A sharp political controversy has erupted following scathing remarks by Rashed Khan, who serves as a political assistant to the Chief Adviser, aimed at Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and retired Major Akhtaruzzaman. In a detailed post published on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday evening, Khan criticised Jamaat-e-Islami for according a hero’s welcome to the retired military officer, despite his past hostile rhetoric towards student protesters during the historic July 2024 mass uprising.

Khan pointed out the stark political irony, asserting that a figure who openly disparaged anti-autocracy activists has now been warmly embraced by Jamaat leadership. Reflecting on events during the peak of the 2024 student-led demonstrations, Khan recalled participating in a televised talk show hosted by the digital platform ‘Face the People’. During that broadcast, host Saifur Rahman Sagar questioned Major Akhtaruzzaman on his stance regarding the nationwide student movement. In response, Akhtaruzzaman categorically labelled the protesters as “children of Razakars”—a deeply derogatory term in Bangladeshi political discourse referring to wartime collaborators—and alleged that the uprising was orchestrated entirely by Jamaat-Shibir cadres.

The narrative took a dramatic turn following Akhtaruzzaman’s recent arrest and subsequent release on bail regarding charges of threatening the Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and assaulting a security supervisor. Upon his release, senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders organised a formal reception to honour Akhtaruzzaman, who has recently aligned himself with the party as an associate member. The Amir of Jamaat defended him publicly, dismissing the criminal charges as fabricated allegations designed to obstruct his political activities.

Addressing this public reception, Khan observed that the spectacle led many citizens to remark how political forces associated with 1971 have effectively welcomed a prominent detractor of the 2024 uprising. He also highlighted a moment during the reception where Akhtaruzzaman invoked former Pakistani President Yahya Khan while speaking alongside the Jamaat Amir, creating visible awkwardness among party leaders. Khan questioned the underlying ethics of such political realignments, asking whether Jamaat would extend similar political accommodation to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should she ever offer an apology.