Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament Shafiqur Rahman stated on Tuesday (Oct 15) that while Ishrak Hossain's anti-narcotics initiative may have stemmed from good intentions, publicly brandishing a firearm sets a dangerous precedent that bad actors could exploit. Addressing journalists following a former associate-member conference organized by the Chattogram city unit of Jamaat-e-Islami at the GEC Convention Centre in Chattogram city, Shafiqur Rahman remarked that although the objective was clear, carrying and pointing weapons in broad daylight from a civil authority position invites valid objections from a civic standpoint, as others might misuse the reference.
The commentary follows significant controversy surrounding Ishrak Hossain, who participated in an anti-narcotics drive wielding a firearm on Saturday in the capital's Gandaria area. Facing intense backlash, Ishrak subsequently resigned from his position as State Minister for Liberation War Affairs. He stated that he stepped down at the directive of the Prime Minister to shield the government and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from an embarrassing situation, while maintaining that he committed no wrongdoing during the operation.
Describing the resignation as an internal party decision, Shafiqur Rahman noted that drugs are ravaging society, yet acknowledged that it would have been preferable had the state minister refrained from holding the firearm directly, despite the presence of police and security forces during the raid. When questioned regarding the conduct of law enforcement agencies during the incident, the opposition leader indicated that Ishrak himself had already addressed the matter.
Earlier in the day, addressing the conference as the chief guest, Shafiqur Rahman asserted that students and the public did not shed blood during the July mass uprising to empower looters and extortionists. He warned that the populace will never tolerate extortion, plunder, and injustice, emphasizing that perpetrators must account for every crime, oppression, and violation of human rights in the future.
Presided over by Chattogram city Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam, the conference featured Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Central President Nurul Islam as a special guest. Other notable attendees included Jamaat Assistant Secretary Generals A H M Hamidur Rahman Azad and Muhammad Shahajan, Dhaka South City Ameer and Member of Parliament Nurul Islam, Dhaka North City Ameer Muhammad Selim Uddin, Central Executive Council Member and Member of Parliament Shahahan Chowdhury, former Chatt Chattra Shibir Vice-President Jasim Uddin Sarkar, and former DUCSU General Secretary S M Farhad.
