Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday alleged that Satkhira has been systematically deprived of development because its people stood for justice and fairness, saying the district was deliberately neglected for political reasons.
Speaking as the chief guest at a public rally at Satkhira Government Boys’ High School ground on January 27, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the people of Satkhira were punished for taking a stand for justice and fairness.
He said those in power assumed the situation would remain unchanged forever, but added that honour and humiliation ultimately rest with God.
Recalling his visits to Satkhira in 2015, the Jamaat chief said he heard repeated complaints from local residents across different upazilas about deprivation and neglect. Many had told him that successive governments failed to treat Satkhira as an integral part of the country and instead dealt with the district like a stepchild.
Dr Rahman said Jamaat-e-Islami aims to build a country free from extortion and syndicates if it forms the government. He said his 2015 visit to Satkhira included travelling by motorcycle to reach affected areas and meeting families of 45 devout individuals who were killed.
He said he came to stand beside grieving parents, show respect to widows, comfort children who lost their fathers and share the pain of youths who were maimed during violence.
He claimed Satkhira witnessed some of the worst crimes and injustices in Bangladesh, saying no other district experienced such conditions.
He alleged that the homes of Jamaat leaders and activists were demolished using bulldozers and questioned what crimes they had committed to deserve such treatment.
Dr Rahman described Jamaat-e-Islami as the most persecuted political party in the country, claiming that many of its leaders and activists were killed, forcibly disappeared or executed.
He said the party’s registration and electoral symbol were cancelled, it was banned at one stage and many supporters were detained and tortured.
He said the greatest “crime” of the people of Satkhira was standing for justice and fairness, expressing confidence that those who uphold justice are ultimately honoured. Referring to recent political developments, Dr Rahman said that after August 5, when the situation changed, Jamaat called on its supporters to remain calm and take responsibility for maintaining public safety, stressing that the party does not believe in politics of revenge.
He said Jamaat leaders and activists were instructed not to damage private or state property and claimed that no extortion or false cases were initiated by the party in Satkhira or elsewhere. He said legal action was taken only against those genuinely involved in criminal activities.
Acknowledging that BNP and other opposition parties also suffered over the past 15 years, Dr Rahman said journalists, religious scholars and people from various professions were targeted with cases.
He warned that victims of oppression can sometimes become oppressors themselves, underscoring the need to establish justice and fairness.
Seeking public support in all four parliamentary constituencies of Satkhira, Dr Rahman said Jamaat’s goal is to establish justice, fairness and a people’s government.
He added that the party aims to ensure good governance inspired by the Charter of Medina.
The rally was chaired by Satkhira district Jamaat Ameer Vice Principal Shahidul Islam Mukul. Special guests included Jamaat candidates for Satkhira-1 Principal Muhammad Izzatullah, Satkhira-2 Muhaddis Abdul Khaleq, Satkhira-3 Muhaddis Rabiul Bashar and Satkhira-4 Gazi Nazrul Islam.
