Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday (July 19) said the country can no longer function under its outdated governance structure, calling for a new system to root out corruption and restore justice.
He said, “Bangladesh cannot move forward with the old prescription.”
Speaking at the party’s national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, he called for a new political order built on justice, accountability, and the sacrifices of the people.
“There was a battle against fascism. Now we will fight against corruption,” Dr Shafiqur told the rally. “We will unite the strength of youth to uproot corruption and build a new Bangladesh, Inshallah.”
The Jamaat chief paid tribute to those who, according to him, sacrificed their lives fighting authoritarian regimes. “We owe a debt to the martyrs who stood up against oppression and faced bullets so that today’s Bangladesh could be born,” he said.
He lashed out at those attempting to revive what he termed a "rotten" political system. “To those who want to return to the decayed order, we say—bring back the lives lost in the July battle if you can. You cannot. Therefore, we will move forward with a new system.”
During his speech, Dr Shafiqur became visibly unwell and briefly stopped speaking. Party leaders helped him sit down, and he later resumed his speech while seated, with doctors attending him nearby.
Continuing his address, he promised that if Jamaat came to power, its MPs and ministers would reject privileges like tax-free vehicles and government plots.
“No MP or minister will handle public funds personally. Any allocation must be accounted for before the people,” he said.
He vowed that Jamaat would neither take nor tolerate extortion or corruption. “We have defied bloodshot eyes, jail, and repression all our lives. My only regret is that I could not become a martyr like those who sacrificed themselves in 2024. May Allah accept me in that cause,” he added emotionally.
Dr Shafiqur also demanded justice for the victims of alleged state atrocities, naming the events of October 28, 2006, the Shapla Square crackdown, and other incidents he described as “massacres.”
He concluded: “Until the perpetrators are brought to justice, Bangladesh cannot continue with the old order. The people did not die in vain. They gave their lives for the liberation of this nation.”
SMS/
