Administration will rise, sit, arrest, file cases at our command: Jamaat leader Shahjahan goes viral, party demands explanation

Shahjahan Chowdhury, central Majlish-e-Shura member of Jamaat-e-Islami, said yesterday that the administration in every electoral area must "rise and sit, make arrests and file cases" on Jamaat's orders.

"I won't say it nationally, but in each electoral area, those in the administration must be brought under our control. They will rise at our command, sit at our command, arrest at our command, and file cases at our command," he said at a gathering of Jamaat's electoral officials in Chattogram's GEC Convention Centre.

"Today's opportunity for Jamaat-e-Islami will not come again in the future," he said.

The former member of parliament also said, "Forget about the country's corrupt money, sacks of money and weapons will pour into the country from neighbouring Hindustan [India]. If our Ameer-e-Jamaat was present, I would tell him that elections are not just about the people."

Party demands explanation

A video of the speech where he was seen making these remarks was widespread online, following which, the Jamaat leadership discarded those, labelling "completely contrary and contradictory" to the party's stance.

Muhammad Shahjahan, assistant secretary general and Chattogram' Zonal Head of Jamaat, told The Business Standard today that the statement was "completely opposite and contradictory to Jamaat's viewpoint. As a party, Jamaat does not support it."

He added, "You will see, no leader in Jamaat's history has ever made such a statement. His [Shahjahan's] attention was immediately drawn to the matter. This morning too , senior party leaders drew his attention to it. An explanation has been sought from him. If necessary, he who made the statement will also explain it before the media."

Notably, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, who had flown to Chattogram for the assembly, was not present on stage when Shahjahan gave his speech. 

He took the floor after the party chief had concluded his address and left the event. Though Shahjahan was on stage at the time, according to sources.

Attempts to reach Shahjahan for comment on the matter were unsuccessful as of filing this report.

In his speech, the Jamaat leader further said, "In each electoral area, primary school masters must be told about the 'Daripalla' [referring to Jamaat's electoral symbol]. All higher secondary school teachers must be told about it."

He addressed partymen and said, "The police must walk behind you. The OC [officer-in-charge] will know your morning programme and will provide you with protocol. The UNO [upazila nirbahi officer] will have to account for all development projects to the nominee [Jamaat's MP candidate]."

Referring to his past influence, he said, "I have helped many in my southern district. At that time, my name wasn't even announced as a candidate. I had connections with advisers; Tk100 crore in Lohagara, Tk100 crore in Satkania, and to implement [projects], Tk10 crore in Lohagara, Tk10 crore in Satkania [was provided]."

Commenting on past governance, he stated, "Forgive me, elections are not about organisation alone. Organisation is definitely needed. Organisation is our basic foundation. Organisation is our only bearer and carrier.

"But if you cannot give space to the people, then winning elections is difficult. For example, the fascist government [referring to the now-banned Awami League] only wanted to rule the country with AL people. They became disconnected from the people. 

"That is why Awami League leaders were forced to flee the country amidst the people's movement," Shahjahan said.

Criticism followed

His remarks have sparked widespread criticism, highlighting deep concerns about the party.

A netizen commented, "Shahjahan Chowdhury's statement clearly indicates what the upcoming election will be like. Since 5 August [last year], we've been witnessing various games and tactics to keep the administration in hand. Educational institutions haven't been excluded from this either."

Another questioned, "And are their true faces now coming out?"

Another netizen wrote, "Is this the blueprint then? The real face of the upcoming election seems to have come out of Jamaat leader Shahjahan Chowdhury. It seems like this isn't an election fight, but a plan to directly 'takeover' the administration!"