“Do not meddle with snakes; they will bite you and kill you”

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Shafiqur Rahman has warned against supporting those accused of enforced disappearances, killings and torture over the past 15 years, saying they could strike back if provoked.

Speaking at a discussion meeting at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka, on Tuesday, he said, “Do not meddle with snakes; they will bite you and kill you.”

The meeting was organised by Jamaat-e-Islami with family members of those killed on October 28, 2006, in attendance.

Shafiqur Rahman alleged that some people were encouraging those responsible for enforced disappearances, killings and torture during the past 15 years.

He warned that the Awami League had never left state power in a normal manner and said those seeking to follow the same path could face a similar fate.

The Jamaat chief said his party was seeking justice rather than revenge.

He added that it did not want anyone to be unjustly sentenced to death or subjected to mistreatment, but insisted that the maximum punishment should be ensured for every offender through due justice.

He also said Bangladesh belonged to all its people and vowed that the country would not be handed over to any “fascist force”.

Recalling the suffering of his party colleagues and their families, Shafiqur Rahman said many had died after facing persecution, while some families were still unable to locate the graves of their loved ones.

He added that some parents remained unaware of whether their missing children were alive or dead.

He argued that politics should focus on public welfare, national development, justice and the elimination of discrimination, rather than killing people.

He also said those within the Awami League who loved the country should seek a political platform of their choice, while warning against the return of what he described as fascism.

On political reforms and the referendum, Shafiqur Rahman said people had voted for change to prevent the emergence of another authoritarian system, rather than merely to introduce constitutional amendments or fulfil formal requirements.

He called on the government to remember the suffering of the past and pledged that his party would continue to demand justice for all killings and work towards building a humane Bangladesh based on justice and fairness.