Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a rally at the capital’s Shapla square on the day of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) general meeting on October 28. At first, the administration did not allow the assembly, but later Jamaat-e-Islami was allowed to hold the assembly. This time, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that Jamaat’s gathering was not obstructed to avoid violence.
On Wednesday (November 1) night at his residence in the capital’s Manipuri neighborhood, after distributing the capital among the small businessmen, he said in response to the questions of the journalists, ‘On October 28, we did not allow the Jamaat-e-Islami to hold a mass meeting. But they did it themselves. A violent situation might have arisen if the police intervened after it was done. That’s why the police did not stop.
Because Jamaat-e-Islami is allowed to hold a rally without permission, there is a discussion in the political circles whether there is any agreement between Jamaat-e-Islami with the government or not? In this context, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, ‘No, we are not giving any concession, there has been no compromise either. Look at 330 daily newspapers, our electronic media is very strong. There are many other domestic and foreign media. It is being said everywhere, human rights, political rights. We thought that too. Although they (Jamaat) are not a registered party.’
He also said in this context, ‘People are rejecting BNP, they have already turned their back on Jamaat. We have not given them any space or discount. They have assembled themselves. A violent situation might have arisen if the police intervened after it was done. That’s why the police did not stop. BNP on one side and Jamaat-e-Islami on the other were holding a rally. On that day, the police dealt with the situation with patience.’
The Home Minister was asked to know more about the government’s position regarding the Jamaat in the future. In response to such question, the minister said that Jamaat is not a registered party. So they will not be allowed in any program.
Regarding the three-day blockade given by BNP, the minister said that the blockade was not officially lifted by BNP. BNP has done various kinds of sabotage at various times. Now trying to come to power in other ways.
