Rashed Khan, political assistant to the prime minister, has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami says one thing publicly but means another, describing what he termed the party’s conduct as hypocritical.
“From its inception to the present day, we have seen nothing but hypocritical behaviour from Jamaat,” he said, alleging that while the party claims to be cooperating with the government, they are saying publicly that they are cooperating with the government, while at the same time attempting to devise ways to bring back Awami League and launch a movement similar to that of 1996.
Rashed Khan made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Friday afternoon after paying a courtesy call on Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari, amir of Hefazat-e-Islam, at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa in Babunagar, Fatikchhari upazila.
He said there is currently no difference between the rhetoric of the activities banned Awami League and that of Jamaat, alleging that both have chosen December – the month of Bangladesh’s victory – as the time for their political activities.
“In December, we too, God willing, will take to the streets alongside the people of Bangladesh. We want to see who attempts to launch a movement to topple the government in December,” he said.
He added that the people of Bangladesh would resist any attempt to overthrow the government, create instability or undermine its functioning instead of cooperating with it.
Rashed Khan also said BNP government is committed to ensuring justice for the killings at Shapla Chattar, which he described as a massacre of Hefazat-e-Islam leaders, activists and madrasa students.
Referring to Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari’s statements made ahead of the national election, he said the Hefazat chief had articulated views based on Islamic values and exposed what he described as attempts by certain groups to harm Islam while using its name and identity.
He particularly referred to the distribution of what he called “tickets to Paradise,” saying that Hefazat amir had helped raise public awareness about attempts to mislead people through such activities.
Responding to questions from journalists, Rashed Khan said Jamaat’s claim of cooperating with the government had raised questions among the public because of some of its activities.
“While claiming to practise Islamic politics, Jamaat has deviated from true Islamic values. Do not stab Islam in the back while invoking Islamic values,” he said.
“The kind of political rhetoric you are propagating in the public sphere is misleading the nation,” he added.
Rashed Khan said Hefazat amir had called for cooperation with the current government and stressed the importance of maintaining unity among the anti-fascist forces for rebuilding the state.
Regarding his meeting with Hefazat amir, Rashed Khan said he had visited the madrasa on the holy day of Jumu’ah to seek his blessings.
Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari prayed for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and urged BNP and the people of Bangladesh to uphold their faith in Islamic values, Rashed Khan said.
Also present were Mahbub-er-Rahman Shamim, administrator of Chattogram District Council and central organising secretary of BNP; Sayed Mohammad Ibrahim, Fatikchhari upazila nirbahi officer (UNO); Rahmat Ullah, upazila assistant commissioner (Land); Mufti Faisal Habib, central leader of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh; Jahir Azam Chowdhury, member secretary of Upazila BNP; Nazim Uddin Shahin, member secretary of District Krishak Dal; and Mojaharul Islam Lavlu, general secretary of Upazila Jubo Dal, among others.
