Jamaat seeks withdrawal of Bangladesh road minister’s remarks over extortion
Sheikh Rabiul Alam | BSS photo Cultural exchange programs
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday demanded the withdrawal of a recent remark on extortion made by Road Transport, Railways and Shipping minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam.
In a statement sent to the media, the party also sought a clear explanation from the minister to the nation and urged him to refrain from making such comments in the future.
Jamaat assistant secretary general Ehsanul Mahboob Zubair expressed concern and protested the remarks, alleging that the minister’s comment legitimised extortion in the name of ‘compromise’.
The party called for strict legal measures to prevent extortion and to ensure their effective implementation.
In the statement, Zubair said that the minister had recently, in effect, given legitimacy to extortion under the guise of ‘compromise’. He termed the remarks unexpected, undesirable and unethical.
‘Extortion is a criminal offence. It poses a serious threat to society, the economy and the rule of law. If a message goes out from a responsible minister that illegal collection of money or unethical compromise is acceptable, it would be a disgrace for the state,’ he said.
Such validation, he added, would encourage criminals to engage in extortion and other offences, weaken law and order, and deprive people of justice, transparency and accountability.
Zubair said that it is the government’s responsibility to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against extortion and corruption and to take visible and effective action against those involved.
‘There is no scope for hiding crime under the name of “compromise”. The minister’s remarks have raised questions about the moral position of the state,’ the statement said.
Reiterating the party’s position, he said that Jamaat-e-Islami’s stance against extortion, corruption and irregularities is uncompromising, warning that the people would not tolerate even the slightest trace of corruption.
The statement said that the government must ensure the safety of people’s lives and property by stopping extortion, which it described as a constitutional responsibility of the state.
‘If the government fails to fulfil this responsibility, the people will be united in resistance against extortionists and compel the government to take action,’ it added.
Jamaat also urged the people to remain aware and united in the demand for justice and the rule of law.
The newly appointed minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has come under heavy criticism for his comment that he does not consider the money collected in the name of organisations of road transport owners and workers on mutual understanding as extortion.
New Age
