Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has publicly accused certain activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of orchestrating a targeted assault on Jamaat’s leaders and activists on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Speaking to journalists, Dr Rahman denounced the attacks as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and detain party members.
“No individual or political party has the right to incite mobs against ordinary citizens,” he asserted, sharply criticising what he termed “the politics of dirty mobs”. He added, “The era of mob politics in our country should have long since ended. The people are now sufficiently aware, and no one can influence public opinion through fear or intimidation.”
On Wednesday, 21 January, Dr Rahman visited Ibn Sina Hospital in Kallyanpur, Dhaka, to check on the injured activists. He told reporters that the assaults had not been limited to male activists alone; female members were also victims of the violence. “Those who carried out such attacks,” he remarked, “have evidently never understood the respect owed to mothers and sisters. We do not wish to witness such inhuman acts any longer.”
Dr Rahman directed a message to all political parties, urging them to present their policies and programmes transparently to the public. “The citizens will make their decisions based on both past and present experiences,” he said. He emphasised that Jamaat’s core objectives remain justice, fairness, and the establishment of a corruption-free governance system.
Furthermore, he appealed to all candidates contesting the 300 parliamentary seats to allow voters the freedom to make independent choices. He also called on the Election Commission to uphold its commitment to a level playing field, ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.
The following table summarises the incident and Jamaat’s response:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | 20 January 2026 |
| Purpose of Attack | Intimidation and detention of Jamaat activists |
| Victims | Both male and female party activists |
| Jamaat’s Stance | Call for an end to mob politics; promotion of justice and fair governance |
| Message on Public Awareness | Citizens are sufficiently aware; influence via mobs is no longer possible |
| Appeal to Election Commission | Ensure equal opportunity and a level electoral field for all candidates |
Dr Rahman’s statements underscore Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to democratic principles, emphasising goodwill and integrity in political conduct, and highlighting the importance of free expression and independent decision-making by the electorate.