Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday said that the voting rights of expatriates must be ensured.
“You cannot call them remittance warriors and then deny them the fundamental right of citizenship—the right to vote. In the upcoming election, expatriates must be able to cast their votes transparently and comfortably, whether from home or abroad,” Shafiqur said as the chief guest at an Eid reunion event organized by the Barlekha upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami at Barlekha Bazar.
He said: “For the past fifteen and a half years, those who have oppressed the nation continue to do so. Sometimes they raise their heads and make provocative statements. Their intention is to destabilize the nation. From toddlers to the elderly—people were killed.
"Even after all this, they show no remorse, nor do they seek forgiveness from the nation. What they have done is as clear as daylight, yet they are not ashamed. They should be repentant, but instead they are trying to make the nation restless.”
Addressing the youth, the Jamaat chief said: “I want to thank the youth. Under your leadership, Bangladesh has changed. We endured fifteen and a half years of oppression, resisted, and protested. Though we couldn't remove the fascists, you—the youth—have succeeded. We do not want to see a chaotic Bangladesh; we want to see a humane one. In the future, you will play a more courageous role in building a better Bangladesh.”
He added: “For the past fifteen and a half years, you couldn’t vote. Many of you still haven’t reached voting age. But those who will turn eighteen before the election schedule is announced must have their right to vote ensured. The youth fought to reclaim their rights; the government must ensure their voting rights.”
He further said: “If any dark forces try to interfere in this election, just as they were expelled in July, we will resist them again. This election battle will be led by the youth.”
Shafiqur continued: “We want to place our trust in the words of the chief adviser. He has already said the election will be held by mid-April. He must keep that promise to the nation. We previously said it would be better to hold the election before Ramadan. If, for any unavoidable reason, the election is postponed, it should not go beyond April. This election must be fair, and the people must be able to exercise their right to vote. Such an environment must be ensured.”
Criticizing the current education system, Shafiqur said: “The present education system in Bangladesh must be reformed. It does not produce morally upright individuals. Even after acquiring education, people struggle to find jobs, endlessly roaming with files in hand. This system must be changed. If Jamaat comes to power, the first step will be massive reforms in the education system. It will be overhauled so that one can choose and create their own job after completing education. No one will remain unemployed after being educated.”
Following the Eid reunion event, the Jamaat ameer visited the home of two brothers from the same family who tragically died in an accident on Eid day while distributing sacrificial meat in Barlekha upazila.
He offered condolences to their father, Alauddin Alai Mia, and led a prayer with those present, seeking forgiveness for the departed souls.
