Jamaat should take criticism against government to parliament, not streets: Rizvi

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has told Jamaat-e-Islami to take its criticism of the government into parliament instead of trying to establish its opposition presence through street programmes.

Speaking at an emergency press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan office, Rizvi referred to Jamaat’s long march and other recent programmes. He said the party had begun taking to the streets only six months after the government took office, rather than assessing its promises or offering constructive criticism.

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Instead of highlighting what this government is doing according to its promises or giving constructive criticism of its work, you have started showing your presence on the streets as an opposition party.

“Instead of highlighting what this government is doing according to its promises or giving constructive criticism of its work, you have started showing your presence on the streets as an opposition party,” Rizvi said.

He said Jamaat could announce political programmes, but should also present its allegations in parliament. “You could have presented your statements or allegations on this issue in parliament as well. I see you speak quite well in parliament sometimes. But once you come outside, it appears completely different,” he said.

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You could have presented your statements or allegations on this issue in parliament as well. I see you speak quite well in parliament sometimes. But once you come outside, it appears completely different.

Rizvi accused Jamaat leaders of using language outside parliament that was “not parliamentary language, not civilised language and not polite language”. He also criticized the party for opposing legal action against people accused of making offensive remarks about the prime minister and his family. Strong criticism was acceptable, he said, but “dirty remarks” about the government, its head or anyone’s family could amount to a crime.

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You can criticise. We have repeatedly said that you can even strongly criticise. But you are encouraging those who are making personally abusive, offensive and obscene remarks.

He separately urged Jamaat to bring alternative proposals on the country’s gas and energy crisis to parliament. Responding to the Jamaat Ameer’s allegation that the government had failed to run the country, Rizvi said the government still had five years ahead and urged critics to ask the public about its performance. He claimed that foreign reserves had risen two and a half times from their lowest level during the Awami League government, alongside improvements in development, production and economic indicators.

At the start of the press conference, Rizvi also asked BNP leaders to remove their billboards and banners.

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If you had any alternative proposal regarding gas and energy, you could have discussed it in parliament.