Women’s rights activists from several organisations have protested against Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, demanding the cancellation of his candidacy after he allegedly made derogatory and misogynistic remarks about working women.
The activists staged a rally in Agargaon on Sunday and later submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) at the Election Commission office, outlining their demands.
Leaders and members of various groups, including the Gonotantrik Biplobi Party, Garment Sramik Mukti Aldolan, NPA, Women’s Political Rights Forum, Rashtra Sanskar Andolon, Green Bangladesh Garments Workers Federation, Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, Phulki, Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra, and Naripokkho, joined the protest.
The gathering also drew women’s rights activists, human rights defenders, university teachers, and professionals from different fields.
In the memorandum, the activists said that Jamaat ameer Shafiqur Rahman, through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, made “obscene, derogatory and misogynistic” comments about working women.
They said the remarks not only insult women but also undermine the contributions of millions of working women to the country’s economy and social development.
Although Jamaat-e-Islami later claimed the account was hacked, the activists rejected the explanation, saying the statement was posted from a verified account and therefore the hacking claim is not credible.
They also noted that no formal statement, evidence or transparent investigation results have been made public by the platform.
Media reports have indicated that a staff member of Bangabhaban was shown as arrested in connection with the alleged hacking, but police have provided conflicting statements.
Later, law enforcement officials said there was no concrete evidence linking the arrested person to the hacking claim, further casting doubt on the party’s explanation.
The memorandum stressed that working women in Bangladesh, especially in the garment and other industrial sectors, have long contributed significantly to their families, society and the national economy.
It said the comments made by the Jamaat leader are contrary to the constitutional principle of equality and violate women’s dignity and human rights.
The activists argued that such statements encourage a culture of hatred and discrimination against women, threatening the safety and dignity of female workers.
They urged that political leaders must not make irresponsible remarks that demean women’s status and labour.
The memorandum called for the immediate withdrawal of the offensive remarks and demanded an unconditional apology to working women and women workers.
It also urged the Election Commission to take necessary action under its code of conduct and ethics and to cancel the Jamaat leader’s candidacy.
