Jamaat Leader Warns of New Movement Over "Canceled" Fundamental Rights

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Dr. AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad has criticized the government for allegedly undermining fundamental rights and warned of a new mass movement if public grievances are not addressed.

Addressing a regional conference at the Muslim Mission Auditorium in Faridpur on Friday, Azad claimed that recent parliamentary actions have stripped citizens of their basic rights. He questioned the government's stance on human rights, specifically citing "mirror houses" (Ayna Ghor) and enforced disappearances as tools to suppress the opposition.

The Jamaat leader also touched upon electoral controversies, questioning the validity of recent polls and the government's rejection of what he termed a "70 percent public verdict." Referring to recent violence against student leaders, he expressed concern over safety, noting that attacks are occurring even within the vicinity of police stations.

Azad issued a stern warning regarding partisan violence, calling on the government to restrain its cadres. "If the government fails to control its thugs, the people will be forced to resist," he said. He also addressed past allegations against his party's student wing, Shibir, by pointing to recent incidents of violence in Chittagong to argue that other groups are responsible for such brutality.

Concluding his speech, Azad reminded the administration of the "July Movement" and urged party activists to prepare for future street protests if the government refuses to "understand the language of the people."