BNP Questions Claim of Jamaat Leader’s Social Media Hack

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed serious doubts over claims that Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ameer Shafiqul Rahman’s social media account was hacked, raising concerns about the timing and context of the announcement. The purported hack was reported nearly nine hours after Shafiqul Rahman posted a controversial message perceived as misogynistic, prompting questions from the BNP regarding the narrative surrounding the incident.

At a press briefing held on Sunday at the BNP’s Gulshan election steering committee office, party spokesperson and senior adviser Mahdi Amin scrutinised both the claim and the delay in its disclosure. He stated, “Whenever a significant account is compromised, the public is informed immediately. Here, however, the announcement came at 1:00 a.m., by which time the post had already generated widespread social reaction. Naturally, this raises questions about the authenticity of the claim.”

Mahdi Amin further noted that during the intervening period, Shafiqul Rahman’s account continued to post content without any indication of a hack. According to BNP sources, the alleged breach was first detected at 4:55 p.m. on 31 January, and a General Diary (GD) was filed at Hatirjheel Police Station only at 3:30 a.m. the following day. “Why was the GD lodged nearly 12 hours later?” he asked, calling the delay “unexplained and suspicious.”

The BNP representative also highlighted the party’s concerns regarding Jamaat-e-Islami’s approach towards women. “Shafiqul Rahman’s post encourages discourse rooted in medieval attitudes, particularly concerning women,” Mahdi Amin said. He added that while women play a vital role at the grassroots level—handling tasks such as national identity registration and mobile payments—their opportunities for leadership within Jamaat remain limited.

He further emphasised women’s contributions across education, healthcare, administration, sports, and leadership, warning that any form of denigration, harassment, or violence against women would be categorically rejected by the BNP.

The press conference was attended by BNP media cell convener Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Jubo Dal central president Abdul Monayem Munna, and senior co-vice president of the volunteer wing Yasin Ali, among others.

Timeline of Ameer Shafiqul Rahman’s Controversial Post and Hack Claim

The BNP’s criticism centres on the timing of the hack announcement and the party’s apparent stance towards women, raising wider questions about accountability and social responsibility in political communications.