Mob Rule Cannot Influence Public Sentiment: Jamaat Chief

The Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, has issued a stern warning against the resurgence of “mob justice” and political intimidation, asserting that the era of influencing public opinion through orchestrated chaos has come to an end. Speaking on Wednesday while visiting injured party activists at a local hospital, the Jamaat chief condemned a recent violent confrontation in the Dhaka-15 constituency, which left several of his supporters hospitalised.

The Mirpur Standoff

According to Jamaat-e-Islami, the conflict erupted on Tuesday evening in the Peererbagh area of Mirpur. The party alleges that a group of its female workers were conducting a private electoral meeting when they were surrounded and “besieged” by activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). When local Jamaat and Shibir members arrived to intervene and escort the women to safety, the situation reportedly escalated into a violent clash, with the BNP allegedly launching a physical assault.

However, local law enforcement provided a slightly different context. Police reports suggest that the friction began earlier in the afternoon when Jamaat activists were seen collecting detailed voter information door-to-door. Local residents and rival political workers questioned the legality of this data collection, leading to a heated argument that culminated in a series of “chase and counter-chase” incidents across the neighbourhood.

Incident Summary: Mirpur Dhaka-15 Conflict

A Plea for Civil Discourse

Addressing the media, Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep disappointment over the tactics employed by his political rivals. “I strongly condemn this ‘mob’ mentality. Let this be the end of it,” he stated. He argued that if any party is suspected of violating the electoral code of conduct, it is the sole prerogative of the Election Commission and relevant authorities to investigate and take action. “No individual or political party has the jurisdiction to create a mob or take the law into their own hands,” he added.

The Jamaat Amir further emphasised the importance of respecting the dignity of women in the political arena. He questioned the upbringing of those who allegedly assaulted female campaigners, asking, “Do those who laid hands on our sisters not have mothers and sisters at home? If they have not learned to show basic respect to women from their families, it is a great misfortune for the nation.”

Accountability and the Youth

Dr Rahman concluded by calling upon the government and the Election Commission to fulfil their promises of a free and fair election. He warned that the “awakened youth” of the country would not tolerate a return to the autocratic electoral environment seen over the past fifteen years.

“Trust the people. Allow the citizens to peacefully cast their votes for the symbol of their choice,” he urged. He noted that once a representative is elected, it is the duty of all political parties to cooperate and congratulate the victor. He warned that those engaging in terrorism or hooliganism must be brought to justice immediately to maintain the sanctity of the democratic process.