Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called for the punishment of at least two to four top criminals to be ensured before the upcoming national elections, emphasising that visible justice is essential to restore public trust. Speaking at a discussion titled “In Memory of the Martyrs and Injured in the July Mass Uprising” held at the Sylhet District Shilpakala Academy on Thursday, July 24, he said: "Not all trials can be completed in this short time. But the people want to see sincerity—from the government and the judiciary. We want to see something tangible. At least two or four of the most notorious criminals must be punished. That will set a precedent. Once that begins, the process will continue. It will then become the moral responsibility of any future government to carry these trials to completion."
Shafiqur stressed that necessary reforms and accountability measures must begin now, and that elections should be held in the first half of next year.
“If elections are held without basic reforms, just as they were before, it will once again bring sorrow and pain to the nation. We do not want to repeat that history,” he warned.
He highlighted the public’s deep expectations: “In the last three elections, people could not freely exercise their right to vote. They were unable to choose the party or candidate they truly wanted. That’s why the next election is not just political—it’s a matter of national dignity.”
On the issue of leadership in the July uprising, the Jamaat leader firmly rejected claims of being the movement’s “mastermind.”
“We have never claimed to be the mastermind – and we have denied it. Because if we name one or two people as leaders, we undermine the sacrifice of thousands. We do not want to diminish anyone. Every fighter is our mastermind. Not one individual.”
He pledged that if Jamaat comes to power, the martyrs and injured of the July uprising will receive due recognition and state support.
“We do not want to fill cracks with empty words. We have no property abroad, no ancestral home overseas, no foreign masters. Our only master is the people of Bangladesh. Neighbouring countries will have priority in our foreign policy—but if anyone tries to infringe upon our sovereignty, 180 million people will stand united against them.”
Iterating Jamaat’s commitment to ethical governance, Shafiqur Rahman said: “We will not engage in politics aimed at grabbing state resources for ourselves or our relatives. In the future, those elected on social responsibility will be required to publicly declare their assets—first to their party, then to the nation. This declaration must be made annually, to ensure transparency and accountability. This is how we will build a corruption-free Bangladesh.”
He condemned corruption and syndicates in strong terms: “Extortion and syndicate culture are worse than begging. Begging is halal—if someone is starving, they may beg. But why do you extort? Why do you create syndicates? I’m not targeting any party—I’m speaking about such individuals. And if such a person belongs to any party, that’s their problem, not mine.”
Concluding his speech, the Jamaat Amir declared: “I have fought against fascism. Now, I will lead the fight against corruption. And I believe the people of Bangladesh will win this war.