Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and the current Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, faced a heated protest and a tense standoff while paying respects to language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident occurred late Friday night (February 20) as Dr. Rahman was leaving the monument after laying a floral wreath with party leaders.
A group of onlookers began chanting slogans, including "Collaborators of '71, beware," sparking immediate tension in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, as the Jamaat chief attempted to exit through the rear of the stage, protesters blocked his path, shouting slogans referencing the party's role in 1971.
In response, activists from Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Shibir, retaliated with counter-slogans, including "Language Hero Golam Azam, we salute you."
The exchange of slogans threatened the solemnity of the occasion, prompting swift intervention from law enforcement.
Security personnel and party workers eventually formed a human shield to escort the Ameer safely away from the escalating situation.
Shift in Political Tradition
Before the incident, Dr. Rahman addressed journalists regarding his departure from the party's long-standing tradition of avoiding the Shaheed Minar.
On his presence: "I have come here to fulfill my state responsibilities as the Leader of the Opposition," he stated.
On religious stance: He evaded questions regarding whether the party still considers placing flowers at the monument as "permissible" (halal) or "forbidden" (haram) under Sharia law.
On the July Revolution: He remarked that it is a "moral duty" to honor everyone from the 1952 martyrs to the martyrs of the July 2024 Revolution, vowing to continue the struggle for a corruption-free and humane Bangladesh.
Following his departure from the Shaheed Minar, Dr. Rahman visited the Azimpur Graveyard to offer prayers and recite the Holy Quran at the graves of the language martyrs.
