Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader in Parliament Shafiqur Rahman has said there is no reason to view State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain’s actions during an anti-drug drive negatively, although carrying a firearm in public could set a dangerous example.
“His actions cannot be described negatively. But when an elected representative or a state minister carries a firearm in broad daylight or points it at someone, he may have acted with good intentions. However, there is no shortage of people in society who could use it with bad intentions. They may use this as a reference,” he said.
“If you look at the matter from a civic perspective, that is the only point of objection. There is nothing to object to about his actions,” he added.
Shafiqur made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after a former associate and member conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Chittagong city unit at the GEC Convention Centre in Chittagong on Tuesday. He attended the conference as the chief guest.
Asked about the role of the police, the Jamaat chief said: “Ishraque has already answered that on my behalf.”
Ishraque came under criticism after taking part in an anti-drug drive in the capital’s Gandaria area on Saturday with a firearm in hand. He later resigned as state minister for liberation war affairs.
Saying he had resigned at the prime minister’s direction, Ishraque said he took the decision to spare the BNP and the government an “embarrassing” situation. However, he maintained that he had done nothing wrong during the drive.
On Ishraque’s resignation, Shafiqur said it was an internal party decision by the BNP. He noted that Ishraque had said the prime minister wanted him to resign.
“Drugs are destroying society. He said there were police personnel and forces present at the scene. It would have been better if he had not carried the firearm. That is all,” Shafiqur said.
