Jamaat Conspiring Through Long March: Rashed Khan
Mr. Rashed Khan, Political Assistant to the Prime Minister, has described Jamaat-e-Islami as a politically rash party that is systematically plotting against the administration through its long march program. Speaking to reporters on Friday morning at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, Mr. Khan asserted that while the government’s performance over the past six months has earned high praise from the public, Jamaat’s disruptive street movements are creating an opportunity for the Awami League to make a political comeback. He emphasized that such extreme political programs targeting a newly formed government ultimately undermine national stability.
Expanding on his critique, Mr. Khan highlighted disturbing political parallels between current developments and past events. ‘An extreme program like a long march should not be staged against such a newly formed government,’ Mr. Khan stated, noting that the Jamaat chief’s call to overthrow the administration in December aligns suspiciously with fascist Ms. Sheikh Hasina’s announced intention to return to the country in the same month. Drawing comparisons to 1996, when Jamaat and the Awami League previously united on the streets against the BNP government, he added that the public now harbors deep suspicion regarding another joint movement.
Mr. Khan warned Jamaat that clearing the path for Ms. Sheikh Hasina’s return through reckless street action would not benefit their party, as the Awami League merely intends to exploit the chaos. Taking direct aim at alliance leaders participating in the Dhaka-Rangpur long march, he remarked that if the initiative were genuinely a people-friendly program, participants would walk on foot rather than embark on a long drive. He further criticized an alliance leader for riding in an Awami League Prado vehicle and making provocative statements, urging Jamaat to refrain from such actions.
Highlighting the tangible disruption caused by the protest, Mr. Khan argued that blocking major transit routes for Jamaat’s seven-point demand causes severe economic damage and public suffering. He noted that blocking the Dhaka-Chittagong highway resulted in major financial losses, a pattern now repeating in Rangpur through wasted fuel and non-cooperation with administrative functions. Nevertheless, Mr. Khan affirmed that despite considering the long march illogical, the government respects dissenting views, assuring that both the BNP and the administration will extend full cooperation while police and intelligence agencies remain on high alert against potential destabilization.
Mr. Khan made these comments while visiting Gate No. 1 of Begum Rokeya University, the historic location where Mr. Abu Sayeed was martyred during the 2024 mass uprising. Before his interaction with the press, he visited Rangpur Medical College Hospital to discuss healthcare improvements with management, later inspecting the burn unit and speaking directly with patients. Mr. Khan was accompanied during the visit by key local officials and leaders, including District Council Administrator Mr. Saiful Islam, University Proctor Dr. Ferdous Rahman, Chhatra Dal President Mr. Raphael Imtiaz Yamin, Principal Dr. Anwar Hossain, and Hospital Director Brigadier General Mr. Ashiqur Rahman.
