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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Elections & Politics

Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Criticize BNP in Parliament, Demand Quranic Law and Security Cards

From Daily Star · (7m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Jamaat-e-Islami lawmakers criticized the BNP in parliament, questioning its claim as a "Liberation War party" and accusing the ruling party of neglecting national crises.
  • MP ATM Azharul Islam demanded the enforcement of Quranic law and proposed a "security card" due to alleged attacks by ruling party activists, stating MPs cannot move freely.
  • Another MP, Rafiqul Islam Khan, accused the ruling party of focusing on opposition attacks while ignoring issues like the fuel crisis and deteriorating law and order.

In a fiery parliamentary session, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmakers have launched a sharp critique against the BNP, challenging its very identity as a "Liberation War party" and accusing the ruling party of dereliction in addressing pressing national issues. The debate, centered around the president's address, saw accusations fly and demands for radical policy shifts.

MPs cannot move freely and jokes that people now need a ‘security card’

— ATM Azharul IslamMP ATM Azharul Islam's statement in parliament regarding the perceived lack of security for lawmakers and the public's reaction.

ATM Azharul Islam, a prominent Jamaat-e-Islami MP, directly questioned the BNP's historical claim, pointing out its founding in 1978, well after the 1971 Liberation War. He provocatively asked how a party established years after the war could claim such a title, suggesting that while freedom fighters exist within the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami also boasts such individuals. His questioning extended to the apparent contradiction of thanking a president associated with a "fascist regime" after fighting against one, implying political expediency over principle.

Adding a layer of personal concern, Azharul Islam highlighted the perceived lack of security for lawmakers. He recounted personal experiences of alleged assaults by ruling party activists and proposed the introduction of a "security card" system. "MPs cannot move freely," he stated, painting a picture of an environment where even elected officials feel threatened, leading to public jokes about needing yet another card for basic safety.

How can BNP be a Liberation War party? You may say there are freedom fighters in BNP, but likewise, there are freedom fighters in Jamaat-e-Islami too.

— ATM Azharul IslamMP ATM Azharul Islam questioning the BNP's claim to be a 'Liberation War party'.

Rafiqul Islam Khan, another Jamaat-e-Islami MP, echoed these sentiments, accusing the ruling party of myopically focusing on the opposition while critical national problems like the fuel crisis, rising prices, and a worsening law and order situation are left unaddressed. He reminded the house of Jamaat's past support for the BNP, suggesting a debt of gratitude that he felt was being ignored. The exchange underscores a deep political divide and a starkly different set of priorities being voiced within the parliament.

It seems the opposition is the government’s only problem.

— Rafiqul Islam KhanMP Rafiqul Islam Khan accusing the ruling party of prioritizing the opposition over national issues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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