* Parwar rules out any possibility of third party's take over of power
* Jamaat will not accept elections beyond June next year
* Jamaat believes women will vote for the party
* Jamaat will nominate candidates from minorities* Govt should decide whether Awami League will be allowed in election
* BNP broke four-party alliance without discussing Jamaat
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer’s Staff Correspondent Walid Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar shares his views on the current political landscape in Bangladesh, including party alliances, the election schedule and public dissatisfaction with past governments.
Parwar discusses Jamaat's ongoing relationship with BNP, the party's stance on reforms before elections, and their views on women's and minority representations. He also responds to criticism and addresses the legal challenges Jamaat is facing especially regarding party registration and the release of party's former acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam.
Parwar defends the party's democratic position and emphasizes Jamaat's role in the mass movement against what he calls a fascist regime led by the Awami League.
Following is the excerpt of his interview:
Observer: Is there any chance that the country's power could go to a third force in the current political situation?
Parwar: Since the chief of the Interim Government has already announced a possible deadline for the election, I don't think there is any chance for a third force to take over.
Observer: Jamaat said they don't want elections until reforms and the trial of fascists are done. If it takes longer than June for the Interim Government to complete these processes, would Jamaat agree to give them more time?
Parwar: The Interim Government has said elections will be held by June, and we won't accept anything later. If they delay, the people will not accept it. If this happens, all political parties will decide together, but now we can't say what will happen then.
Observer: Some people say Jamaat will benefit if elections are delayed. Do you agree?
Parwar: No, we don't agree. We've never said we don't want elections now. We just want elections after reforms and the trial of fascists. This will take time, nothing else. Those who say this can explain it better.
Observer: How many seats do you think Jamaat can win in the next General Election?
Parwar: We are still watching the situation and choosing candidates. The election schedule hasn't been announced yet, and we don't know which parties will join. The results will depend on these various issues.
So it's too early to say how many seats we will win.
Observer: Do women voters in Bangladesh hesitate to vote for Jamaat?
Parwar: I think many women in Bangladesh would want to vote for Jamaat. They believe they will be safer if the country is led by people who are morally honest like Jamaat.
There is a small group who want to change the roles of women in a way that goes against the rule of Allah, but Jamaat respects women.
We have many female doctors, engineers, and leaders. In the past, we had female MPs, and our women leaders have met with diplomats from other countries. We believe that when Jamaat is in charge, women will have more dignity than any other times.
Observer: You've said that minorities will be given nominations by Jamaat for parliamentary seats, can you explain this?
Parwar: We welcome people of all religions who believe in Jamaat's political ideas and want to help build the country. We will consider people from different religions and will give nominations if voters in a constituency want them.
Observer: You want to work with other Islamic parties, if these parties oppose this?
Parwar: A political alliance is about constitutional seat-sharing. Once we decide to share seats, we will nominate candidates from our allocated areas.
Observer: What is your decision about allowing Awami League to participate in the elections?
Parwar: If anyone wants to bring back Indian hegemony in the country, they should let Awami League participate in the general election.
We are a political party, not a government, we cannot enact law. Ultimately, the people and the government should decide about this fascist, brutal and killers' party.
The government should make a decision in this regard quickly to meet the expectations of the majority of people in the country.
Observer: After August 5, did you make any agreements with BNP on different issues?
Parwar: In 2000, we started working with BNP as part of a four-party alliance, which was formed to fight against Awami League.
Over time, this alliance grew into 18 and 20 parties. But when Awami League started oppressing us, killing our leaders, and imprisoning us, in 2022 without discussing with us BNP suddenly announced that the alliance was over.
If an alliance is ended, it should be discussed with everyone. Still BNP hasn't explained why they ended it.
Before ousting the fascist, BNP announced simultaneous movement against Awami League, according to their direction we kept in touch with them to continue our movement.
We've forgotten everything because we care more about the country than the party, now we are working together with BNP for the people.
However, when BNP leaders verbally attack in the language of the ousted fascist Awami League, we have to respond. The media calls this a 'distance,' but it's just different opinions in politics. We're still in touch with each other.
Observer: Recently, Jamaat hasn't announced any political programme about the refusal to reinstate the party's registration and the release of party's former acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam.
However, the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami wanted to be imprisoned voluntarily demanding the release of ATM Azharul Islam. What is your view on this matter?
Parwar: The government has scheduled a hearing on the registration issue for June 6, and a full bench of the Appellate Division will hear the case. We are also hopeful about getting justice for ATM Azharul Islam's release. We believe that the court will give us justice in this matter.
Observer: How do you view the mass uprising on August 5?
Parwar: The people of Bangladesh have been struggling for 17 years, feeling hopeless, thinking that elections wouldn't bring any real change.
In 2006, under Sheikh Hasina's orders, Awami League leaders and activists attacked and killed Islami Chhatra Shibir workers in public, in front of the law enforcement agencies. No democratic leader should ever give such an order.
Since then, Bangladeshi politics has lost its way. Democracy, voting rights and the freedom of the Bengali people have been lost.
Slowly, the country has come under the control of a fascist group. This group only cares about their own business, and they don't give jobs to anyone outside their party.
India has forced political parties to participate in rigged elections, which is shameful for any democratic country.
In 2014, under Sujata Singh's orders, the Jatiya Party took part in an election where 153 seats had no competitors. The 2018 and 2023 elections were also manipulated with late night vote and dummy candidates.
The recent student and public movement has freed the country and people from this suffocating situation.
