Mirza Fakhrul’s statement: Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to obstruct the country’s progress

Dhaka, 2 February – Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the party’s candidate for the Thakurgaon-1 constituency, has sharply criticised Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the party of attempting to drag Bangladesh backward and model it after Afghanistan under fundamentalist rule.

Speaking during a public outreach event in his electoral area on Monday afternoon, Fakhrul stated, “They want to take the country backward. They are a party that obstructs our forward progress. We do not wish to regress; we seek advancement, with equal rights for both men and women.”

He particularly highlighted Jamaat’s stance on women, alleging that the party is against women participating fully in the workforce. “They believe women should remain confined to the home,” Fakhrul said. “In the garment sector, for instance, they have dictated that women should not work more than five hours a day.”

The BNP leader also raised concerns about Jamaat’s treatment of minority communities. “Jamaat is issuing threats against the Hindu community,” he said, calling on citizens to remain fearless and act with courage despite intimidation.

Fakhrul emphasised that Bangladesh is currently at a historic juncture where it can establish a state grounded in justice and fairness. “The BNP desires a free and fair electoral environment and is committed to working with all parties to achieve that goal,” he said.

Addressing voters directly, he stressed the importance of informed participation in the upcoming elections. “The future of the nation is now in your hands. Do not make the wrong choice,” Fakhrul urged.

Key Points from Mirza Fakhrul’s Thakurgaon-1 Rally:

Mirza Fakhrul’s remarks reflect BNP’s broader narrative of promoting gender equality, safeguarding minority rights, and ensuring a democratic electoral process. The party appears focused on mobilising voters around issues of social justice and progress, contrasting sharply with what it describes as Jamaat-e-Islami’s regressive agenda.

With elections approaching, Thakurgaon-1 is emerging as a key constituency where these debates on development, rights, and national direction are likely to influence voter sentiment.