Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday pledged zero tolerance for extortion, corruption, bank looting and abuse of the legal system if Jamaat comes to power, vowing that "no extortionist or corrupt individual will find shelter."
Addressing a series of election rallies across Naogaon, Chapai-nawabganj, Rajshahi and Natore, Dr Rahman said Jamaat neither practises extortion nor allows it. "We do not protect corrupt people. We are not bank looters, and we will never compromise with those who loot banks. Turning lawsuits into business is not our culture-those who do so will be brought under the law," he told a rally at ATM Field in Naogaon town around 11am.
* Declares children under five, 60 plus citizens to get free healthcare
* Says bank robbers, stock manipulators siphoned off Tk 28 lakh crore
* Calls for unity across religions, genders and ethnic communities
* Asserts leadership must be based on merit, not lineage
Reaffirming his party's stance on minority rights, the Jamaat Ameer said every citizen-regardless of religion-must live without fear. "Why should non-Muslims live in fear? This country belongs to all of us. We will move forward together, ensuring security and dignity for everyone," he said, referring to past repression against ethnic minorities, including the Santal community.
He also promised safety and dignity for women at home, workplaces and public spaces. "No oppressor will dare to look at a woman with ill intent. That environment will be ensured," he said, describing the upcoming vote as "a symbol of justice, Insha'Allah."
Criticising dynastic politics, Dr Rahman said leadership must be based on merit, not lineage. "Politics will no longer be reserved for the sons of rulers. Even the son of a rickshaw-puller can become prime minister if his talent is nurtured," he said, pledging to dismantle what he called feudal political culture.
Accusing successive governments of massive corruption over the last 54 years, he alleged widespread looting of banks and insurance companies, siphoning of funds from mega projects and money laundering abroad. "We will recover this stolen money and return it to the state treasury," he vowed.
Highlighting Naogaon as the agricultural hub of northern Bangladesh, Dr Rahman promised to upgrade the town's main road to four lanes, ensure fair prices for farmers, build storage facilities, establish fruit-processing industries and develop tourism by preserving archaeological sites.
Later, at Chapainawabganj Government College ground, he outlined plans to construct a permanent embankment along the Padma River, modern mango cold storage facilities, export-friendly infrastructure and broader agricultural support, declaring an ambition to turn northern Bangladesh into the country's agro-industrial capital.
Rejecting unemployment allowances as a long-term solution, he said Jamaat would prioritise skill- and merit-based jobs. "We do not want to insult youth with allowances. We want them employed with dignity," he said.
In Rajshahi, speaking at a grand rally at the historic Madrasa ground, Dr Rahman called for unity across religions, genders and ethnicities under the alliance slogan "United Bangladesh." He pledged equal relations with neighbouring countries, specialised hospitals in every district, and an end to enforced disappearances and secret detention centres.
Wrapping up the day in Natore, he alleged that Tk 28 lakh crore had been laundered abroad by looters and market manipulators. "With Allah's help, we will recover this money," he said, pledging equal punishment under the law and free healthcare for children under five and full state responsibility for senior citizens.
Senior Jamaat leaders and alliance partners attended the rallies across the regions.
