‘Logi-Boitha’ violence, Shafiqur condemned the party's past actions.
He said, “In 1996, their [Awami League] party leader claimed that if one of their members was killed, they would retaliate with ten deaths. This time, they did not say it, but they did it. To vent their anger on the nation, they murdered innocent people and burnt their bodies with petrol. And now, they claimed they wanted to engage in politics and contest elections here again.”
“How can those who have fought against the nation seek votes in an election? They have no moral right to do so,” he added.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said the Awami League had transformed this country into a state of turmoil.
“In 1996, they [Awami League] pleaded for forgiveness for past crimes, asking the public for one opportunity to demonstrate patriotism. The public granted it, and in return, they gifted us bloodshed and corpses.”
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader also spoke on the nation’s political climate, stressing the importance of unity among citizens against fascism.
“Those of us engaged in politics must be vigilant, especially on matters of national crises and interests. We must not allow divisions in these fundamental areas,” he added
‘WE MUST UNITE AGAINST FASCISM’
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said: “To build the country, everyone must be united. Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, and other parties must set aside their differences and work together towards a common goal to rebuild this country.”
“Otherwise, our neighbouring country India will continue to toy with this country for the rest of our lives. This cannot be allowed to happen,” he added.
The BNP leader said, “We appreciate the outcomes of our enduring struggle, having achieved our aim on the 5th of August—a Bangladesh free from Hasina. Now, we seek a Bangladesh without the Awami League.”
He continued, “The Awami League and democracy can never coexist. We are pleased that they are gone. However, there is no real reason to celebrate. Their loyalists are still present in politics, culture, the secretariat, and the military. You cannot establish democracy in Bangladesh with them in place.”
He urged everyone to remain vigilant against these ‘accomplices of fascism’.
Abbas called for bringing all those involved in the murders during the Logi-Boitha movement to justice.
