Dhaka, Feb 1 (V7N) — In response to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s recent remarks, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said on Saturday night that he had indeed been “secretly” imprisoned for years under the Awami League government, but he never abandoned the country in times of crisis.

Addressing an election rally at the Green Road Government Staff Quarters field in Dhaka, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman responded to Tarique Rahman’s reference to Jamaat as “hidden” by saying, “For years, the people of this country did not see certain individuals. If that person calls me ‘hidden’—yes, I was hidden, repeatedly in prison. If you call that hidden, then I am indeed hidden.”

He emphasized that during more than three years of imprisonment under Sheikh Hasina’s administration, neither he nor any Jamaat member fled the country. “Even when facing certain death, we returned to Bangladesh with courage,” he added.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also accused BNP leaders and activists of harassing and assaulting female Jamaat members during election campaigning. “Those who kicked mothers in the chest and threatened to strip them are now showing sympathy in the name of ‘family cards,’” he said.

Promising development in the leather sector if Jamaat comes to power, he noted that despite visits to the Hazaribagh tannery in Savar, the industry has yet to be modernized. “We will take all necessary measures for modernization,” he assured.

During the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer handed over the nomination symbol, “Dari-Palla,” to the party’s candidate for Dhaka-10, Jasim Uddin. The candidate outlined local issues including electricity, gas, water shortages, and waterlogging, and promised to work toward practical solutions if elected.

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