Tarique Accuses Jamaat of Threatening Bangladesh Democracy

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman has strongly criticised the rival political party Jamaat-e-Islami. He accused the group of acting like “new tyrants” and trying to weaken democracy ahead of the general election scheduled for the 12th of this month.

Speaking at public rallies in Barishal and Faridpur, Mr. Tarique said it was worrying to see another force trying to control people after years of struggle against authoritarian rule. Without naming Jamaat directly at first, he hinted that the party’s actions were threatening the country’s democratic values.

He alleged that some undercover activists were planning to harm freedom of speech, voting rights, and the dignity of women. He also claimed that a leader from the group recently used disrespectful language against Bangladeshi women, which he described as a sign of a dangerous and backward mindset.

Mr. Tarique warned that any political party that disrespects women cannot help the country progress. He said there is a larger conspiracy to silence opposition voices and reduce people’s rights.

He also referred to history, drawing comparisons with the controversial role such groups played during the 1971 Liberation War.

His remarks came at a time when Jamaat-e-Islami released its election manifesto in Dhaka. Although the manifesto did not clearly mention women’s working hours, the party’s leader, Shafiqur Rahman, spoke about plans to gradually reduce women’s working time. Under this idea, employers would pay for the hours women work, while the government would compensate for the remaining time. The proposal has already sparked debate among the public.

The issue has added to political tensions in the country as the election date approaches.