‘Those calling Shibir ‘covert’ were hiding abroad for 17 yrs’

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Friday alleged that those branding Islami Chhatra Shibir as “covert” had themselves remained in hiding abroad for 17 years, while also criticising the government over what he termed a return to authoritarian rule.

He made these remarks while addressing a ward presidents’ conference organised by district Jamaat at a local auditorium in the town.

Criticising the government, Parwar said student activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were being “unleashed like hyenas” on students in educational institutions. “The government is trying to return to its old authoritarian path, but people will not allow that,” he said.

He alleged that the country’s people had repeatedly shed blood and did not want a recurrence of what he described as “fascist governance.” “People will no longer accept authoritarian rule,” he added.

Referring to recent political rhetoric, the Jamaat leader said, “Those who today call Jamaat-Shibir ‘covert’ were the ones who stayed hidden abroad for 17 years. The people know who the real ‘covert’ actors are.” He also alleged that individuals aligned with the BNP had served as “covert advisers” in the interim government.

Parwar further claimed that elections had been “engineered” and criticised the BNP for opposing key points of constitutional reform despite broader political consensus among parties.

Commenting on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent statement, he said, “The BNP government itself is gripped by the ghost of authoritarianism, which is preventing it from moving forward and fulfilling the aspirations of the mass uprising.”

He warned that if the government fails to respect the public mandate, people may take to the streets again. “Do not force us onto the streets. We know how to organise movement, and so do the people,” he said.

Several central and district Jamaat leaders, including MPs Ali Azam Mohammad Abubakar, Matiar Rahman and Abu Taleb, were present at the programme.

AM