Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami and the current opposition leader in Parliament, has sharply criticised President Mohammed Shahabuddin over his recent remarks concerning the dramatic political transition of August 5, 2024. The dispute follows an interview the President gave to the Bangla daily Kaler Kantho, in which he discussed the treatment he allegedly faced during the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus after Sheikh Hasina stepped down and left the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rahman, reacting in a Facebook post, accused the president of failing to disclose the full truth about the circumstances surrounding Hasina’s resignation. According to Rahman, Shahabuddin’s present comments do not align with what he reportedly told political leaders on the day Hasina resigned. He questioned why the President’s latest version of events differs from the statements broadcast to the nation at the time. Rahman also pressed the president to clarify inconsistencies regarding the controversial resignation letter, which remains at the centre of public debate.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-japan-tensions-escalate-as-tokyo-announces-plans-to-deploy-missiles-on-island-near-taiwan-what-s-happening-1772088423074">China-Japan tensions escalate as Tokyo announces plans to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan: What's happening</a>&nbsp;He argued that citizens are fully aware of the sequence of events and described any lack of transparency from the head of state as unacceptable. Rahman’s remarks come shortly after Shahabuddin alleged that Muhammad Yunus had attempted to remove him from office through unconstitutional means during his tenure as chief adviser. The president claimed that efforts were made under the interim administration to undermine constitutional order and create instability. The renewed clash has revived long-standing accusations from Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League that Yunus’s interim government emboldened Islamist factions in the aftermath of the August uprising.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-all-raw-minerals-critical-minerals-export-frozen-1772096376138/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-all-raw-minerals-critical-minerals-export-frozen-1772096376138/embed</a>&nbsp;Controversy continues to swirl around the question of Hasina’s resignation. On August 5, shortly after she left the country, Shahabuddin publicly stated that he had received her resignation letter. Such documentation was essential to formalise the establishment of the interim government.&nbsp;However, in an October 2024 interview with Janatar Chokh, the President appeared to contradict his earlier statement, saying he had only been informed of her resignation and had been unable to obtain the letter despite repeated attempts. That apparent reversal sparked calls for his impeachment, though he ultimately retained his position.Shahabuddin has since maintained that there were multiple attempts during the Yunus-led administration to pressure him out of office.

Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman accuses Bangladesh’s president of hiding facts about Sheikh Hasina’s 2024 resignation and political transition

Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami and the current opposition leader in Parliament, has sharply criticised President Mohammed Shahabuddin over his recent remarks concerning the dramatic political transition of August 5, 2024. The dispute follows an interview the President gave to the Bangla daily Kaler Kantho, in which he discussed the treatment he allegedly faced during the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus after Sheikh Hasina stepped down and left the country. Rahman, reacting in a Facebook post, accused the president of failing to disclose the full truth about the circumstances surrounding Hasina’s resignation. According to Rahman, Shahabuddin’s present comments do not align with what he reportedly told political leaders on the day Hasina resigned. He questioned why the President’s latest version of events differs from the statements broadcast to the nation at the time. Rahman also pressed the president to clarify inconsistencies regarding the controversial resignation letter, which remains at the centre of public debate. Also Read: China-Japan tensions escalate as Tokyo announces plans to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan: What's happening He argued that citizens are fully aware of the sequence of events and described any lack of transparency from the head of state as unacceptable. Rahman’s remarks come shortly after Shahabuddin alleged that Muhammad Yunus had attempted to remove him from office through unconstitutional means during his tenure as chief adviser. The president claimed that efforts were made under the interim administration to undermine constitutional order and create instability. The renewed clash has revived long-standing accusations from Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League that Yunus’s interim government emboldened Islamist factions in the aftermath of the August uprising. https://www.wionews.com/videos/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-all-raw-minerals-critical-minerals-export-frozen-1772096376138/embed Controversy continues to swirl around the question of Hasina’s resignation. On August 5, shortly after she left the country, Shahabuddin publicly stated that he had received her resignation letter. Such documentation was essential to formalise the establishment of the interim government. However, in an October 2024 interview with Janatar Chokh, the President appeared to contradict his earlier statement, saying he had only been informed of her resignation and had been unable to obtain the letter despite repeated attempts. That apparent reversal sparked calls for his impeachment, though he ultimately retained his position. Shahabuddin has since maintained that there were multiple attempts during the Yunus-led administration to pressure him out of office.

Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman accuses Bangladesh’s president of hiding facts about Sheikh Hasina’s 2024 resignation and political transition

Bangladesh political row deepens as Jamaat chief, Shafiqur Rahman, questions president Mohammed Shahabuddin over Sheikh Hasina's resignation

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, the Bangladeshi leader who compared working women to prostitutes, has won the Dhaka-15 constituency in the South Asian nation's 13th parliamentary elections. The Jamaat chief, as per the result announced by Bangladesh's Election Commission, defeated his rival by a margin of 21,614 votes.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-elections-us-congratulates-bnp-as-party-claims-sweeping-victory-tarique-rahman-poised-for-pm-1770951831261">Bangladesh elections: US congratulates BNP as party claims ‘sweeping’ victory; Tarique Rahman poised for PM</a><h2>Shafiqur Rahman wins Dhaka-15</h2>Rahman, running with "scales" (daripalla), garnered 85,131 votes, whereas his nearest rival, BNP candidate Safiqul Islam Khan, obtained 63,517 votes.<h2>Shafiqur Rahman controversy: When Jamaat-e-Islami chief compared working women to prostitutes</h2>Earlier, in a post on X, the Jamaat chief had said that women cannot be the head of his party. He claimed that when women are pushed out of the home in the name of modernity, it is merely another form of prostitution. Following a massive uproar, he deleted the misogynistic post.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-elections-bnp-leader-mohibuzzaman-kochi-dies-outside-polling-station-party-alleges-push-by-jamaat-leader-led-to-death-1770882364635">Bangladesh elections: BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi dies outside polling station; party alleges push by Jamaat leader led to death</a> Earlier, he had said that a woman couldn't lead Jammat-e-Islami, arguing that men and women were created differently by God. Childbirth and breastfeeding, he contended, are biological differences that define leadership roles. In line with the Jamaat chief's hardline views, the party did not field any female candidates for parliament. Rahman had also tried to defend the move by citing cultural barriers. He also asserted that most political parties have fewer women representatives.The party's female leaders stood by the decision, explaining it as an internal organisational affair, claiming that it was in line with the Jamaat's reading of Islamic principles. In a statement, Jamaat-e-Islami Women’s Wing Secretary Nurunnisa Siddika explained that the party's policy prevents women from occupying top leadership positions, citing Quranic principles that they believe designate these roles for men. According to her, Jamaat operates strictly according to its understanding of Islamic ideals, hence excluding women from leadership roles like ameer.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, once criticised for comparing working women to prostitutes, has won the Dhaka-15 seat in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections by over 21,000 votes. What does this result signal about the country’s shifting political mood? Scroll down to read.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, the Bangladeshi leader who compared working women to prostitutes, has won the Dhaka-15 constituency in the South Asian nation's 13th parliamentary elections. The Jamaat chief, as per the result announced by Bangladesh's Election Commission, defeated his rival by a margin of 21,614 votes. Also read | Bangladesh elections: US congratulates BNP as party claims ‘sweeping’ victory; Tarique Rahman poised for PM Shafiqur Rahman wins Dhaka-15 Rahman, running with "scales" (daripalla), garnered 85,131 votes, whereas his nearest rival, BNP candidate Safiqul Islam Khan, obtained 63,517 votes. Shafiqur Rahman controversy: When Jamaat-e-Islami chief compared working women to prostitutes Earlier, in a post on X, the Jamaat chief had said that women cannot be the head of his party. He claimed that when women are pushed out of the home in the name of modernity, it is merely another form of prostitution. Following a massive uproar, he deleted the misogynistic post. Also read | Bangladesh elections: BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi dies outside polling station; party alleges push by Jamaat leader led to death Earlier, he had said that a woman couldn't lead Jammat-e-Islami, arguing that men and women were created differently by God. Childbirth and breastfeeding, he contended, are biological differences that define leadership roles. In line with the Jamaat chief's hardline views, the party did not field any female candidates for parliament. Rahman had also tried to defend the move by citing cultural barriers. He also asserted that most political parties have fewer women representatives. The party's female leaders stood by the decision, explaining it as an internal organisational affair, claiming that it was in line with the Jamaat's reading of Islamic principles. In a statement, Jamaat-e-Islami Women’s Wing Secretary Nurunnisa Siddika explained that the party's policy prevents women from occupying top leadership positions, citing Quranic principles that they believe designate these roles for men. According to her, Jamaat operates strictly according to its understanding of Islamic ideals, hence excluding women from leadership roles like ameer.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, once criticised for comparing working women to prostitutes, has won the Dhaka-15 seat in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections by over 21,000 votes. What does this result signal about the country’s shifting political mood? Scroll down to read.

Bangladesh Elections: Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, who compared working women to prostitutes, wins Dhaka-15 seat

