Jamaat alleges push for ‘one-party rule’ contributing to countrywide lawlessness

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Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that the government’s “fascist efforts” to ensure the ruling party’s control over the nation has been contributing to the rise in violence and lawlessness across the country.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar outlined the party’s allegations at an emergency briefing held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Monday.

Mia Golam Porwar said the law and order situation had deteriorated severely during the government’s seven months in office and that its MPs and reserved women MPs had failed. He said every political party and civil society was expressing concern, while the Home Minister remained silent. According to him, people were gradually losing confidence in the government because they had hoped for a humane and secure Bangladesh that would rise above narrow partisan politics in accordance with the July Charter.

He alleged that after coming to power, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had “shamelessly” established syndicates and control in metropolitan areas, districts, upazilas, unions, and villages, seeking to bring the entire country under the control of one party through what he described as a fascist approach.

He said disputes and clashes were occurring in rural areas over various issues, including fertilizer dealers, allowances for imams and khatibs, distribution of farmers’ family cards, lists, and supervision. He also alleged that attacks were being carried out on upazila offices over fertilizer distribution. He described the country as being in a state of extreme disorder.

Golam Porwar further alleged that, in recruitment examinations for government primary schools, a particular group was being denied appointment letters in the name of verification, disregarding the country’s history, established practices, and precedents. He alleged that members who had previously been involved with Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal were being selectively appointed. As a result, he said, educated men and women who had been deprived of appointments were protesting and appealing for their rights in Shahbagh.

He alleged that the purpose of the recruitment process was to selectively appoint BNP supporters as polling and presiding officers in the next election, describing this as the motive behind the process.

He also alleged that reserved women MPs were being involved in this partisan process. According to him, elected MPs were being placed under the oversight of unelected reserved women MPs. He claimed that in development activities, letters of recommendation, or DO letters, from elected MPs were being rejected while allocations were being made based on DO letters from reserved women MPs—something he said had not occurred in the past.

He further alleged that violence, extortion, attacks, and vandalism were taking place across the country with the encouragement and support of women MPs. The Jamaat secretary general cited alleged incidents including an attack and vandalism at the Radha Health Centre in Mirpur, where valuable items were allegedly looted, as well as an attack on Salman Muqtadir’s studio at ECB. He also referred to other alleged incidents of violence across the country, which he attributed to the encouragement of ruling-party activists.

Golam Parwar said government leaders, activists, and ministers were supporting the perpetrators of crimes. He alleged that criminals were receiving opportunities because they were getting signals from higher levels of the government. He further claimed that the government was avoiding discussion of crimes committed by members of its own party and attempting to blame the opposition instead.