Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has dismissed the allegations of a so-called “deal” between his party and the Awami League, and that he had forgiven the Awami League, as outright untrue and political propaganda. He said he had not spoken of forgiving the Awami League on any forum, and that if anyone could prove otherwise he would apologise to the nation. He also called on the government to prove the statements it has made about the opposition, citing intelligence information.
The Jamaat ameer made the remarks on Saturday while answering journalists’ questions at the Moulvibazar Circuit House auditorium.
Referring to remarks made by the prime minister, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: “Instead of hinting at the opposition this way, he should say it plainly. We have thrown down the challenge: prove where, when, with whom and how a deal was made. As prime minister, it is wrong to make sweeping claims like this without evidence. If he has the courage, he should present the proof and take up our challenge.”
Responding to allegations that money and weapons are coming across the border, he said that if illegal weapons, money or drugs enter through the border while the government is in charge, the failure is the government’s own. Those responsible should resign over such a failure, he said.
Explaining the confusion spread about forgiving the Awami League, the Jamaat ameer said: “At a press conference on 12 August, I said that we would not take revenge on anyone personally, but if an affected person or family seeks legal remedy, we will give them full support. Yet one particular channel distorted my words and circulated a photocard saying the Jamaat ameer had forgiven the Awami League.”
“In that entire 22-minute speech I did not utter the words ‘Awami League’ even once,” he stressed. “Today I say again, as a challenge: if any media outlet can show that I named the Awami League and spoke of forgiving it, I will apologise myself.”
Turning the accusation on other political parties, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Awami League and Jubo League leaders and activists in different parts of the country were being given posts and a way back through DO letters, while the blame was being put on Jamaat. He compared this to the Bengali proverb about a thief who answers a question nobody asked by insisting he is not eating the bananas.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report