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Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Rafikul Islam Khan, has raised questions about the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), criticizing their focus on elections while remaining silent on issues of murder and extortion. He asked, “All I see is you demanding elections, but why don’t you speak out against extortionists? You want elections, but why don’t you talk about the murderers in Mitford? Have you not yet risen above the mindset of party-affiliated terrorists?”Speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka South City unit on Saturday (July 12) after the Zuhr prayer at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Khan addressed the brutal murder of businessman Sohag near Mitford Hospital, which he said shocked the nation. “What was Sohag’s crime? I hear he was associated with Jubo Dal. Regardless of his affiliation, he was a human being. His crime was that he was asked for extortion money and refused to pay. Is that a crime?” Khan highlighted that the people of Bangladesh, through immense sacrifices and bloodshed, ousted the Awami League’s “fascist regime” led by Sheikh Hasina, who was forced to resign and flee. He noted that the public had hoped they would no longer have to face threats to their lives, pay extortion, or fear for the dignity of their women. However, he accused one political party of acting as the “new owners” of Bangladesh in the absence of the Awami League. He further remarked, “We fought together in the movement, especially after August 5. The protests that erupted against the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina at Dhaka University, Eden College, BUET, and across Bangladesh were unprecedented. Yet, last night, protests flared up again across the country against corruption, extortion, and terrorism. These protests shouldn’t have been necessary since Hasina has fled. So, who is carrying out this extortion and terrorism?” Calling on citizens to remain vigilant, Khan said, “When Sohag was killed, many people were around, but the extortionists were only a few. If the public had resisted together, the extortionists would have been crushed. If the people fail to build a united resistance, these terrorists and extortionists who killed Sohag today will target you and me tomorrow, and later anyone they choose. We cannot leave Bangladesh in the hands of such terrorists and extortionists.” Khan emphasized that extortionists and terrorists have no identity and that Jamaat-e-Islami will not allow the nation to be held hostage by them. He urged people, regardless of party or religion, to unite against murderers and extortionists, stating, “The public knows who the godfathers of these extortionists are. These criminals have no political identity.” Addressing the interim government, Khan said, “You haven’t come to power on your own; 180 million Bangladeshis put you there, not for amusement or to live luxuriously. Why can’t you arrest the extortionists? Are you afraid? Criminals are being snatched from police stations. What is your job? The Home Adviser should have resigned long ago over these murders and incidents of criminals being freed from custody.” He added, “There’s no issue with tasting power, but you must fulfill your responsibilities properly. You shouldn’t care how tall, short, or small the extortionists or terrorists are. The people don’t have time for that either. Learn from history. Last night, from Dhaka University to villages, towns, and ports across Bangladesh, people rose in anger. If this fire of resistance spreads, no terrorist will be spared. Arrest the murderers, terrorists, and extortionists, regardless of their party or group. If you consider their affiliations or power, step down from office.” Khan warned that those in the interim government supporting specific groups to gain power would face the same fate as the “fascist regime.” He accused some political offices and police stations of turning into party offices, stating, “The people and students didn’t sacrifice their lives for this. The government and all sections of society must build a united resistance.” In his speech, Nurul Islam Bulbul, a central executive council member and Dhaka South City Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, said, “Through 17 and a half years of struggle, we aimed to build a Bangladesh free from fascism, terrorism, and extortion. We shed blood, gave lives, and embraced disability. Yet, the political party we fought alongside has, since August 5, engaged in murder, terrorism, extortion, and rape, betraying the aspirations of the July-August movement.” Bulbul criticized the party for demanding quick elections without addressing the need for justice, reforms, or improving law and order. He accused them of engaging in disruptive activities to create chaos and seize power. “The public will not allow murderers, rapists, or extortionists to come to power. There’s no need for an inquiry committee for the Sohag murder; the people know which party is involved. They must be arrested and punished promptly through the courts.” The rally concluded with a protest march from Baitul Mukarram to Shahbagh, attended by central and city leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami.
