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Dhaka, October 9: Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has challenged those alleging that he owns hundreds of auto-rickshaws, demanding proof that even a single rickshaw is registered in his name.
The controversy follows a claim by Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan that a political leader advocating acceptance of auto-rickshaw drivers’ demands owns around 700 auto-rickshaws.
The allegation was widely understood to refer to Porwar.
Porwar rejected the allegation, saying that even claims of owning 700–800 rickshaws were baseless and challenging those making the accusation to provide evidence of a single rickshaw in his name.
The dispute stems from Porwar’s support for the demands of battery-powered auto-rickshaw drivers. On October 5, he said the government should accept their demands.
In response to the allegation, Jamaat-e-Islami also condemned the claim as false, fabricated and unsupported by evidence.
The party called on the DNCC administrator to produce verifiable proof or withdraw his statement and publicly apologise.
The allegation and subsequent denial have intensified the political debate over the ownership, regulation and operation of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka.