Jamaat sheltering ‘many covert extortionists’: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that “many covert extortionists” have found shelter within Jamaat-e-Islami.

“They (Jamaat-e-Islami) are making big claims, saying extortion has been carried out over the telephone. But they should look at themselves first,” the political advisor to the prime minister said at a discussion at the National Press Club on Sunday afternoon, bdnews24.com reports. 

“In Mirsharai, two Jamaat leaders were caught while extracting sand from the Feni River. One was named Jahangir and the other Robiul. In Feni, a leader—who is also a Rukon of the party—reportedly took money from people promising to secure their acquittal from a case. These incidents have been reported in newspapers. I have mentioned only one or two examples. That means Jamaat provides patronage to such activities.”

The BNP stalwart said, “They do politics in the name of religion and present themselves as entirely pure. Just as they secretly infiltrated the Chhatra League and the Awami League, many covert extortionists have also taken refuge within Jamaat.”

Rizvi alleged that Jamaat attempts to disguise extortion by using Arabic terminology.

“You use Arabic words. Instead of calling it extortion, you call it Hadiya or Yanat. You try to cover it up with Arabic terms. But you are not involved in these practices any less than others. There is evidence in many places that people have been threatened and pressured for money. I have only mentioned two or three cases; there are countless more.”

He said the key issue was whether political parties take action against wrongdoers within their ranks.

“After Aug 5, when such incidents occurred within the BNP, our party chairperson and the current prime minister took strong action. Hundreds of leaders and activists were expelled, relieved of their duties, or served show-cause notices. No one was spared—from influential leaders to grassroots activists.”

Rizvi claimed that many Jamaat leaders and members at different organisational levels had also faced allegations of extortion.

Rizvi said most of the Rukon members were engaged in extortion.

“Whenever reports appeared in newspapers, you expelled them. So how did you become angels? How did you become so completely purified? Those who have not been caught are still there within your party.”

He suggested that Jamaat’s rhetoric stemmed from expectations of gaining power.

“You are speaking this way because perhaps you think you may come to power. But you have not understood the mindset of the people of this country. The people of Bangladesh are religious, but they do not like Jamaat. They are religious, but they also do not support extreme anti-religious activities.”

The discussion, titled “Sangskritik Agrashon Protirodhe Zia” (Zia and Resistance to Cultural Aggression), was organised by the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JaSaS) at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of late president Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi said Bangladeshis reject both the “religious business” conducted by Jamaat and anti-religious rhetoric associated with some Awami League figures.

“People did not accept the comments made by Awami League leader Latif Siddique about Hajj and Makkah. He had said Hajj was organised by Arabs for economic reasons. People did not like those remarks.”

“At the same time, people have never accepted those who sell religion, trade in faith, and deceive people by selling tickets to heaven.”

Addressing JaSaS leaders and activists, Rizvi stressed the importance of promoting Bangladesh’s indigenous cultural heritage.

“I believe JASAS should practise and promote the cultural expressions that emerge from the soil of this country. That does not mean culture must be limited to our own traditions. There is no problem in embracing the positive cultural achievements of the world.”

“Do we not study world philosophy? Do we not read European philosophy? Do we not listen to good music from Europe and other countries? Of course we do. But if any foreign power or aggressive force deliberately conspires to destroy the culture rooted in our own soil and weaken our cultural strength, it is the responsibility of Jatiotabadi (nationalist) forces and Jatiotabadi (nationalist) cultural organisations to resist that effort.”