Pabna, Jan 25 (V7N) — Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said that for 54 years after independence, Bangladesh’s national dignity had been kept “mortgaged elsewhere,” adding that such dominance would no longer be tolerated.

Addressing a large election rally at Edward College ground in Pabna on Saturday night, organized by the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance, Dr Rahman said the country would no longer submit to any form of external domination. “From now on, no symbol of hegemony will remain in Bangladesh. We will fear none but Allah,” he told the gathering.

He said the recent rise of freedom-seeking people has caused discomfort among certain quarters. Without naming any country, he urged neighboring states to respect mutual sovereignty, stating that Bangladesh would not interfere in others’ internal affairs and expected the same in return. He added that excessive interference in Bangladesh’s internal matters must come to an end.

Dr Rahman said meaningful political change requires structural reforms, stressing that the first vote of the people must be cast in favor of a referendum. He described a “yes” vote in the referendum as a vote for freedom, while a “no” would amount to submission. He warned that without public support in the referendum, forming a government would be meaningless.

The Jamaat chief pledged that if his party is given the opportunity to form a government through public support, it would neither engage in corruption nor allow it to flourish. He said extortion would be eliminated and justice would be ensured across society without discrimination. “If an ordinary citizen commits a crime, they will face justice, and if the president commits the same crime, they too will be brought under the law,” he said, adding that Jamaat is committed to establishing rule of law regardless of consequences.

Referring to past political repression, Dr Rahman alleged that 11 central leaders of Jamaat were killed in custody during previous regimes, including former Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami and former lawmaker Maulana Abdus Sobhan. He said the party continues to pursue the goals for which those leaders sacrificed their lives.

He urged the public to resist the return of what he termed fascism, claiming Jamaat leaders and activists were subjected to killings, enforced disappearances, office closures, and destruction of homes over the past 15 years. He cautioned supporters not to adopt the role of oppressors after years of suffering.

Dr Rahman also warned against extortion and illegal occupation following recent political changes, saying such practices contradict the values Jamaat stands for. He reiterated that Jamaat would not collect donations by force and would ensure lawful means of livelihood if it comes to power, allowing people to live with dignity and self-respect.

The rally was presided over by Pabna district Jamaat Ameer and Pabna-4 parliamentary candidate Professor Abu Taleb Mondol and conducted by Secretary Professor Abdul Gaffar Khan. Among others, speeches were delivered by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Pabna-5 candidate Principal Maulana Iqbal Hossain, Pabna-1 candidate Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, Pabna-2 candidate Professor KM Hesab Uddin, Pabna-3 candidate Maulana Asgar Ali, Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah Sibghah, former Shibir central president Engineer Sirajul Islam, and central cultural secretary Hafez Abu Musa.

END/MSR/SMA/