Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka City North Ameer and Central Executive Committee member Mohammad Selim Uddin said, “The government has turned into the worst autocrat regime by arresting leaders, activists, and common people from a religious discussion program on Zakat. The authority has committed this vicious task as they are on the verge of collapse.”
Mohammad Selim Uddin said this in a statement which has been issued today. He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those arrestees. He strongly condemned and protested the unlawful arrest of more than 50 pious people including party leaders and activists. Police arrested them from a discussion meeting titled ‘The importance and significance of Zakat in Islam’ at Four Sea Restaurant in Capital Market of Mirpur- 1 in the capital on Saturday.
“The holy month of Ramadan is once again appearing before us with the message of mercy, forgiveness, and, redemption from the punishment of Hell. By doing good deeds more and more in this month, one can attain worldly success as well as salvation in the Hereafter. Zakat is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. Promoting this unique concept of Zakat, many political, social, and religious organizations arrange discussion meetings, seminars- symposiums ahead of Ramadan to facilitate the collection process. Mirpur West Thana of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka City North arranged a discussion meeting on the importance and significance of Zakat at Mirpur-1 of the capital.
Darus Salam police station suddenly cordoned off the meeting place during the discussion. They arrested more than 50 participants from the discussion. Among them, 10 of the detainees were taken to police remand for a day and the rest of the detainees were sent to jail under the Special Powers Act of 1974 and the Explosive Substances Act. This is a serious violation of the right to exercise religion, rules of law and human rights. This is also the expression of the autocratic attitude of the government.
He strongly condemned and protested the arrest of common people including leaders and activists from the discussion meeting. He also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of these arrestees.
“The third paragraph of the Preamble of our Constitution states, ‘One of the main aims of our State will be the establishment of a socialist society free from exploitation in a democratic system – where the rules of law, fundamental human rights and political, economic and social equality, freedom and justice are guaranteed to all citizens’. But our dreams of independence and constitutional rights have not been established due to Awami League’s political and ideological bankruptcy. Awami League banned all political parties through the fourth amendment of the constitution in 1974 and established one-party-BaKSAL rule. They canceled the declaration of all media except four state-won newspapers on 16 July of the same year. They stopped the freedom of expression of people,” he further added.
This fascist and autocratic government should be ousted immediately. He urged all irrespective of political identities and ideologies to unite to dethrone the government and to restore the caretaker government during elections. “Article 11 of our Constitution clearly recognizes democracy and democratic values. Article 37 of the Constitution states, ‘Every citizen will have the right, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order or public health, to assemble peacefully and unarmed and to join in public meetings and processions’. Article 38 states, ‘Every citizen will have the right to form associations and associations subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of public order and morality’. But it is a matter of sorrow that innocent leaders and activists are being tortured and persecuted after they had been arrested from a religious meeting. It contradicts the spirit of democracy and democratic values,” he again added.
He urged all to become united to tackle the torture and oppression of the government. Otherwise, our nationhood will come under severe threat, he warned.