At a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the Chattogram Press Club, senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury called on all citizens and political forces to unite against fascist forces threatening democracy in Bangladesh.
Speaking as the chief guest, Shahjahan Chowdhury, a member of Jamaat’s Central Working Committee and former whip of the party’s parliamentary team, sharply criticized the Awami League, accusing it of suppressing democratic institutions and media freedom. “The fallen Awami regime replaced democracy with a one-party BAKSAL system. They silenced the press, shutting down all newspapers except four,” he alleged.
He further accused the ruling party of undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty over the past five decades. “They handed the country over to foreign influence, looted public wealth, and crippled the economy through corruption and money laundering,” he said, asserting that a growing public uprising had forced the government into retreat.
Chowdhury also claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami had been the target of a smear campaign, calling it “information terrorism” led by the Awami League. He alleged that Awami League and its student and affiliate bodies are now facing consequences for their involvement in crimes and violence. “They have been banned due to their involvement in killings, terrorism, and crimes against humanity,” he claimed.
“We must now stand united against fascism,” he urged, emphasizing the need for national solidarity to restore democratic governance.
The discussion, held at the July Shaheed Smriti Hall of the Chattogram Press Club, was presided over by Press Club member secretary Zahidul Karim Kochi.
Also speaking at the event were Jamaat Central Shura member and Chattogram city secretary Prof. Muhammad Nurul Amin, journalist union president Shahnewaz, Jamaat assistant secretaries Mohammad Ullah and Morshedul Islam Chowdhury, organizational secretary and former ward councillor Prof. Shamsuzzaman Helali, and Dr. AKM Fazlul Haque.
Senior journalists including Zahurul Islam, Mostafa Naeem, and Muhammad Saifullah Chowdhury contributed to the discussion. Journalist Shohag Biswas moderated the session, which also featured remarks from Saiful Islam Shilpi, Hasan Ferdous, Muhammad Arif, Shahidul Islam, Golam Mawla Murad, Nuruddin Ahmed, and Nazim Uddin Majumdar.
The meeting focused on the role of the media, democratic accountability, and the political future of Bangladesh amid rising calls for change.
