A. A. Abir Akash, Lakshmipur Correspondent:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Central Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for an end to misrule and corruption. He spoke as the chief guest at a public gathering in Lakshmipur on Saturday. Three times
They also demanded the release of Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, who was imprisoned on charges of crimes against humanity in 1971.
"Please arrange for Azhar's release now. I don't want to stay outside anymore by keeping him inside," he said at a public gathering organized at the Lakshmipur Adarsh Samad Government High School grounds on Saturday afternoon.
The International Crimes Tribunal was formed during the Awami League government in 1971 to try crimes against humanity. Several Jamaat leaders were also hanged at that time.
After the Awami League government was ousted from power in a mass movement, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with several ministers-MPs, former IGPs and army officers, have been put on trial for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Commenting on the 'murder' of top 10 Jamaat leaders after the Awami League came to power, Jamaat Amir Shafiqur Rahman said, "Azharul Islam has been struggling for his life in the dark cell of prison for 13 years. Please arrange for his release now. I don't want to stay outside with him inside."
"I have requested the government, on February 25, I will voluntarily surrender myself to the law enforcement agencies and ask them to arrest me. Send me to jail. The day Azhar's brother is released, release me the next day."
Claiming that 30 million people in the country directly support Jamaat, the Jamaat Ameer said, "If Azharul Islam is not released, these 30 million people will be ready to go to jail."
Shafiqur Rahman spoke as the chief guest at the rally organized by Lakshmipur District Jamaat.
Commenting that many things have changed in Bangladesh in 54 years, he said, "In 2024, people hoped that misrule and corruption would end. But people could not be free."
Lakshmipur District Jamaat Ameer Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan presided over the rally.
Md. Faruk Hossain Nurnabir moderated the rally, and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum, Central Executive Council member Mubarak Hossain, Central Working Council member Kazi Deen Mohammad, Dhaka Metropolitan North Secretary Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation General Secretary Atiqur Rahman and Dhaka Laxmipur Forum President Dr. Anwarul Azim, among others, spoke as special guests.