As Bangladesh went to polls on Thursday (Feb 12) to choose its next government, one of the leading parties, Jamaat-e-Islami, came under scrutiny for allegedly attempting to buy votes through a combination of cash payments and religious appeals. The party promised the voters both money and “salvation from grave punishment" in exchange for their support. The Jamat coalition reportedly circulated pamphlets nationwide, in which the party pledged 15,000 taka (around $125) to voters who back the party and its leader, Shafiqur Rahman.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-voterless-illegal-unconstitutional-sheikh-hasina-calls-for-cancellation-of-bangladesh-election-1770910927243">‘Voterless, illegal, unconstitutional’: Sheikh Hasina calls for ‘cancellation’ of Bangladesh election</a>&nbsp;As per the documents accessed by NDTV, the leaflets instruct voters to photograph their stamped ballots as proof. The documents opened with “You must fulfil the promise of having all family members vote for the ‘Dari Palla’ (weighing scale) symbol. This promise will make your afterlife free of sin and grant salvation from grave punishment."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-did-you-torture-her-emails-of-jeffrey-epstein-and-martin-nowak-reveal-shocking-details-all-about-6-5-million-to-harvard-and-private-travels-1770656438037">‘Did you torture her?’: Emails of Jeffrey Epstein and Martin Nowak reveal shocking details. All about ‘$6.5 million to Harvard’ and private travels</a>&nbsp;The document also mentioned that the &nbsp;Jamaat workers have already collected voter ID numbers and mobile numbers linked to bKash, Bangladesh’s leading mobile financial service. Individuals who submit photographs as proof for voting for Shafiqur Rahman in the Dhaka-15 constituency will receive payment via bKash or cash, with some advance payment offered. “This leaflet must be kept completely secret, keeping the Great Allah as witness," it added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/our-missiles-are-not-subject-of-negotiation-will-not-be-iran-dismisses-trump-s-desire-to-include-tehran-ballistic-missiles-in-nuclear-weapon-talks-1770814257366">‘Our missiles are not subject of negotiation, will not be’: Iran dismisses Trump’s desire to include Tehran ballistic missiles in nuke talks</a><h2>‘Voterless, illegal, unconstitutional’</h2>Meanwhile, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, called for the “cancellation of this voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election" on Thursday (Feb 12). In a statement, Hasina thanked voters for “boycotting and rejecting this election without the Awami League". By 2 in the afternoon, the voter turnout was recorded as less than 50 per cent, as per the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.&nbsp;“Today’s so-called election organised by Yunus, who took power through illegal and unconstitutional means, was essentially a carefully planned farce. Disregarding the people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the constitution, a deceptive election was arranged without the Awami League and without voters," she said.

Jamaat-e-Islami faces allegations of offering cash and religious incentives to influence voters in Bangladesh’s 2026 election, with reports claiming pamphlets promised Tk15,000 for proof of voting via photographed ballots.

As Bangladesh went to polls on Thursday (Feb 12) to choose its next government, one of the leading parties, Jamaat-e-Islami, came under scrutiny for allegedly attempting to buy votes through a combination of cash payments and religious appeals. The party promised the voters both money and “salvation from grave punishment" in exchange for their support. The Jamat coalition reportedly circulated pamphlets nationwide, in which the party pledged 15,000 taka (around $125) to voters who back the party and its leader, Shafiqur Rahman. Also read: ‘Voterless, illegal, unconstitutional’: Sheikh Hasina calls for ‘cancellation’ of Bangladesh election As per the documents accessed by NDTV, the leaflets instruct voters to photograph their stamped ballots as proof. The documents opened with “You must fulfil the promise of having all family members vote for the ‘Dari Palla’ (weighing scale) symbol. This promise will make your afterlife free of sin and grant salvation from grave punishment." Also read: ‘Did you torture her?’: Emails of Jeffrey Epstein and Martin Nowak reveal shocking details. All about ‘$6.5 million to Harvard’ and private travels The document also mentioned that the Jamaat workers have already collected voter ID numbers and mobile numbers linked to bKash, Bangladesh’s leading mobile financial service. Individuals who submit photographs as proof for voting for Shafiqur Rahman in the Dhaka-15 constituency will receive payment via bKash or cash, with some advance payment offered. “This leaflet must be kept completely secret, keeping the Great Allah as witness," it added. Also read: ‘Our missiles are not subject of negotiation, will not be’: Iran dismisses Trump’s desire to include Tehran ballistic missiles in nuke talks ‘Voterless, illegal, unconstitutional’ Meanwhile, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, called for the “cancellation of this voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election" on Thursday (Feb 12). In a statement, Hasina thanked voters for “boycotting and rejecting this election without the Awami League". By 2 in the afternoon, the voter turnout was recorded as less than 50 per cent, as per the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. “Today’s so-called election organised by Yunus, who took power through illegal and unconstitutional means, was essentially a carefully planned farce. Disregarding the people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the constitution, a deceptive election was arranged without the Awami League and without voters," she said.

Jamaat-e-Islami faces allegations of offering cash and religious incentives to influence voters in Bangladesh’s 2026 election, with reports claiming pamphlets promised Tk15,000 for proof of voting via photographed ballots.

‘Afterlife free of sin’: Shafiqur Rahman’s party offers religious promises, $125 in bribes to Bangladesh voters in ‘secret’ pamphlet

The Dhaka Police's counterterrorism unit has received a seven-day remand to interrogate Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman in their custody.

Bangladesh arrests head of largest Muslim party Shafiqur Rahman

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Bangladesh political row deepens as Jamaat chief, Shafiqur Rahman, questions president Mohammed Shahabuddin over Sheikh Hasina's resignation

Jamaat chief who compared working women to prostitutes, wins Dhaka-15 seat

Shafiqur Rahman’s party offers bribe to Bangladesh voters in ‘secret’ pamphlet

Bangladesh arrests head of largest Muslim party Shafiqur Rahman