Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and leader of the opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday questioned what he described as widespread “political grabbing” across all sectors, directing sharp criticism at the BNP over allegations of corruption, politicisation and governance failures.
“Why is political grabbing happening everywhere with brute force?” he asked while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party opposition alliance at the historic Madrasa ground in Rajshahi.
The rally was held demanding implementation of the referendum verdict, easing public suffering and fair share of the Padma River waters.
Referring to alleged partisan appointments at Bangladesh Bank, Shafiqur Rahman said, “You could not even keep the central bank of the country properly. You have appointed an incompetent, partisan person there.”
He also accused the BNP leadership of failing to curb corruption, saying, “Your leader once said he would crush corruption. But you came to power and said if something is taken through negotiation, it is not extortion. I strongly condemn it.”
“Your identity used to be the nationalist party. Now people call you the extortion party,” he said, adding that corruption and extortion were spreading across the country.
The Jamaat chief said citizens must stand as “true guardians” against injustice. “This country has 200 million people. We all must stand as protectors. No one will hand over rights to us out of mercy; we must fight for them,” he said.
He also criticised alleged politicisation in public universities, saying competent administrators were being replaced by “loyal but unqualified” individuals, which he described as a “mockery of the nation.”
Shafiqur Rahman also raised concerns over water-sharing issues, blaming upstream interventions for the drying of rivers including the Padma and Teesta.
“The Padma becomes a desert in the dry season and a source of suffering in the monsoon,” he said, while urging effective implementation of the proposed Padma Barrage and Teesta master plan.
He further commented on regional relations, saying Bangladesh respects neighbouring countries but opposes discrimination against Muslims. “We do not want division or unrest based on religion, but we see harassment of people based on identity,” he said, calling on the international community to act on humanitarian concerns.
Describing Bangladesh as a country of religious harmony, he said all citizens must enjoy equal rights regardless of faith.
He also alleged economic mismanagement, saying banks and financial institutions had been “looted” and unemployment was rising. “If a nation keeps looking only 55 years into the past, it cannot move forward,” he said, urging focus on development and river management.
Shafiqur Rahman also reiterated demands for implementation of the Teesta master plan and restoration of river navigability, warning of continued political movement both in parliament and on the streets if demands were ignored.
The rally was presided over by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Rajshahi regional chief Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan. Leaders and activists of the 11-party alliance attended the programme.