BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami wants to turn Bangladesh into Afghanistan and push the country backward instead of moving it forward.
“We do not want to go backward; we want to move forward. Jamaat-e-Islami wants to take the country in reverse and obstruct progress,” Mirza Fakhrul said.
He made the remarks on Monday morning while addressing an election campaign at Lalmia Market in Dholarhat Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.
Referring to comments allegedly made by the Jamaat ameer about women, Mirza Fakhrul said, “I do not know whether it is true or false, but if he has indeed made such statements against women, then it is completely unjust. Women will never accept this.”
He further alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami does not want women to work. “They say women should stay at home and not work. They even told garment workers that they should not work for more than five hours. If women do not work, how will they survive?” he questioned.
Mirza Fakhrul also stressed the importance of education for women, saying that if girls are not allowed to attend schools and colleges or pursue education, they will not be able to secure jobs. “No government will give money to people who do not work. That is deception,” he said.
Emphasizing gender equality, the BNP leader said that men and women must live in Bangladesh with equal rights. He noted that the female population in the country is higher than the male population and added that Islam also instructs that women must be given their rightful due.
Local BNP leaders and activists, leaders of affiliated organizations, and a large number of people from various walks of life were present at the event.
FP/MI