Expressing anger over being handcuffed and forced to wear a helmet, Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former army officer Akhtaruzzaman told reporters on the court premises that he would rather take bullets than wear a helmet.
He made the remarks on Saturday while being produced before a Dhaka court in connection with a case filed with Airport Police Station.
Addressing journalists at the court premises, Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman protested against the treatment meted out to him.
“I am being forcibly and illegally made to wear a helmet. I am not an Awami Leaguer; I will not wear a helmet. If necessary, I will die here, I will take bullets,” he said.
On his way to the courtroom, he also reiterated his previous statements regarding the alleged mismanagement of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Inside the prison van, he was seen pointing his finger at police officers and expressing outrage, shouting, “Don’t touch me.”
While alighting from the prison van, he removed the helmet and threw it away.
Comparing the forced wearing of helmets to political repression under the former government, he remarked, “Forcing people to wear helmets is Awami League rule.”
The Jamaat leader stressed that political activists could not be silenced through state pressure.
“We cannot be stopped through oppression and torture. Jamaat will fight for the people, will fight to establish the rights of the people,” he said.
Concluding his statement to reporters, he vowed to continue the struggle.
“Brothers, the struggle to realise the people’s rights will continue. The people’s struggle will continue,” he said.
