Jamaat Leader Accuses Government of Fueling Campus Violence, Calls for Constitutional Reform

Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Friday accused the government of escalating political tensions by allegedly encouraging attacks on members of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Speaking at a ward-level conference held at Johan Dream Valley Park auditorium in Jhenaidah, Parwar claimed that while the government speaks of political reconciliation in parliament, it is simultaneously inciting the opposition student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, against Shibir activists across the country.

He alleged that Shibir members had been subjected to violent attacks in several districts, including Chattogram, Cumilla, Pabna, and Ishwardi. Referring to an incident at Dhaka University’s student union, he said leaders elected by “30,000 student votes” had been assaulted “like hyenas” by rival activists.

Parwar further accused opponents of spreading misinformation through fabricated photo cards and propaganda to discredit Shibir, rejecting claims that the organization operates covertly. He argued that despite such allegations, university students continue to support Shibir.

The Jamaat leader also criticized the government over what he described as a “betrayal” involving a “note of dissent” and failure to implement the July Charter, despite signing it. He called for the charter to be incorporated into the constitution to prevent further political instability and violence.

He warned that Jamaat and its allies would continue their movement both in parliament and on the streets until their demands are met.

Parwar also alleged that past election results were manipulated through “election engineering,” and called for a judicial investigation into the matter.

On a more cooperative note, he said opposition parties are willing to work with the government to address the country’s ongoing electricity and energy crisis.

He urged party members to participate in nationwide protest marches scheduled for April 25 in metropolitan cities and May 2 in district towns under the banner of an 11-party alliance.

The event was chaired by local Jamaat leader Ali Azam Muhammad Abu Bakar and attended by several leaders, including Mubarak Hossain, regional director for Jessore-Kushtia, and Members of Parliament Matiar Rahman and Abu Taleb.