Staff Correspondent:
Calling on the government and the Election Commission to play a responsible role to ensure impartial, fair and acceptable elections, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “We want an election where every citizen goes to the polling station without any challenge, votes with joy and gets the true reflection of the vote. We do not want an election of understanding. Understanding will be with the voters, not with any authority.”
He said these things as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting with retired military officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces at the Celebrity Hall of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital at 7:30 pm on Monday (January 12).
The program, chaired by Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten and moderated by Colonel (Retd.) Zakaria, began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Brigadier General (Retd.) ABM Golam Mustafa.
Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Abdul Halim, Assistant Secretary General and Head of Central Propaganda and Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, and Central Executive Council Member Mubarak Hossain were present at the program.
Colonel (Retd.) Hasinur Rahman Bir Pratik, Major General (Retd.) Mahabub ul Alam, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman, Major (Retd.) Barrister Sarwar Hossain and other retired military officers spoke at the time.
He said that the prerequisite for good governance is a fair and impartial election. It is the responsibility of the government and the Election Commission to create an environment where people can vote for whomever they want. If they fail, they should step down.
Addressing the youth, the Jamaat Ameer said, “You will vote this time. We will guard your vote. You will be the guardians of the nation.”
Addressing the retired military officers, he said, “You have ensured the country’s regional security. Now, out of social responsibility, it is your responsibility to gift a beautiful Bangladesh to future generations.”
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that Jamaat-e-Islami is uncompromising against corruption. “We will not commit corruption ourselves, nor will we allow anyone to do so. We want to pull the root of corruption.”
He highlighted the history of the 1971 Liberation War and said that the role of the army during the Liberation War was historic and undeniable. He called for ensuring due recognition and respect for all the brave freedom fighters, including General Ataul Gani Osmani and ASM Abdur Rab, who first hoisted the flag of independence.
Referring to the 24th movement, the Jamaat Ameer said that the country was saved from a possible civil war due to the responsible role of the army. “The mastermind of that movement was not an individual—the entire people were the mastermind.”
He also said that on August 3 and 4, Jamaat-e-Islami was the most persecuted party. Yet, they were in the movement not to save the party, but to save the country.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that no one, including the Prime Minister and the President, is above accountability. It is important to have a balance and certain limits between those responsible in the state and the governance apparatus—otherwise fascism is born from there.
Regarding the upcoming national elections, he said, “The elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024 are not held in any acceptable format. The young generation has been deprived of the right to vote.”
Expressing optimism about the future of the country, the Jamaat Ameer said, “We do not want to build a lazy nation. However, the state will take responsibility for those who are incapable. We want to hand over a safe and progressive Bangladesh to the next generation.”
Finally, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman concluded his speech by seeking advice from all present.
