Not handouts, building skilled manpower is core goal of our politics: Shafiqur

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today (22 January) criticised promises by political rival BNP to provide family and farmer cards, saying his party's politics is not centred on charity but on building skilled human resources to engage the youth in nation-building with dignity.

He made the remarks today (22 January) while addressing a rally held at Adarsha High School in Mirpur-10, part of the Dhaka-15 (Mirpur-Kafrul) constituency, as Jamaat kicked off its campaign for the 13th national election and referendum. The rally also marked the formal launch of the campaign of the 10-party alliance, led by Jamaat.

Referring to the upcoming polls, he said the people's victory would not mean the capture of power by any particular family or group, but a victory for the masses. "For the past one and a half decades, there was no insaf [justice] in the country.

"That is why corrupt individuals dared to loot banks and siphon off people's deposits abroad. They built 'Begum Para' overseas and established a reign of terror at home. Had there been justice, looters would not have found escape routes," he said.

Mentioning the crisis in the banking sector and the stock market, the Jamaat chief said those who looted banks and stole the savings of millions of customers have pushed ordinary people to the brink.

"If the 10-party alliance comes to power, the looted money will be recovered, and justice will not be sold in exchange for money," he added.

Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, he said the blood of martyrs Abu Sayed and Sharif Osman Hadi would not be allowed to go in vain. "Those who want to silence the revolutionaries of 2024 should remember — Hadi was one, now 18 crore people are inspired by Hadi's spirit. The Bangladesh of the future will be a free land, liberated from hegemony."

Highlighting local problems in Dhaka-15, Shafiqur said, despite being home to around 10 lakh people, the constituency has no standard government hospital or college. "Mirpur's residents are suffering due to gas shortages and a filthy drainage system.

"If elected, we will work with local people to permanently solve the gas crisis and establish world-class educational institutions," he said.

Emphasising women's rights and safety, he said the country would be built through the joint efforts of men and women. "We will ensure 100% security for women at workplaces and in public movement. Any violation of the dignity of our mothers and sisters will not be tolerated."

At the opening of the rally, the Jamaat ameer introduced other candidates of the 10-party alliance, including National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, and handed over Jamaat's electoral symbol 'Scales' and the alliance's coordinated symbols to them.

Addressing the rally, Nahid, who is the alliance's candidate for Dhaka-11, praised Shafiqur, saying his identity goes far beyond being the party chief. "He is an inspiration to the July fighters, a persecuted people's leader who endured oppression in the prisons of tyrants, and a visionary of a humane Bangladesh."

He also warned that the people and students remain prepared to resist any attempt to manipulate the election process. "Our national struggle is not over yet. The forces of hegemony and fascism are still conspiring against the country from Delhi."

Stating that their task remains unfinished, Nahid added that the objectives of the struggle would be realised if the 10-party alliance forms the government by winning the election.