No more room for fascism in BD: Jamaat ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that there is no more room for fascism in Bangladesh.
The people have prepared a "red card" for those who thrive on extortion.
"For those who have chosen extortion as a new profession, the message is clear for them-- a complete red card," he said.
Shafiqur Rahman was addressing an election rally at Gendaria's Dhupkhola Field in the capital on Sunday afternoon.
Organised by the 11-party electoral alliance, thousands of Jamaat stalwarts and leaders gathered at the rally to support candidates in the Dhaka South City Corporation constituencies.
The Jamaat Ameer presented a vision for a "new and discrimination-free Bangladesh" ahead of the 13th national election slated for February 12.
Supporting the alliance candidates, including Syed Zainul Abedin for Dhaka-4 and Mohammad Kamal Hossain for Dhaka-5, the Jamaat ameer gave a stern message to those who are engaged in local crimes.
"Extortion is worse than begging. We will launch two mobile apps-- one to identify extortionists and another to allow citizens to report local problems directly to their representatives," he said.
About Jamaat's social welfare plans, he emphasised that the security and dignity of women are paramount.
He promised introducing special bus services for working women and the reservation of the entire lower deck of the state-run double-decker buses for female passengers.
"We do not want to keep our youth at home with doles. We want to transform them into skilled workers. By making them proficient in English and Arabic alongside Bangla, we will make them fit for the international markets," he said while rejecting the idea of passive unemployment benefits.
Dr Shaifiqur Rahman noted that Dhaka South remains a witness to the bloodshed for freedom.
He portrayed the upcoming election as a choice between sovereignty and servitude.
"A 'Yes' vote on the 12th means Azadi (freedom), while a 'No' means Gulami (slavery)," he said.
Shafiqur Rahman vowed to address the chronic issues of water logging and pollution in the Dhaka South.
He also pledged that if his alliance comes to power, the local councillors, mayors, and MPs will be held personally accountable for the state of the rivers.
"If the representatives fail to clean the rivers, they will be made to bathe in that same polluted water four times a year," he stated.
"When they will submerge themselves in the stench every three months, they will be forced to keep the water pearly clear. We want representatives who act as people's watchmen, not masters," he said.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com