Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Gholam Parwar has warned that if extortionists, land grabbers, and criminal elements are allowed to come to power, neither ordinary citizens nor minority communities will remain safe in the country.Speaking at mass contact programs and courtyard meetings in different areas of Atlia Union under Dumuria upazila of Khulna-5 constituency on Saturday morning (January 10), Gholam Parwar strongly condemned corruption, extortion, land grabbing, terrorism, and looting in politics.
Referring to the political change on August 5, he said, “After the political transition, the fascists were no longer in power. Then who were the people who engaged in extortion, occupied shrimp enclosures, and even collected money from peanut vendors in local markets? When people were beaten to death with stones for refusing to pay extortion, can anyone expect peace if such forces are handed state power?”
Warning Against Criminal Politics
Gholam Parwar said that even after political changes, those continuing extortion, land and enclosure grabbing, terrorism, and plundering must not be entrusted with state authority. “If such people come to power, not only ordinary citizens but also the lives and property of minority communities will be at serious risk,” he warned.
Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami from district, upazila, union, and student wings were present at the programs, along with representatives of minority communities and local elected officials.
Visit to Fire-Affected Families
During his visit, Gholam Parwar also went to the homes of Krishna Kundu, Raju Kundu, and Gopi Kundu in Angardaha village of Khornia Union, which were destroyed in a fire caused by an electrical short circuit. He inquired about their condition and expressed sympathy and solidarity with the affected families.
Criticism of Past Governments
Recalling 54 years of Bangladesh’s political history, Gholam Parwar said that governments under various symbols—including plough, boat, and sheaf of paddy—as well as military regimes, have ruled the country. “Yet no leader or head of government has been able to proudly claim that they delivered corruption-free, extortion-free, and oppression-free governance. In every era, Bangladesh has become a champion of corruption,” he remarked sharply.
Experience as a Lawmaker
Sharing his experience as a former Member of Parliament, he said that when he was elected, Dumuria was a stronghold of terrorism. “People would return home before evening. Every night was filled with fear of killings, enforced disappearances, and mutilations. By the grace of Allah, during my five-year term, I was able to free Dumuria from terrorism,” he said.
He recalled two pledges he had made before the election—eliminating terrorism and ensuring 100 percent transparent development.
Gholam Parwar claimed that during his tenure he implemented development projects worth approximately Tk 3.5 billion without taking a single taka in return. “I did not even take a cup of tea,” he said, adding that detailed accounts of all development work were published in book form, categorized by unions and sectors.
He said transparency was maintained in the construction of schools, colleges, mosques, temples, roads, electricity connections, tube wells, and cremation grounds.
Allegations of Renewed Conspiracy
In the current electoral context, Gholam Parwar alleged that there is once again a conspiracy to bring corrupt individuals back to power. “An MP will be elected, but he will stay in Dhaka or London, while his associates will run extortion rackets, muscle power, and land grabbing in the constituency,” he claimed.
He also referred to allegations against a rival candidate involving corruption worth thousands of crores of taka, a 13-year court sentence, and links to Hawa Bhaban.
Role in Combating Terrorism
Gholam Parwar said joint security forces were formed during his tenure, leading to the imprisonment or expulsion of many terrorists from the area. He added that whenever innocent people were affected, he worked with the administration to ensure their protection.
Hope for a Fair Election
He noted that he was unable to contest several elections or even vote due to spending seven and a half years in prison. However, he expressed hope that if the upcoming election is held under an interim government in a neutral manner, voters will be able to cast their ballots in a festive and fearless environment.
Appeal to Voters
Concluding his speech, Gholam Parwar urged voters to exercise their conscience while voting. “Judge who is free from corruption, who has not harmed people, and who has worked to eliminate terrorism. Power must not be handed over again to extortionists and occupiers. Entrust your sacred vote to honest people,” he said.