Online Desk  :   Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has questioned why Bangladesh has been freed from fascism, yet ATM Azharul Islam, a key political prisoner and assistant secretary general of the party, remains incarcerated.  Speaking at a protest rally in Dhaka’s Paltan on Tuesday, he declared, “For 13 years, he has been locked away in a dark prison cell. We endured 13 years, but we will not wait even 13 more minutes. Azhar must be freed.”  The protest, held to demand the release of ATM Azharul Islam, transformed Paltan into a sea of people, with adjacent areas such as Baitul Mukarram, Nightingale Mor, Kakrail, Zero Point, and Press Club filled with demonstrators.

Dr. Rahman accused the Awami League government of imposing fascism in Bangladesh from 2009 to 2024, with Jamaat-e-Islami being its first political victim. He claimed that top party leaders were systematically imprisoned, and ATM Azharul Islam, who was then serving as acting secretary general, was also arrested as part of a conspiracy. He emphasized that despite 13 years passing, Azhar remains behind bars even after the fall of fascism. “Why is he still imprisoned? What is keeping him there? Why this discrimination?” he asked.

He further stated that Jamaat had previously called for the release of other political leaders out of goodwill and would continue to show such generosity in the future. However, the party now demands to know when ATM Azharul Islam will be freed. Expressing frustration, he said, “We never imagined we would have to take to the streets to demand Azhar’s release. This movement will continue until he is freed.”  Dr. Rahman’s passionate speech ignited the crowd, with party members erupting into chants. He warned the government not to test Jamaat’s patience, saying, “We are polite, but we are not fools. Do not mistake our patience for weakness. When the patient become strong, history shows what happens. For 15 and a half years, Jamaat-e-Islami has not bowed to any oppressive force. Our leaders chose martyrdom over compromise. We are their successors, and we will not wait any longer. Free Azhar now!”

Addressing the issue of Jamaat’s deregistered status, Dr. Rahman challenged the government, asking, “Why our party registration is still withheld? The previous oppressive regime stripped us of our registration. Will you continue this injustice? Did thousands of students and activists sacrifice their lives for this?” He vowed that the movement would persist until all forms of discrimination were eradicated. He then turned to party members, urging them to continue their struggle for a just and fair Bangladesh. “For the last 15 and a half years, you have not feared giving your lives, standing in the face of bullets, and joining the July movement. Are you ready to continue this fight?” In response, thousands of protesters roared their approval.

Leading chants, he declared, “The battle is not over. We will continue this fight, InshaAllah. Do not threaten us with authoritarian tactics. Speak in the language of politicians, and we will respond accordingly. But do not try to intimidate us—this party does not fear intimidation.” Dr. Rahman concluded by asserting that past conspiracies had failed, and any future attempts to suppress Jamaat would also be defeated. “We will resist all forms of fascism. Allah has dismantled oppression before, and He will do so again.”  Following the rally, a protest march was led by the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, with thousands of supporters joining the demonstration.