North Bangladesh has been mistreated and deprived since independence: Jamaat chief

Shafiqur Rahman says development has long failed to reach the northernmost parts of the country

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has said North Bangladesh, despite playing a vital role in bolstering the country’s food supply, has been deliberately deprived since the country’s independence.

“Since the creation of Bangladesh, North Bangladesh has not been poor — it has been kept poor,” Shafiqur said on Friday.

“I have come here to witness that deprivation. North Bangladesh has been treated like a stepmother.”

He made the remarks while addressing an election rally organised by the Ten-Party Unity Alliance at the Panchagarh District Sugar Mill ground.

Calling North Bangladesh “part of the heart of the nation,” Shafiqur said the region feeds and nourishes the country, yet continues to lag behind due to neglect.

“This North Bangladesh provides food and nutrition to the country, but has been kept wilfully deprived,” he said.

The Jamaat chief said his alliance does not want any part of the region to remain behind if it comes to power.

“We want to restore your dignity,” he told the crowd.

“We want to turn every young man and woman, every citizen, into a skilled artisan to progress the country.”

Shafiqur said the alliance aims to transform North Bangladesh into a hub of agro-based industries, revive closed sugar mills and restore jobs lost by workers.

“We want to reopen the closed sugar mills. We want to give the workers their jobs back,” he said.

Rejecting what he described as politics based on favouritism, Shafiqur said his party does not believe in distributing benefits selectively.

“Brothers, we do not have any cards,” he said.

“All of you are our brothers and sisters. The only card we want to place in your hearts is a card of love.”

With that spirit, he said, Jamaat wants to build a Bangladesh free from deprivation, injustice and debt.

“We do not want any citizen of Bangladesh to live at someone else’s mercy,” he said.

“Who will show mercy to whom? We will not build the country by taking people’s tax money and turning it into someone else’s wealth.”

Referring to the often used phrase “Teknaf to Tetulia,” Shafiqur said development has long failed to reach the northernmost parts of the country.

“People say Teknaf to Tetulia,” he said.

“But the tide of development from Teknaf has never truly reached Tetulia.”

“We now need to say Tetulia to Teknaf,” he added.

“There must be balance.”

‘WHY DID THE RIVERS DIE?’

Earlier on Friday, Shafiqur travelled to North Bangladesh by air from Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport.

Recounting what he saw from above, he spoke of the region’s drying rivers.

“Allah Almighty gifted North Bangladesh four great rivers — the Teesta, Brahmaputra, Atrai and Karatoya,” he said.

“But when I looked down today, I did not see rivers. I saw deserts. Dust, sand, skeletons. Dead rivers.”

Drawing a parallel with the human body, he said rivers are like veins and arteries that keep life flowing.

“If those blood vessels are blocked, people die,” he said.

“These rivers are a gift from Allah — and these rivers have been murdered.”

Calling on voters for prayers and support, Shafiqur said the 19-Party Alliance seeks a mandate to revive both rivers and livelihoods.

“If Allah grants victory to the candidates of the ten parties through your votes,” he said, “we promise that not only will the rivers come back to life, but the lives of the people will be restored to vigour.”

He said five years would be enough to change the face of North Bangladesh if the people and leadership work together.

“This soil is fertile. The people are hardworking,” he said.

“There is no reason for this region to be left behind. It has not failed — it has been deprived.”