Jamaat Ameer Cannot Evade Responsibility for Violence During Workers' Movement: Rashed Khan

PNN News Desk | Jhinidah

Prime Minister's Political Assistant Rashed Khan has said that the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami cannot evade responsibility for violence and vandalism at industrial establishments surrounding the ongoing garment workers' movement.

He alleged that activists of the activities-banned Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, were attempting to create instability under the cover of workers' legitimate demands.

Rashed Khan made the remarks on Tuesday (November 3) while responding to questions from journalists after attending the funeral prayers of Israil Hossain, Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs Secretary of the Jhinidah district BNP, at the Government Naldanga Bhukhu School playground in Jhinidah.

Rashed Khan said the government stood in solidarity with workers' legitimate demands. However, he maintained that Jamaat's Ameer could not avoid responsibility for violence and attempts to create disorder surrounding the labour movement.

He claimed that the demands raised by the Jamaat Ameer through his long march were already being addressed through government initiatives.

Referring to a statement allegedly made by the Jamaat Ameer that everything would be disrupted if the demands were not fulfilled, Rashed Khan claimed that vandalism surrounding the garment workers' movement began following those remarks.

He further alleged that garment factories were being set on fire as part of an attempt to destroy the country's economy.

However, he did not provide details of any specific incidents to substantiate the allegations.

Commenting on the incident involving the tearing of copies of the newspaper Amar Desh, Rashed Khan said the publication had once been considered a newspaper associated with their side.

However, he alleged that since the formation of the interim government, the newspaper had been publishing various narratives in support of bringing Jamaat-e-Islami to power.

He also claimed that the newspaper was currently functioning as a mouthpiece of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Rashed Khan further alleged that Jamaat leader Mia Golam Parwar had held a meeting with an Indian intelligence official.

He said he had previously made the claim public and challenged anyone who considered the information false to file a defamation case against him.

Explaining his position regarding the incident involving the tearing of copies of Amar Desh, Rashed Khan said he had torn what he described as a false narrative and misleading information.

He also alleged that attempts were being made to associate him with the activities-banned Awami League over the incident.

Speaking about the recent increase in gas prices, Rashed Khan said the country was facing an energy and gas shortage and that the government was trying to address the crisis through alternative measures.

He alleged that neither the Awami League government nor the interim administration had taken effective initiatives to explore new gas reserves or undertake fresh gas exploration.

He also claimed that market syndicates were obstructing the government's efforts in various ways.

According to Rashed Khan, the government would take decisions regarding gas prices once the supply crisis was resolved.

Referring to the political challenges facing the BNP government, he said the administration had to govern the country while confronting two opposing forces.

He alleged that the defeated forces of 1971 and 2024 were attempting to make the government fail.

Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Julfikar Ali, former Senior Joint Convener of Kaliganj Upazila BNP Hamidul Islam, former General Secretary Tabibur Rahman Minis and representatives from different levels of the local BNP and administration were also present.