Jamaat fails to win public trust: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of failing to win public trust, alleging that the party is pursuing a “dual strategy” of political propaganda and destructive activities.

He made the allegations at a discussion titled “The Role of the Government and Opposition Parties in Establishing a Democratic State” at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Referring to recent cocktail explosions and arson attacks, Rizvi said such incidents were occurring even in sensitive places, including in front of the High Court and university gates.

He questioned whether the ousted Awami League alone was responsible for all the incidents.

Rizvi claimed that threats and admissions concerning involvement in violent activities were now emerging from within political parties currently acting as the opposition.

He also referred to an alleged attack at Rajshahi Railway Station. He claimed that the student wing of an organisation that operates covertly went on a rampage at the station on Sunday night, carrying out vandalism and destructive activities.

He questioned who would take responsibility for such incidents and called for a long march against what he described as “orchestrated terrorism”.

Rizvi also criticised Jamaat-e-Islami, alleging that the party follows a dual strategy.

He claimed that, on one hand, the party makes what he described as false statements against the government and, on the other, encourages its young activists to engage in destructive activities.

Rizvi further alleged that Jamaat had opposed various movements, including the Language Movement and struggles for self-determination and independence.

He claimed that despite using the name of Islam, Jamaat had failed to gain public confidence because of what he described as its repeated betrayal of the people.

Rizvi also alleged that a smear campaign was being conducted against the government's activities.

He said such propaganda would not stop the government's development programmes and social safety initiatives.

According to Rizvi, opposition parties were announcing different programmes mainly to create confusion among the public. He also argued that the fact that opposition programmes were being allowed to take place without obstruction demonstrated that a democratic environment existed in the country.

Rizvi again questioned who was responsible for torching buses and throwing cocktails, asking whether the ousted Awami League alone could be held responsible.