Govt trying to tag Jamaat as friend of fascists: Dr Shafiq

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the government of attempting to shift the blame for its failures onto the opposition and create a narrative that Jamaat is joining hands with what he described as “fallen fascists”.

Speaking at a discussion meeting at the National Press Club on Sunday, Dr Shafiq said the government was trying to conceal what he called its massive failures by holding the opposition responsible.

He said Jamaat would not betray the public by accepting a compromise proposal on the notes of dissent.

According to Dr Shafiq, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had submitted notes of dissent on every issue requiring fundamental change and had failed to honour its commitments to the nation. He said the opposition would not accept a compromise that could mislead the public, adding that amendments could be struck down by the courts at any time.

He urged the home minister to fulfil his responsibilities rather than resort to what he described as deceptive amendments, and called on him to step down if he could not do so.

Dr Shafiq also warned against any conspiracy to obstruct a long march, saying Jamaat had resisted what he described as an Awami League conspiracy in 1998 and would not bow to similar attempts now.

He further alleged that while the government was trying to portray Jamaat as cooperating with the former ruling party, the BNP had previously sought votes from the Awami League during elections. He also accused the government of rehabilitating Awami League leaders.

Questioning the government’s right to remain in office, Dr Shafiq cited what he described as failures to control drugs, corruption, extortion, illegal land occupation, arms trading and the overall law and order situation.

At the same meeting, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the referendum had been rejected by the BNP’s notes of dissent. He also argued that changing the Constitution without a reform council would be unlawful.

Porwar urged the BNP to abandon what he described as an illegal course of action. He alleged that attempts were being made under the banner of a special committee to introduce provisions that would undermine the July Charter.

The allegations made by the Jamaat leaders were not accompanied by responses from the government or the BNP in the supplied report.