Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, has alleged that the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is attempting to threaten justice by targeting Chief Justice Md. Hasan Foyez Ahmad (referred to here as “the judiciary”) and influencing judicial decisions. Porwar made these claims on Thursday, 5 March, during an Iftar gathering held at a hotel in Paltan, Dhaka, organised by Jamaat’s Dhaka Metropolitan South unit to honour Islamic scholars.
Allegations Against BNP
Addressing attendees, Golam Porwar stated:
“By placing a gun at the neck of the judiciary, the BNP is effectively attempting to obstruct justice. Constitutional provisions are clear: Sheikh Hasina remains the Prime Minister, and many aspects of the elections were not included in the Constitution; even the interim government had no constitutional mandate.”
Porwar’s remarks implied that elements within the opposition are attempting to manipulate judicial and electoral processes. He further demanded a judicial investigation into former advisor Rizwana Hasan, alleging her involvement in “election engineering” and asserting that her statements confirm participation in such irregularities.
Porwar claimed:
“The post-election disclosures are alarming. Rizwana Hasan’s own words indicate she was engaged in engineering the election, undermining transparency and democratic norms.”
Context and Statements by Rizwana Hasan
Earlier, on Monday, 2 March, former advisor Rizwana Hasan appeared on a television programme on Channel One. In response to a question regarding political influence, Hasan said:
“There exists a force which previously altered women’s policy. If part of that force is now within the opposition, my responsibility is to counter the elements that oppose women’s empowerment, equal participation, and gender-sensitive politics. We ensured that such a force could never become mainstream.”
Porwar cited this statement as evidence of political manipulation by forces linked to the opposition, accusing them of undermining democratic institutions and the judiciary.
Key Claims and Allegations
| Claim / Allegation | Individuals / Parties Involved | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Threat to judiciary | BNP (opposition) | Allegedly placing pressure on judges to influence verdicts |
| Election engineering | Rizwana Hasan | Accused of manipulating post-election processes |
| Constitutional concerns | Government / Judiciary | Cited by Porwar as justification for his warnings |
| Protection of women’s policy | Former advisor statements | Used as context to accuse opposition of attempting to undermine reforms |
Implications
Golam Porwar’s statements reflect heightened political tensions in Dhaka, with Jamaat-e-Islami accusing the BNP of exerting undue influence over judicial processes. Experts note that such public allegations can intensify political polarisation and may prompt calls for formal inquiries or parliamentary scrutiny.
The Iftar event also highlighted the Jamaat leadership’s continued focus on defending constitutional mandates and advocating for judicial accountability, while raising concerns about the integrity of post-election governance and adherence to democratic norms.
