Those considered India's friends have occupied properties of Hindus: Jamaat's Taher

Individuals and groups perceived as "friends of India" are responsible for occupying properties belonging to Hindus in Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said today (22 January).

Speaking at an election rally in Cumilla this morning (22 January), Taher referred to a report published in India's Anandabazar Patrika, which, he said, claimed that the leader of a rival political party had agreed to three conditions with India.

Taher said the reported conditions include the rehabilitation of those associated with what he described as fascism, requiring India's approval for Bangladesh to purchase weapons for self-defence, and suppressing Islamist political parties in the country.

He said reporter of Anandabazar Patrika had asked him whether Jamaat leaders had occupied Hindu properties.

"I told them that many Hindu properties in this country have indeed been illegally occupied, but not a single Jamaat member has done so. The properties of Hindus have been occupied by those whom India considers its friends," he said.

He further said the 10-party alliance has grown into a broad-based coalition, which includes the country's major Islamist parties, representatives of the student movement that led the 2024 mass uprising, and a Bir Bikrom freedom fighter from the Liberation War.

"Regardless of party affiliation, people must unite for the sake of development and vote for honest and competent candidates," Taher said, adding that electing their alliance would ensure the protection of citizens' lives and property.

Taher was speaking at the first election rally in support of the "Scales" symbol and the "Yes" vote for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum. The rally was held in the Chhupua area of Kalikapur Union under Chauddagram upazila in Cumilla.

The programme was presided over by former Chauddagram Government College GS Khalilur Rahman Majumder. Special guests included Jamaat Central Majlis-e-Shura member Abdus Sattar, Chauddagram upazila Ameer Mahfuzur Rahman, former Ameer VP Sahab Uddin, municipal Ameer Maulana Md Ibrahim, upazila secretary Belal Hossain, and industrialist Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan Naim.

The rally was jointly moderated by former Cumilla South District Shibir secretary Fariduzzaman Rubel and former student leader Kamruzzaman Noman.

Among others who addressed the gathering were former Adda Government College principal and freedom fighter Mir Harunur Rashid, former Kalikapur Union chairman Salahuddin Majumder, Ruhul Amin, former Shreepur Union chairman Mostafa Nuruzzaman Khokon, Chhupuya Madrasa managing committee vice-president Abul Khayer Majumder, and several local Jamaat leaders.

Leaders and activists from all nine wards of Kalikapur Union were present at the rally.