Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan has criticised Jamaat-e-Islami over its decision not to hold a roadside public meeting in Gopalganj during the party’s long march from Dhaka to Khulna.

Although Jamaat had planned to organise public meetings in several districts along the route, the decision to skip Gopalganj has drawn criticism from Rashed Khan.

In a post on his verified Facebook account on Saturday (October 31), he described the decision as a sign of political immaturity.

In his post, Rashed Khan wrote that Jamaat-e-Islami was travelling from Dhaka to Khulna through a long march and planned to hold public meetings in every district except Gopalganj. He also pointed out that the party had formally announced the decision at a press conference.

He questioned how politically immature a party could be to hold a press conference just to announce such a decision.

Rashed Khan further remarked that Jamaat leaders frequently claim they fear no one except Allah, yet the party would not hold a public meeting in Gopalganj because of fear of its residents.

“This is their faith, and this is their courage,” he wrote.

Questions Jamaat’s Political Courage

Questioning the political courage of Jamaat leaders, Rashed Khan wrote: “With this very faith and courage, Sadik Kayem and others had supposedly prepared a plan to occupy Ganabhaban.”

He questioned why the party could not prepare a plan to enter Gopalganj and organise a long march towards the district.

He also alleged that the Jamaat-led alliance was unwilling to take risks or become involved in any confrontation.

According to him, the party wants to become the opposition but fears that holding a public meeting in Gopalganj could be viewed as an act of provocation.

He also referred to Jamaat leader Mia Golam Porwar’s appeal for prayers from the people of Gopalganj to ensure the success of the long march.

Says People Expected a More Defiant Political Stance

Rashed Khan said people had expected Jamaat to demonstrate a more assertive political position.

He argued that if the party had dared to march towards Gopalganj and even declare the district independent, people might at least have believed that Sadik Kayem and others had genuinely prepared a plan to occupy Ganabhaban.