POBNEWS24, Dhaka Nov 23, 2024 : Stating that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was never ‘anti-India’, the party’s Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said, ‘This is propaganda.’ He said, ‘Lies and propaganda have been deliberately used to misrepresent Jamaat.’
The Jamaat chief also said that the party’s international policy is to be friends with everyone without enmity with anyone.
Promising to maintain good relations with all neighboring countries based on equality and respect, he said, “We expect the same behavior from India based on mutual trust and coexistence.”
Shafiqur Rahman recently gave interviews to at least two Indian media outlets, where he made these remarks.
In the interview, the Indian newspaper asked questions on various issues, including reform of Bangladesh’s electoral system, the timeline for the interim government to transfer power, and its relationship with the BNP.
Although Bangladesh has long held elections using the ‘first past the post’ system like the UK, Jamaat-e-Islami and some other parties are now advocating for a proportional representation system.In this system, the percentage of votes a party gets nationwide equals the percentage of seats it gets in parliament.
However, the BNP, one of the main parties in Bangladesh, is objecting to this. BNP has been particularly vocal in demanding early elections, but Shafiqul has criticized this demand.
Jamaat-e-Islami supports Muhammad Yunus-led interim government; when do they want the much-awaited elections?
Shafiqur: The people, who were deprived of the opportunity to elect their representatives for 15 years, are eager for elections. They have tasted ‘freedom’ after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian government. The main task of the interim government is to hold free, fair and impartial elections. Consensus is needed on some issues. Once these tasks are completed, the national demand for holding elections within a short and reasonable time will be fulfilled.
Jamaat’s support for the Yunus-led government is conditional. What kind of reforms do you want?
Shafiqur: Reforms are an ongoing process. It is not possible for an interim government to resolve all issues in a short period of time. We have proposed reforms on a priority basis. We also want reforms in the process of forming a search committee for fair political process and fair elections, proportional representation system and representation in the legislature, ensuring balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, and reforming the Election Commission.
Will Jamaat contest the elections alone, or will it join hands with BNP or others?
Shafiqur: This has been commented on long ago. Jamaat is monitoring the dynamic political situation. The decision will be taken as per the people’s preference.
Is a section of BNP not comfortable with Jamaat’s ‘tough stance’?
Shafiqur: If it is not clear what you mean by Jamaat’s ‘tough stance’, anyone can take your statement as a tone of propaganda against Jamaat. We firmly tell you and your readers that Jamaat is a modern, liberal and democratic political party based on Islamic ideals. In terms of political policies and activities, Jamaat practices a rational, proportional and moderate stance. To be specific, BNP is a long-time ally of Jamaat. As a result, BNP is also well aware of our moderate stance.
Jamaat is seen as a ‘hardline organization’. What is your opinion on being part of the Islamic brotherhood that exists in different nations?
Shafiqur: Your question again highlights the supposed truth that ‘Jamaat is a hardline or hardline Islamic organization’. This is completely wrong. It should also be clear that we are an independent political party. Bangladesh Jamaat Islami is not affiliated with or funded by any foreign political entity.
Jamaat is seen as anti-India… ?
Shafiqur: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was never anti-India.This idea is completely baseless.Lies and propaganda have been deliberately used to misrepresent Jamaat.We are committed to maintaining good relations with all our neighboring countries, including India, on the basis of equality and respect.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s international policy is ‘friendship with all, enmity with none’. We expect the same from India on the basis of mutual trust and coexistence.
After the interim government took power, minority Hindus protested the violence against them…?
Shafiqur: Jamaat-e-Islami has a great relationship with the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Jamaat considers all citizens equally. We do not believe in the concept of minority and majority. Jamaat has no history of violence against Hindus or any other community. Rather, it has played a cooperative role through discussions with Hindu leaders at various times.
Sheikh Hasina’s government had close relations with India. What will happen in your government?
Shafiqur: It is not right to put the relations between the Awami League government and India only in the category of ‘close ties’. We know what the situation was. We also seek close relations with India on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Establishing mutually favorable relations with our neighbors is a practical and prudent thing to do.
BNP is not in favor of removing the President. Why do you want it?
Shafiqur: We know that this is a complex matter. But President Md. Shahabuddin has ‘more disadvantages than advantages’. It is clear that he has either given false information, or misled the people, or he has broken his oath. The people have lost trust in him due to his political closeness with fallen dictators.
Some say that Jamaat and the interim government do not want to give credit to BNP either; they want the two big parties to be out of the picture…?
Shafiqur: This theory is completely baseless. The ‘fascist’ rule and ‘unlimited corruption’ during the Awami League period have created extreme hatred among the people towards them. They are responsible for their downfall. From that point of view, we do not think that we have to play any special role in not giving credit to anyone. The people are aware of everything. We can assure you that Jamaat-e-Islami has no such intention towards any political party.
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