Jamaat-e-Islami supremo Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday, firmly rejected claims that his party was involved in attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu community, describing these allegations as part of a "malicious" media campaign aimed at tarnishing Jamaat's image. Rahman not only dismissed the accusations but also challenged the narrative that Jamaat engages in anti-India activities, urging India to present any evidence if such claims hold water, news agency PTI reported. Addressing the media, Rahman refuted allegations of Jamaat activists attacking Hindus in Bangladesh, calling the claims "baseless." He emphasised that the minority Hindu population, which has suffered vandalism and devastation of temples in recent violence, has his party's full support. According to Rahman, Jamaat activists have actively worked to protect Hindu properties in the wake of the unrest following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster and subsequent flight to India on August 5. "We don’t believe in dividing our people into minorities and majorities. Hindus in Bangladesh are our brothers, our friends," Rahman was quoted as saying by PTI. Instead, he pointed fingers at the Awami League, claiming they are responsible for the attacks while blaming Jamaat. Rahman defended Jamaat's record over the past 16 years, stating there hasn’t been a single instance of Jamaat members seizing or looting Hindu property. He stressed that all citizens, regardless of their community, have equal rights in Bangladesh, as guaranteed by the Constitution. As for the claims of Jamaat’s involvement in anti-India activities, Rahman brushed these aside as a "wrong perception" fueled by misinformation. "We are not against any country. We are pro-Bangladesh and focused on safeguarding our nation's interests," he said as quoted by PTI, adding that if India could prove Jamaat's involvement in any anti-India actions, the party would apologise. Meanwhile, in what is seen as a relief for his party as the interim government has officially reversed a decision to ban the political activities of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. This decision, formally announced in a gazette notification on Wednesday, marks a significant departure from the stance taken by the previous Awami League government earlier this month, just days before it was ousted from power. On August 1, the former Awami League government had imposed a ban on Jamaat, with the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issuing a related notification on the same day.
