Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has criticised the interim government for what he described as its failure to address the grievances of families who lost relatives in the July events, saying it was “shameful” that those families had to take to the streets.

Speaking as the chief guest at a workers’ rally organised by the Workers’ Welfare Federation in Mirpur on Friday afternoon, Dr Shafiqur said the interim administration’s shortcomings had compelled the July victims and the injured to protest publicly. 

It is a matter of shame that the families of the July martyrs have had to take to the streets on the day the July documents were signed,” he said.

Dr Shafiqur argued that Jamaat-e-Islami had suffered uniquely in Bangladesh’s history and therefore understood the pain of the July victims better than others. He claimed that while many demands have been accepted for other groups, the “July fighters” remained deprived. He also asserted that the party had not taken any personal revenge against individuals since the July movement.

Turning to wider issues, the Jamaat leader said corruption had been present in the past and persisted today. “If Jamaat-e-Islami were to form a government, extortion would not be permitted,” he told the rally, adding that workers would no longer have to take to the streets or face violence to secure legitimate demands.

The event in Mirpur included a labour congregation attended by party supporters and trade union members.