The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami poses a threat to Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and future, said Gono Odhikar Parishad President and State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur.

He urged young people to remain vigilant about Jamaat’s politics and what he described as the party’s alleged conspiracies in order to uphold the spirit of the July Mass Uprising.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed attended the event as the chief guest, while State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain was present as a special guest.

“Considering the interests of the country, and Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, we must remain vigilant about Jamaat. We must also remain alert to the party’s alleged conspiracies,” Nur said.

He alleged that Jamaat was making anti-government statements in public while holding positive discussions behind the scenes.

He also accused the party of making provocative statements to incite people, thereby creating an opportunity for the rehabilitation of the Awami League.

Referring to the Awami League, Nur said the party was a chapter of Bangladesh’s past and had no present or future. He urged the government to strictly suppress all political activities of the party.

Nur claimed that although a historic opportunity had emerged after the July Mass Uprising, Jamaat-affiliated individuals had been placed in important positions in various state institutions during the interim government by using students.

He alleged that attempts had been made to establish the influence of a particular political circle in various sectors, including the police administration, universities, the energy sector and the Bangladesh Civil Service cadre.

He further alleged that social media had been used to create a perception that Jamaat was the country’s largest political force, with technology being used to influence public opinion. In many constituencies, he said, social media campaigns had little connection with the reality on the ground.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad president said some young people who had participated in the July movement had become dependent on Jamaat before establishing their own political base, undermining the prospects of building an alternative political force.

“Those who support Jamaat are already with Jamaat. But if another proxy political force is created, the core spirit of the July Mass Uprising will be called into question,” he said.

Referring to foreign powers, Nur alleged that various international actors had attempted to use Bangladesh’s political situation to serve their own interests during and after the movement.

He warned that an attempt could be made to create a narrative of the rise of extremism in Bangladesh by projecting Jamaat to the forefront, with the aim of creating a new political crisis in the future.

“If Jamaat rises, an abnormal situation may emerge in Bangladesh in the coming days. Therefore, everyone must become aware now. It is essential to build a national consensus on the issue of Jamaat to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said.

On the current government, Nur said it must succeed in maintaining stability in the country. At the same time, he said, any attempt to undermine the government would ultimately harm the country.

He called for unity among democratic forces and urged them to give the highest priority to national interests in order to uphold the spirit of the July Mass Uprising.