In a sharp rebuke of recent political violence, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, has declared that the era of “mob rule” and orchestrated intimidation to sway public opinion is officially over. Speaking during a hospital visit on Wednesday to see party activists injured in the Dhaka-15 constituency, Dr Rahman called for an immediate cessation of the “mob mentality” that has recently clouded the electoral atmosphere in Mirpur.
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The Peererbagh Altercation
The tension centres on an incident that occurred last Tuesday in Mirpur’s Peererbagh district. According to Jamaat-e-Islami, their female activists were conducting a peaceful grassroots meeting when they were reportedly surrounded and harassed by members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The party claims that when male activists from Jamaat and its student wing, Shibir, arrived to rescue the women, they were met with a violent assault.
Conversely, local police provided an alternative narrative, suggesting the conflict was sparked by Jamaat workers collecting voter data door-to-door. This activity was challenged by locals and rival political supporters, leading to heated arguments that eventually degenerated into a series of “chases and counter-chases” throughout the evening.
Incident Profile: Dhaka-15 Electoral Clash
| Category | Details |
| Location | Peererbagh, Mirpur, Dhaka-15 |
| Date | Tuesday, 20 January 2026 |
| Parties Involved | Jamaat-e-Islami vs. BNP |
| Injured | Multiple activists (hospitalised) |
| Trigger Event | Dispute over voter data collection and meeting disruptions |
| Key Demand | Equal opportunity and rule of law by the Election Commission |
Respect for the Electoral Code
Dr Rahman emphasized that political parties must respect the institutional framework of the state. “If any Jamaat member violates the electoral code of conduct, the appropriate authorities are there to address it. No individual or rival party has the legal or moral authority to incite a mob,” he stated. He expressed profound dismay over the alleged targeting of women, questioning the ethics of those who would assault female campaigners.
“The world is watching, and people are more aware than ever,” Dr Rahman remarked, asserting that modern voters cannot be coerced by the “thuggish tactics” of the past. He urged all political entities to place their faith in the democratic process and the will of the people.
A Warning to “Hooligans”
The Jamaat chief concluded by calling on the Election Commission (EC) and the Interim Government to ensure a level playing field for all contestants. He warned that the youth of Bangladesh, who were instrumental in recent political shifts, would not tolerate a return to the chaotic and manipulated electoral environment of the previous fifteen years.
“Whoever is elected, it is the duty of all parties to congratulate them and cooperate for the sake of the nation,” he said. “But if the electoral field is sabotaged by terrorists and hooligans, the awakened youth will not forgive the perpetrators.”