Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami getting ready for ‘do-or-die’ anti-govt movement

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political party of the country, is now taking preparations for waging a ‘do-or-die’ movement to oust the incumbent Awami League-led government.  

“We have enough preparations for movement. As per our organisational capacity, we will wage the movement to oust this Awami League government,” Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim told the Daily Sun.

Mentioning that their ongoing movement for 10-point demand will turn into one-point ‘oust government movement’ gradually, the Jamaat leader said they are now working to take a decision whether they will go for an all-out movement before or after the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

Professor Mujibur Rahman, acting Ameer of Jamaat, at a programme of the party on Friday called upon all to take preparations for movement-struggle of the days to come.

“Speaking truth before the repressive ruler is the best Jihad. The ruling Awami League has crossed any of the past repressive rulers. In this situation, there is no way to remain silent. Resistance will have to be built against the repressive government for the demand of Iman [belief],” he said.

The party insiders said Jamaat leaders and activists are reorganising secretly to wage final phase of their movement to oust the incumbent government.

Its central leaders are regularly visiting different districts to reorganise the party men and holding meetings secretly at different places across the country for preparation of their movement.

During their meetings, the central leaders are giving special directives to the party activists to sacrifice anything even life and property for the sake of the oust government movement, the sources added.

Though the Jamaat has been carrying on movement alone, after leaving greater platform of simultaneous movement led by BNP but the party will finally follow movement outline of their ally in the oust-government movement at the final stage to compel the government to meet their demands.        “We will wage movement altogether to oust this government,” Jamaat leader Abdul Halim said.

The Jamaat declared its movement in December last demanding 10-point, including resignation of the current government and holding the next parliamentary polls under a non-party caretaker government.

The party insiders said Jamaat will announce its next course of action soon to implement their plan.

The Islamist organisation on Tuesday brought out a protest procession in the city’s Mirpur area, demanding release of its central leaders, a statement of the party said.

Jamaat leader Abdul Halim claimed that their party is carrying out programmes in whatever way they can, though not on streets, as the government does not allow them to stage any programme.

During the BNP-led anti-government movement before the 2014 general election, Jamaat-Shibir men allegedly unleashed destructive activities across the country, leaving many people dead and many others injured. Law enforcers arrested many central and grassroots leaders and activists.

Later, the Jamaat-Shibir men almost went into hiding following the crackdown and got involved in their own businesses instead of carrying out street programmes since then.

In the wake of tougher action taken against its leaders and activists, the Islamist party and its student wing Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir carried out activities from behind the scene for its survival.

Jamaat insiders said the party is reorganising its different units, front and associate organisations, including Shibir, across the country to wage a ‘do-or-die’ movement to oust the government.

This time, the party has planned to wage a ‘decisive’ movement if it is necessary. They think that if they fail again in the movement, their existence will be at stake, the sources added.

In view of the current situation, the organisational activities of the Islamist party are being carried out at the grassroots level applying different strategies as per the instructions given by the central command.

Sometimes the decisions of the party are reaching everyone through personal talk. Sometimes the organisational talks are held using social media platform.

Talking to the Daily Sun about their movement, Ataur Rahman, a Jamaat leader of Dhaka north city unit, said that they are already in movement. “We have been carrying on our programmes regularly. However, we will take to the streets with big programmes on time.”

He claimed that they have to hold their programmes suddenly without announcement in fear of arrest.

The Jamaat men in December last locked in clashes with law enforcers in the capital's Malibagh, Mouchak, Shahjahanpur and Rampura areas as they tried to bring out processions after Juma prayers leaving many injured, sources said.